Where Can I Find a Job with my Captain’s License?

The best way to find employment in the marine industry is by networking and word of mouth! Most of the jobs you would want are not advertised, so it is important to know the right people in the industry.  

Boat brokers and dealers are an excellent source for finding delivery/instructor work. This is because they are familiar with the industry and have a wide range of influences. Customers may need assistance with boat delivery upon purchase, which you can offer! Once delivered, clients may request lessons from a licensed captain. 

You can work as a deckhand/mate, which allows you to become familiar with ports and marinas in your area. You can earn the right to move in the wheelhouse and operate the vessel as the captain.  

Keep reading below to learn about all the exciting paths you can take with your captain’s license. Some of them will be through other companies, or you may decide to open your own business!  

You may be wondering why you should get a captain’s license in the first place. Here are a few opportunities more that exist for aspiring captains: 

• Run a fishing charter 
• Sunset cruise 
• Reduce the cost of insurance 
• Brush up on their skills/knowledge 

Check out this blog on “Benefits of Earning a USCG Captain’s License.” 

Obtaining a captain's license can open many doors for employment. There are a variety of commercial jobs that are highly sought after. Here are some of those jobs:  

• Yacht Delivery: The cost of transporting a boat more than 8 feet wide by land can be very high, making boat delivery by water an attractive solution.
• Sea Trials: Many boats brokers and dealers use licensed captains to conduct sea trials on behalf of potential buyers. 

• Fishing Boats: For-hire that charge per person is known in the industry as head boats or party boats and can be lucrative operations. 
• Water Taxi: Great way to get your foot in the door. While not the highest paying opportunity, water taxi operations always look for extra captains.
• Instructor: Many people who purchase boats have no idea how to operate them safely. Experienced captains can give new boat owners the necessary knowledge and skill.  

It's important to remember that no matter how much experience you have, most employers want to get to know their captains before allowing passengers' lives to be under your command. 

As the economy and tourism continue to grow, there will be more employment opportunities for licensed captains! The Bureau of Labor predicts that overall employment of water transportation workers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. 

About 8,400 openings for water transportation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retire. 

If you want to know more about obtaining a captain's license, call one of our licensing specialists today, M-F, 9 a.m. –5 p.m. EST. (609)303-0664 OR check out our courses here!