Tugboat Job Descriptions
Job descriptions for tugboats may differ with the size of the vessel. A large ocean
going tug may have a hierarchy of junior deck officers and junior engineering officers
reporting to the captain and chief engineer, respectively. However on the more
commonly seen smaller tugs, the job descriptions include the following:
Captain The captain is also sometimes called the “master” in some ads. However,
master is generally regarded as the type of Coast Guard license held by a captain. A
captain is ultimately responsible for the vessel and her crew. A tugboat is a high
value asset with a price tag in the millions. And the price tag of a crewmember is
priceless. The captain is therefore responsible for the safe and economical
operation of the vessel. The qualifications sought by tugboat companies can vary
according to the vessel and fleet. Some companies may seek experience in z-drives,
some may prefer familiarity with a certain body of water. A tugboat captain is
expected to possess managerial and leadership skills in addition to competence in
navigation, seamanship and towing operations. There are a number of possible
combinations of tonnage and endorsements that appear out there.
However, these are the USCG license qualifications generally sought:
▪ 100 Ton Master
▪ 200 Ton Master
▪ 500 Ton Master
▪ 1600 Ton Master
Other requirements may include towing endorsements, ocean endorsements,
GMDSS and STCW 95.
Mate The mate reports directly to the captain. Depending on the vessel, the mate
handles or oversees vessel navigation, vessel docking operations, ship assist
operations, ship and barge towing operations, deck crew operations and command
of the vessel where directed by the master. Sometimes, the duties of the mate may
be more supervisory while the captain may have to be concerned with more
executive decisions. Again, this can depend on the size of the tug and the manner in
which the tug company chooses to manage its vessels and personnel. The USCG
qualifications generally sought for mate positions include:
▪ 100 Ton Mate
▪ 200 Ton Mate
▪ 500 Ton Mate
▪ 1600 Ton Mate
Other requirements may include towing endorsements, ocean endorsements,
GMDSS and STCW 95.
Able Bodied Seaman, or Able Seaman The able seaman, or AB, carries out job
assignments given out by the captain or mate. This includes ship assist or barge
towing operations. May require STCW 95.
Deckhand The deckhand carries out job assignments given out by the captain or
mate. This includes ship assist or barge towing operations. May require STCW 95.
Chief Engineer The chief engineer, or chief, is in charge of the operation and
maintenance of a tugboat’s main engines, loading of fuel and cargo, auxiliary
machinery and engineering crew. In addition to the main engineers, the chief
engineer is responsible for diesel polishing systems, fuel service and transfer
systems, generator sets, electrical distribution system, hydraulic systems,
compressed air systems, sanitation systems, service water, heating and air
conditioning plant, watermaking unit and other auxiliaries. However, these are the
USCG license qualifications generally sought:
▪ Chief Engineer Limited
▪ Chief Engineer Unlimited
Designated Duty Engineer The designated duty engineer reports to the chief and
assists in the operation of engines, auxiliaries and other ship systems. However,
these are the USCG license qualifications generally sought:
▪ Designated Duty Engineer
Tankerman The tankerman carries out cargo loading and discharging operations,
spill response, and duties associated with tank entry.
QMED QMED, or qualified member of the engine department, carries out tasks
assigned by the chief or DDE in the engine department.
Other requirements may include STCW 95.
Cook, Chief Cook The cook prepares food for the crew and arranges for purchasing
of ship’s food stores
Steward, Chief Steward Depending on the vessel, the cook may be identified as
steward.
Trainee Entry level position for working one’s way up towards qualified deckhand
Some of the shoreside positions that arise include:
Port Engineer This is a shoreside position. The port engineer is responsible for the
maintenance of the tugboat fleet. He or she is expected to carry out necessary
diagnostic, trouble shooting, and preventive maintenance measures to ensure
proper operation and longevity of a tugboat’s most expensive mechanical asset, its
machinery. The ideal candidates are usually experienced diesel mechanics with
marine watchstanding experience. Some tug fleets will seek candidates who have
obtained factory certification for a particular powertrain, such as Caterpillars, General
Motors or EMD’s. In addition to marine diesel engines, the more a port engineer
knows about ship systems, the better he or she will be at carrying out the job. This
includes ship’s electrical systems, sanitation systems, compressed air, firefighting
and other auxiliaries. Basic computer skills will enhance abilities with spare parts
inventory, carrying out preventive maintenance timetable, maintaining oil analysis
results, and searching for trouble shooting resources on-line. Basic mathematical
skills are necessary in reading decimals and taking measurements.
Dispatcher This is a shoreside position. The dispatcher is responsible for
assigning tugboats to jobs. The dispatcher is needs to understand the logistics of
vessels traveling to and from a job, understands which tugs and crews are best
suited for which jobs, and current weather and tide conditions for the waters in which
the tugs operate. A dispatcher understands the strengths and limitations of all the
boats in the fleets, including their horsepower, crew experience, enhanced
maneuvering capabilities.
Copyright 2006 - Copyright Warning
Rights reserved - U.S. Copyright Law Carries Criminal & Civil Penalties for
Infringement - 17 U.S.C. § 506 and 18 U.S.C. § 2319
Job descriptions for tugboats may differ with the size of the vessel. A large ocean
going tug may have a hierarchy of junior deck officers and junior engineering officers
reporting to the captain and chief engineer, respectively. However on the more
commonly seen smaller tugs, the job descriptions include the following:
Captain The captain is also sometimes called the “master” in some ads. However,
master is generally regarded as the type of Coast Guard license held by a captain. A
captain is ultimately responsible for the vessel and her crew. A tugboat is a high
value asset with a price tag in the millions. And the price tag of a crewmember is
priceless. The captain is therefore responsible for the safe and economical
operation of the vessel. The qualifications sought by tugboat companies can vary
according to the vessel and fleet. Some companies may seek experience in z-drives,
some may prefer familiarity with a certain body of water. A tugboat captain is
expected to possess managerial and leadership skills in addition to competence in
navigation, seamanship and towing operations. There are a number of possible
combinations of tonnage and endorsements that appear out there.
However, these are the USCG license qualifications generally sought:
▪ 100 Ton Master
▪ 200 Ton Master
▪ 500 Ton Master
▪ 1600 Ton Master
Other requirements may include towing endorsements, ocean endorsements,
GMDSS and STCW 95.
Mate The mate reports directly to the captain. Depending on the vessel, the mate
handles or oversees vessel navigation, vessel docking operations, ship assist
operations, ship and barge towing operations, deck crew operations and command
of the vessel where directed by the master. Sometimes, the duties of the mate may
be more supervisory while the captain may have to be concerned with more
executive decisions. Again, this can depend on the size of the tug and the manner in
which the tug company chooses to manage its vessels and personnel. The USCG
qualifications generally sought for mate positions include:
▪ 100 Ton Mate
▪ 200 Ton Mate
▪ 500 Ton Mate
▪ 1600 Ton Mate
Other requirements may include towing endorsements, ocean endorsements,
GMDSS and STCW 95.
Able Bodied Seaman, or Able Seaman The able seaman, or AB, carries out job
assignments given out by the captain or mate. This includes ship assist or barge
towing operations. May require STCW 95.
Deckhand The deckhand carries out job assignments given out by the captain or
mate. This includes ship assist or barge towing operations. May require STCW 95.
Chief Engineer The chief engineer, or chief, is in charge of the operation and
maintenance of a tugboat’s main engines, loading of fuel and cargo, auxiliary
machinery and engineering crew. In addition to the main engineers, the chief
engineer is responsible for diesel polishing systems, fuel service and transfer
systems, generator sets, electrical distribution system, hydraulic systems,
compressed air systems, sanitation systems, service water, heating and air
conditioning plant, watermaking unit and other auxiliaries. However, these are the
USCG license qualifications generally sought:
▪ Chief Engineer Limited
▪ Chief Engineer Unlimited
Designated Duty Engineer The designated duty engineer reports to the chief and
assists in the operation of engines, auxiliaries and other ship systems. However,
these are the USCG license qualifications generally sought:
▪ Designated Duty Engineer
Tankerman The tankerman carries out cargo loading and discharging operations,
spill response, and duties associated with tank entry.
QMED QMED, or qualified member of the engine department, carries out tasks
assigned by the chief or DDE in the engine department.
Other requirements may include STCW 95.
Cook, Chief Cook The cook prepares food for the crew and arranges for purchasing
of ship’s food stores
Steward, Chief Steward Depending on the vessel, the cook may be identified as
steward.
Trainee Entry level position for working one’s way up towards qualified deckhand
Some of the shoreside positions that arise include:
Port Engineer This is a shoreside position. The port engineer is responsible for the
maintenance of the tugboat fleet. He or she is expected to carry out necessary
diagnostic, trouble shooting, and preventive maintenance measures to ensure
proper operation and longevity of a tugboat’s most expensive mechanical asset, its
machinery. The ideal candidates are usually experienced diesel mechanics with
marine watchstanding experience. Some tug fleets will seek candidates who have
obtained factory certification for a particular powertrain, such as Caterpillars, General
Motors or EMD’s. In addition to marine diesel engines, the more a port engineer
knows about ship systems, the better he or she will be at carrying out the job. This
includes ship’s electrical systems, sanitation systems, compressed air, firefighting
and other auxiliaries. Basic computer skills will enhance abilities with spare parts
inventory, carrying out preventive maintenance timetable, maintaining oil analysis
results, and searching for trouble shooting resources on-line. Basic mathematical
skills are necessary in reading decimals and taking measurements.
Dispatcher This is a shoreside position. The dispatcher is responsible for
assigning tugboats to jobs. The dispatcher is needs to understand the logistics of
vessels traveling to and from a job, understands which tugs and crews are best
suited for which jobs, and current weather and tide conditions for the waters in which
the tugs operate. A dispatcher understands the strengths and limitations of all the
boats in the fleets, including their horsepower, crew experience, enhanced
maneuvering capabilities.
Copyright 2006 - Copyright Warning
Rights reserved - U.S. Copyright Law Carries Criminal & Civil Penalties for
Infringement - 17 U.S.C. § 506 and 18 U.S.C. § 2319
| Tugboat Job Descriptions |
Bouchard Transportation 58 South Service Rd Melville, New York, 11747 Brusco Tug & Barge Columbia River Longview, WA Crowley Maritime 155 Grand Avenue Oakland, CA 94612 510 251 7500 Donjon Marine 1250 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, New Jersey 07205 Foss Maritime Company 660 W. Ewing Street Seattle, WA 98119 Great Lakes Group 4500 Division Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44102-2228 K-Sea Transportation 3245 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, NY 10303 McAllister Towing 17 Battery Pl - Suite 1200 New York, New York 10004 Moran Towing Corporate Office 50 Locust Avenue New Canaan, CT 06840 Reinauer Transportation 1983 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, NY 10302 Roehrig Maritime L.L.C. One School Street Glen Cove, New York 11542 Stevens Towing Company4170 Highway 165 Yonges Island, SC 29449 Vane Brothers Company 2100 Frankfurst Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21226 Although we didn't notice employment pages at the time we visited, these are other companies that operate tugs in the United States: Island Tug and Barge Campbell Maritime Dana Tugs Fremont Tugboat Company Gaelic Towing |
| Maritime Jobs - Marine Jobs - Deckhands - Tankermen - Able Seaman - Maritime Jobs - Deck Engine - Employment in the Maritime Industry - Work on Ships - Yachts - Tugboats - Cruise Ships |
| U.S. Department of Labor - These are contact numbers for Dept of Labor Offices that maintain regional employment, unemployment, wage information. NEVADA - Carson City, NV - (775) 684-0387 NEW HAMPSHIRE - Concord, NH - (603) 228-4123 NEW JERSEY - Trenton, NJ 08625 - 609 292-0099 NEW MEXICO - Albuquerque, NM - (505) 222-4683 NEW YORK - Albany, NY - (518) 457-6369 NORTH CAROLINA - Raleigh, NC - (919) 733-2936 NORTH DAKOTA - Bismarck, ND - (701) 328-2868 OHIO - Columbus, OH - (614) 752-9494 OKLAHOMA - Oklahoma City, OK - (405) 557-7265 OREGON - Salem, OR - (503) 947-1212 PENNSYLVANIA - Harrisburg, PA - (717) 787-3266 PUERTO RICO Hato Rey, PR - (787) 754-5340 RHODE ISLAND - Cranston, RI - (401) 462-8767 SOUTH CAROLINA - Columbia, SC (803) 737-2660SOUTH DAKOTA - Aberdeen, SD - (605) 626-2314 TENNESSEE - Nashville, TN - (615) 741-2284 TEXAS - Austin, TX - UTAH - Salt Lake City, UT - (801) 526-9401 VERMONT - Montpelier, VT - (802) 828-4153 VIRGIN ISLANDS-Charlotte Aml, VI -340 776-3700 VIRGINIA - Richmond, VA - (804) 786-7496 WASHINGTON - Lacey, WA - (360) 438-4804 WEST VIRGINIA - Charleston, WV - (304) 558-2660 WISCONSIN - Madison, WI - (608) 267-2393 WYOMING - Casper, WY - (307) 473-3807 |
| U.S. Department of Labor - These are contact numbers for Dept of Labor Offices that maintain regional employment, unemployment, wage information. ALASKA - Juneau, AK - (907) 465-4518 ARIZONA - Phoenix, AZ - (602) 542-3871 ARKANSAS - Little Rock, AR - (501) 682-4500 CALIFORNIA - Sacramento, CA - (916) 262-2160 COLORADO - Denver, CO - (303) 318-8898 CONNECTICUT - Wethersfield, CT - (860) 263-6255 DELAWARE - Wilmington, DE - (302) 761-8052 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - (202) 671-1633 FLORIDA - Tallahassee, FL - (850) 488-1048 GEORGIA - Atlanta, GA - (404) 232-3875 GUAM - Tamuning, GU - (671) 475-7062 HAWAII - Honolulu, HI - (808) 586-8996 IDAHO - Boise, ID - (800) 772-2553 ILLINOIS - Chicago, IL - (312) 793-2316 INDIANA - Indianapolis, IN - (317) 232-7460 IOWA - Des Moines, IA - (515) 281-0255 KANSAS - Topeka, KS - (785) 296-5058 KENTUCKY - Frankfort, KY - (502) 564-7976 LOUISIANA - Baton Rouge, LA - (225) 342-3141 MAINE - Augusta, ME - (207) 287-2271 MARYLAND - Baltimore, MD - (410) 767-2250 MASSACHUSETTS - Boston, MA - (617) 626-6556 MICHIGAN - Detroit, MI - (313) 456-3090 MINNESOTA - St. Paul, MN - (651) 282-2714 MISSISSIPPI - Jackson, MS - (601) 321-6261 MISSOURI - Jefferson City, MO - (573) 751-3609 |
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Jobs on Tugboats
Tugboat Companies
Jobs on Tugboats
Tugboat Companies
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