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Harbor Master

Occupation Information table
Overview: Harbor masters direct and coordinate the activities of water harbor police, evaluate the performance of ship captains and crews and direct rescue operations in ship collisions. They confer with the Coast Guard to establish safety rules and also monitor ships for compliance with laws.
Duties: They plan water traffic patterns for incoming ships and outbound ships into a seaport or harbor. They evaluate new patterns for safety and avoidance of water hazards.

Advise harbor patrol police about boat and ship movements which can be considered as unsafe or illegal. They study complaints made by ship captains about other ships.

They decide what kinds of special Coast Guard approved signaling equipment can be installed in a harbor to assist ship captains to safely maneuver their ships.

They check out ships in ports for compliance with Coast Guard standards such as ships' instruments and controls, lights and crew qualifications.
Degree(s): A.S. Business Administration (Accounting and Marketing) 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 2% to 4% from 2018 to 2028, which is slightly slower than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $33,000 to $38,000
Green: Green Career
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: Educational requirements and licensing for this position are regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. To qualify for a license, applicants must have completed a program offered by state operated Merchant Marine Academies and pass a written examination. The academies offer an associate and a bachelor's degree program in nautical science.
Recommended Skills:
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Using mathematics and/or statistics to solve problems.
  • Being aware of the reactions of others, and understanding why they react the way they do.
  • Persuading, encouraging and motivating others to accept your ideas.
  • Ability to identify a problem, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement a solution.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
Recommended Values:
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
  • Having a job where you can spend a significant amount of time outside.
  • Having a routine job where the duties are very predictable and not likely to change over a long period of time.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.