The boating industry is booming and offers an exciting and challenging work environment in various fields. No matter if your skills are technical or creative, or if you just love traveling and meeting people, there’s a job for you.
Are you wondering what sort of careers exist in this sector? There may be a few you haven’t even thought of. So we compiled a list of 7 career options in the boating industry to help you find the right one for you.
Yacht Charters
Organizing yacht charters can be interesting and financially rewarding. While you may not be involved with the mechanical or maintenance side of things, you will be dealing with prospective clients on behalf of boat and yacht owners.
You will need a general knowledge of the types of vessels available. And you’ll be negotiating with boat owners and their clients, so people skills are a must. A fair amount of admin may be involved, but this is mostly done online. How involved you get with marketing is up to you and depends on your skills.
But bear in mind that certain areas are busier than others when it comes to tourism. If you offer an international service, including several types of vessels, you will need to consider this. For example, boat rentals in Miami Beach, the Bahamas, or the Greek isles, will always be popular.
Skipper
This is a very specialized career, and you will need to obtain a skipper license. But this service is in high demand, and you will have various career options to explore. Yacht charter services and guided boat tour services would make use of a skipper. You could also work at a part authority or for a sea rescue agency.
Depending on the type of vessels you want to pilot, you will have to take a specialized course and obtain your license. The course, much like a driver’s license, will include a practical component. And if you plan to offer your services internationally, you will need an international skipper’s license.
Guide For Boat Tours
This is a fantastic entryway into the world of boating. So if you adore the boating culture and want to meet lots of people, this is perfect for you. No technical skills are required if you are merely the guide on a skippered tour boat.
But it is essential that you have good people skills. You will also need to have a wide knowledge of the areas, attractions, and landmarks that feature on your tours. You could also work as a guide while studying tourism.
When dealing with tourists, it would also be advantageous if you speak various languages. Besides English and Spanish, you should preferably have basic proficiency in French or German.
Cruise Ship Crewmember
Do you dream of being able to travel the world? That dream can be a reality on a cruise ship. As a crewmember, you will be able to travel to far-off distant lands and meet all kinds of people.
It is usually required that you be multilingual. But the skills you need will depend on your specific duties on the ship. There are many different types of career options on a cruise ship. And each role will require a different set of skills.
Of course, you may work long hours and be out to sea for long periods of time. It can be a stressful work environment, and it’s not for everyone. But if you are young and single and want to travel while you work, this can be a very exciting career path to follow.
Boat Mechanic
As a boat repair mechanic, you will diagnose and repair mechanical issues with boats and perform general boat maintenance too. Most of the time, you will be working on diesel/gasoline boat engines and generators.
It’s not a glamorous job, but your services will be in high demand, and you could earn a good income. There are openings for boat mechanics in the leisure sector as well as the maritime transportation sector. But be prepared to work long hours and get your hands dirty.
Aside from the technical know-how, you will need general boating knowledge and problem-solving skills. If you enjoy working with tools, you’ll probably enjoy this job.
Yacht Detailer
Boat detailing involves the detailing and cleaning of yachts. This is a service that you will provide before they are delivered for charter clients, for display at yacht shows, or prior to storage. And it is an essential service, as keeping boats in tip-top condition helps them to last longer.
This includes cleaning boats, waxing and buffing their exteriors, and vacuuming the interiors. But while this is not the most technical job in the boating industry, it is a very important one. And you’ll get to mingle with the yacht-owning crowd.
If you are someone who takes pride in their work and excels in customer service, you will likely do well in this. And because you will be dealing with various professionals in the industry, this can be the springboard into other careers.
Marine Engineer
A marine engineer/designer builds and tests ships, boats, and other marine vessels. You will design anything from motorboats and yachts to fishing boats. You could also work with naval architects, designing submarines or aircraft carriers. There are so many niches within this field.
Their duties include the research, development, and construction of these vessels, as well as all their component parts. You will also create ship’s blueprints, design engines and propulsion systems, and test out new prototypes. A marine engineer is not the physical builder of the ship.He/she plans and supervises its construction.
Whether you design cruise ships and yachts or work for the military on battleships, you will need in-depth knowledge of navigation, steering, propulsion, and engines. A lot of the planning and simulation is done on specialized computer programs. So IT skills are a must, as well as excellent logic and technical skills.
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