Principal Maritime Transport Specialist

Skills at this level

Navigation and vessel handling

— Operates and navigates vessels safely through various waterways, following established routes and avoiding hazards, including managing challenges posed by weather and maritime regulations.

Cargo handling

— Manages the loading, unloading, and oversight of cargo operations between ship and shore.

Regulatory compliance

— Ensures compliance with maritime regulations, documentation requirements, and international and local maritime laws, reporting violations of federal or state pilotage laws.

Weather assessment

— Monitors and assesses weather conditions and forecasts to inform route decisions during vessel operations.

Vessel inspection and safety

— Inspects vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation and conformance to regulations, reading gauges to verify hydraulic fluid, air pressure, and oxygen levels, and maintaining lifesaving appliances.

Watch-keeping

— Performs watch duties including ensuring the vessel's stability condition, assisting the 1st Officer with ship safety, conducting mooring operations, and managing pilot transfers.

Port and berth operations

— Coordinates vessel scheduling, berth allocation, and cargo-handling equipment to manage the efficient movement of goods through cargo terminals.

STCW and ISM certifications

— Holds maritime safety and environmental-regulation certifications (STCW/ISM) that qualify the officer for watch-keeping and operational duties valued by most employers.

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

— Holds the federally mandated TSA credential granting water-transportation workers access to secure maritime facilities and vessels.

U.S. Coast Guard licensing

— Holds the valid U.S. Coast Guard license required to command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels such as tugboats and ferryboats.

ECDIS

— Uses the Electronic Chart Display and Information System to plan and monitor voyages, display electronic navigational charts, and track vessel position along the route.

GMDSS

— Operates the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System to handle distress alerting, safety communications, and coordination during maritime emergencies.

Transportation management software

— Uses transportation management software to plan, schedule, and track the movement of goods and personnel across maritime routes.

Hand-eye coordination

— Operates vessel steering and navigation controls while maintaining continuous awareness of surroundings and hazards.

Maritime consulting

— Provides expert advisory guidance to shipping companies, government agencies, and port authorities on regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and risk management.