Agriculture & EnvironmentISCO 6223
Fisheries boatmaster
A fisheries boatmaster is a person who commands a fishing vessel in inshore waters, running operations both on deck and in the engine room.
Check yourself in a minute: fisheries boatmaster
Rate 5 of the 45 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
work in outdoor conditions
assess trim of vessels
preserve fish products
provide first aid
use water navigation devices
About fisheries boatmaster
The boatmaster schedules fishing, choosing the ground, the time of sailing and the gear, and controls navigation while fishing inside the designated areas, in line with national and international fisheries legislation. They ensure the vessel's compliance with regulations: documents, lifesaving equipment and the working condition of machinery. Once the gear is hauled, the boatmaster is responsible for preserving fish products on board by chilling, salting or freezing.
The boatmaster secures cargo during stowage, placing it in the hold so that it cannot shift in a sea and alter the vessel's stability. Before every departure the boatmaster assesses risk factors and hazards: the weather, the state of the gear, the crew available and how tired they are.
Training staff is part of command, showing how to haul gear, how to work a winch and what to do when someone goes over the side. The boatmaster also needs knowledge of the fishing sector: species, seasons, quotas and the market a catch goes to. Certificates of competency for commanding a fishing vessel and the sea training required are set by national maritime rules.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (45)
fisheries managementfisheries managementThe principles, methods and equipment used in population management applied to fisheries: the concept of catch, by-catch, fishing effort, maximum sustainable yield, different sampling methods and how ...fishing industryfishing industryThe business model of the fishing industry, including recreational, subsistence and commercial fishing, and the harvesting, processing, and marketing sectors.international regulations for preventing collisions at seainternational regulations for preventing collisions at seaFundamental aspects of the international regulations to prevent collisions at sea, such as the conduct of vessels in sight of one another, navigation lights and markers, major light and accoustic sign...fishing gearfishing gearIdentification of the different gear used in capture fisheries and their functional capacity.assessment of risks and threatsassessment of risks and threatsThe security documentation and any security-related communications and information.code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheriescode of Conduct for Responsible FisheriesFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the guidelines established for professional fishers.International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsInternational Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsThe fundamental principals and requirements laid in the International Regulation for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil, Regulations fo...deterioration of fish productsdeterioration of fish productsProcess of decomposition and spoilage of fish products: physical, enzymatic, microbiological and chemical processes occurring after harvesting.vessel safety equipmentvessel safety equipmentSafety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc, and how these must be operated during emergency situations.fisheries legislationfisheries legislationThe study and analysis of different fisheries management approaches taking into account international treaties and industry norms in order to analyze fisheries management regulations.maritime meteorologymaritime meteorologyThe scientific field of study that interprets meteorological information and applies it to ensure the safety of marine traffic.fishing vesselsfishing vesselsDenomination of the different elements and equipment of fishing vessels.risks associated with undertaking fishing operationsrisks associated with undertaking fishing operationsGeneral risks occuring when working on fishing boats and specific risks occurring only in some fishing modalities. Prevention of threats and accidents.Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety SystemThe internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.quality of fish productsquality of fish productsFactors affecting the quality of fish products. For instance, differences between species, impact of the fishing gears and parasite influence on the preservation of quality.provide on-board safety trainingprovide on-board safety trainingDevelop and implement on-board safety training programmes.work in outdoor conditionswork in outdoor conditionsCan cope with the different climate conditions such as heat, rain, cold or in strong wind.assess trim of vesselsassess trim of vesselsAssess the trim stability of vessels, referring to the stability of a vessel while it is in a static condition.preserve fish productspreserve fish productsPlace and classify fish products for proper conservation. Maintain suitable conditions for the conservation of fishery products.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.prepare safety exercises on shipsprepare safety exercises on shipsPlan and perform regular safety exercises on passenger and commercial ships; maximise safety in potentially dangerous situations.use water navigation devicesuse water navigation devicesUtilise water navigation devices, e.g. compass or sextant, or navigational aids such as lighthouses or buoys, radar, satellite, and computer systems, in order to navigate vessels on waterways. Work wi...extinguish firesextinguish firesChoose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.secure cargo in stowagesecure cargo in stowageSecure cargo stowage with basic knowledge of stowing methods; ensure efficient and safe transport of goods.undertake navigation safety actionsundertake navigation safety actionsRecognise unsafe situations and perform follow-up actions according to the safety regulations. Immediately warn ship management. Use personal protective and rescue equipment.assess stability of vesselsassess stability of vesselsAssess the two kinds of stability of vessels, namely transversal and longitudinal.communicate using the global maritime distress and safety systemcommunicate using the global maritime distress and safety systemSend an alert in case of distress, using any of the various GMDSS radio systems such that the alert has a very high probability of being received by either shore rescue authorities and/or other vessel...prevent sea pollutionprevent sea pollutionOrganize and monitor environment protection applying the regulations for pollution prevention at sea.estimate fishery statusestimate fishery statusRecognize the basic biological data to estimate the status of a fishery: Recognize the captured species by simple ocular observation and compare the amount and size of catches to those of previous per...manage ship emergency plansmanage ship emergency plansOrganize and manage emergency operations, flooding, abandoning ship, survival at sea, search and rescue of shipwrecked, according to the ship's emergency plans, to ensure the safety.apply fishing maneuvresapply fishing maneuvresRun shooting and hauling gear operations for its optimal performance, complying with the regulations for a responsible fish and with the security measures.survive at sea in the event of ship abandonmentsurvive at sea in the event of ship abandonmentIdentify muster signals and what emergencies they signal. Comply with established procedures. Don and use a lifejacket or an immersion suit. Safely jump into the water from a height. Swim and right an...ensure vessel compliance with regulationsensure vessel compliance with regulationsInspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.conduct water navigationconduct water navigationEnsure that a vessel carries up to date and adequate charts and appropriate nautical documents. Lead the process of preparing the voyage report, the vessel passage plan, daily position reports, and th...manage cargo handlingmanage cargo handlingManage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Organize stowing and unstowing of products to guarantee the stability of the vessel.coordinate fish handling operationscoordinate fish handling operationsOrganise fish handling operations to avoid fish products deterioration. Check the cleanliness of the deck and fishing hole before loading and manipulation. Control that the headless, gutted, washed an...recognise abnormalities on boardrecognise abnormalities on boardIdentify anomalies and abnormalities on board, evaluate them, and take appropriate actions to restore normal operation of ship. Check all (safety) systems for operational functions. Organise actions t...evaluate schools of fishevaluate schools of fishInterpret the information provided by electronic equipment and other aid about fisheries to evaluate the characteristics of a school of fish.schedule fishingschedule fishingDesign and implement more effective fishing manoeuvres; given the meteorological conditions and the extractive system.maintain safe navigation watchesmaintain safe navigation watchesObserve principles in keeping a navigation watch. Take over, accept and pass on a watch. Steer the vessel and perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Observe emergency procedures and safety ...support vessel manoeuvressupport vessel manoeuvresParticipate in manoeuvres at port: berthing, anchoring and other mooring operations. Contribute to a safe navigational watch.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...swimswimMove through water by means of the limbs.operate ship propulsion systemoperate ship propulsion systemPerform start-up and subsequent observation of the working parameters of the ship's propulsion system. Check the operating parameters of electric generators in the switchboard, power sources and elect...operate ship rescue machineryoperate ship rescue machineryOperate rescue boats and survival craft. Launch the boats as required and operate their equipment. Take care of survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship. Use electronic devices to track and ...
Optional (22) — show
vessel points of sailvessel points of sailPoints of sail describing the orientation of a vessel in relation to the direction of the wind.communicate verbal instructionscommunicate verbal instructionsCommunicate transparent instructions. Ensure that messages are understood and followed correctly.compose stowage planscompose stowage plansCompose stowage plans; knowledge of ballast systems and cargo loading process.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.respond to changing situations in fisheryrespond to changing situations in fisheryAct decisive and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in fishery.coordinate passengerscoordinate passengersMeet with cruise ship passengers to help organise them for off-vessel excursions. Guide guests on excursions, such as sport fishing, hikes, and beachcombing. Assist with embarking and disembarking gue...maintain logbooksmaintain logbooksMaintain the required logbooks according to practice and in established formats.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.communicate clearly with passengerscommunicate clearly with passengersSpeak clearly in addressing travellers; communicate information related to their itinerary. Make announcements to passengers upon approaching the prescribed destination.ensure passenger comfortensure passenger comfortEnsure the safety and comfort of train passengers; help passengers to get on and off the train using any mechanical aids as necessary. Respond to passengers requests and pursue maximum customer satisf...prepare fishing equipmentprepare fishing equipmentDispose fishing gear and ship's deck for successful extraction activities. Coordinate the crew in this operation.communicate in an outdoor settingcommunicate in an outdoor settingCommunicate with participants in more than one language of the European Union; handle a crisis following guidelines and recognise the importance of proper behaviour in crisis situations.coordinate communication during mine emergenciescoordinate communication during mine emergenciesDirect and coordinate communication procedures during emergencies. Instruct callers appropriately, and keep them informed of any rescue effort. Alert and dispatch rescue personnel to emergency calls a...handle challenging situations in fishery operationshandle challenging situations in fishery operationsCope with and face harsh circumstance at sea by keeping pre-set goals and deadlines in mind. Tackle frustations such as the loss of revenue and catch.provide information to passengersprovide information to passengersProvide passengers with correct information in a polite and efficient manner; use proper etiquette to assist physically challenged travellers.cope with challenging circumstances in the fishery sectorcope with challenging circumstances in the fishery sectorAdapt to changing circumstances in a positive way and stay calm under stressful situations while performing fishery operations.work in a multicultural environment in fisherywork in a multicultural environment in fisheryInteract and communicate with individuals and groups from different cultures and backgrounds in fishery operations.use maritime Englishuse maritime EnglishCommunicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.read stowage plansread stowage plansRead and comprehend content of stowage plans to stow various types of cargo.measure water depthmeasure water depthMeasure the depths of a body of water by using depth measuring equipment such as a depth gauge.be friendly to passengersbe friendly to passengersEngage with passengers according to the expectations of contemporary social behaviour, the specific situation, and the code of conduct of the organisation. Communicate in a polite and clear way.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a fisheries boatmaster do?
Fisheries boatmasters operate fishing vessels in coastal waters performing operations at the deck and engine. They control the navigation as well as capture and conservation of fish within the established boundaries in compliance with national and international regulations.
What skills does a fisheries boatmaster need?
A fisheries boatmaster needs 45 essential skills, including fisheries management, fishing industry, international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, fishing gear, assessment of risks and threats.
Will AI replace fisheries boatmaster jobs?
The AI disruption score for fisheries boatmaster is 23/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: monitor stock level, maintain logbooks, manage budgets. Most resilient: deterioration of fish products, work in outdoor conditions, swim.
AI Replacement Risk
23/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupMarket-oriented skilled forestry, fishery and hunting workers
Essential Skills45
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