EducationTeaching professionalsISCO 2320
maritime instructor
Maritime instructors teach all those occupationally piloting a boat or a ship, such as skippers and ship captains, how to operate their inland water boats or maritime ships according to regulations. They teach their students theory and techniques on how to optimally pilot, steer and navigate, and maintain their specific boat or ship, observe and evaluate the students' practice. They also focus on non-steering related subjects such as customer service (in case of person transportation) and safety measure regulations.
About maritime instructor
As a maritime instructor, you will prepare the next generation of maritime professionals by teaching skippers, ship captains, and boat operators how to safely and efficiently pilot vessels according to international regulations and maritime standards. Your instruction covers both technical competencies—such as navigation, steering, and vessel maintenance—and essential non-technical skills like safety protocols, customer service, and emergency response. You will assess student performance, provide constructive feedback, and stay current with evolving maritime technology and regulatory requirements, ensuring your students are fully prepared to handle the responsibilities and challenges of operating modern vessels at sea.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a maritime instructor.
1
Curriculum Development and Lesson Preparation
- Prepare lesson content aligned with curriculum objectives and regulations
- Develop instructional materials for maritime theory and practical techniques
- Stay up-to-date with maritime transportation technology and regulations
2
Theoretical Instruction
- Teach boating and navigation principles and international maritime regulations
- Instruct on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)
- Cover health and safety measures and vessel safety equipment
- Teach Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) operations
3
Practical Training and Assessment
- Conduct practical training sessions on vessel operation and navigation
- Observe and evaluate student performance during practice exercises
- Assess student competency using assessment processes and standards
- Provide constructive feedback and guidance for improvement
4
Safety and Emergency Response Training
- Teach health and safety measures and emergency procedures
- Instruct on proper use of marine communication systems and GMDSS
- Train students to recognize abnormalities on board and respond appropriately
- Teach weather analysis and decision-making in adverse conditions
5
Technical Expertise and Specialized Knowledge
- Teach vessel-specific operations and maintenance procedures
- Distinguish and explain various types of ships and their characteristics
- Provide instruction on geographic areas and navigation specifics
6
Student Support and Development
- Adapt teaching strategies to accommodate different student capabilities
- Assist students in their learning journey and professional development
- Monitor developments in maritime field and communicate updates to students
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (21)
geographic areasgeographic areasThe detailed knowledge of a geographical area where different organisations carry out operations.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...assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...health and safety measures in transportationhealth and safety measures in transportationThe body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.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.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.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.monitor developments in field of expertisemonitor developments in field of expertiseKeep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.teach boating principlesteach boating principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of piloting a boat, more specifically in courses such as water navigation, boating knots, overboard recoveries, and docking.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...operate marine communication systemsoperate marine communication systemsOperate on board marine communication systems. Communicate with other ships or with on-shore control centre e.g. to send urgent messages concerning safety. Transmit or receive alerts, etc.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...stay up-to-date with maritime transportation technologystay up-to-date with maritime transportation technologyGather information about the current trends in maritime transportation technology and stay up-to-date with the latest findings in the field. Apply this knowledge in operations and decision-making whil...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...analyse weather forecastanalyse weather forecastAnalyse weather forecasts and the information provided on meteorological conditions, such as wind forces, atmospheric structures, clouds, and visibility. Constantly monitor weather conditions to maint...give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...distinguish various types of shipsdistinguish various types of shipsRecognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport. Understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...
Optional (21)
learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.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...guide ships into docksguide ships into docksSafely guide a ship into a dock and anchor it.use meteorological informationuse meteorological informationUse and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.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...facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.supervise movement of crewsupervise movement of crewOversee embarkation and disembarkation of crew members. Ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.supervise movement of passengerssupervise movement of passengersOversee embarking and disembarking of travellers; ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.ensure vessel securityensure vessel securityEnsure that security requirements for vessels are met according to legal norms. Check if the security equipment is in place and operational. Communicate with marine engineers to ensure that the techni...prepare lifeboatsprepare lifeboatsPrepare lifeboats in ships before departure, ensure full functionality in case of emergency, follow regulatory instructions for lifesaving boats.prepare deck equipmentprepare deck equipmentHandle a wide assortment of deck equipment, including waterproof marine doors, hatches, winches, pumps, cleats, fairleads, portlights, shackles, swivels, tank top covers, anchors, and bollards. Prepar...manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.conduct on board safety inspectionsconduct on board safety inspectionsConduct on board safety inspections; identify and remove potential threats to the physical integrity of the ship crew.adapt training to labour marketadapt training to labour marketIdentify developments in the labour market and recognise their relevance to the training of students.perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.assist in maritime rescue operationsassist in maritime rescue operationsProvide assistance during maritime rescue operations.operate mechanical equipment of shipsoperate mechanical equipment of shipsOperate mechanical equipment on vessels; communicate with engineers if failures occur or should repairs be required during a voyage.customer servicecustomer serviceProcesses and principles related to the customer, client, service user and to personal services; these may include procedures to evaluate customer's or service user's satisfaction.plot shipping navigation routesplot shipping navigation routesPlot the navigation route of a vessel under the review of a superior deck officer. Operate a ship radar or electronic charts and automatic identification system.
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