What is Vessel Maintenance?
Vessel Maintenance is a routine process that requires adequate check-up, repair, and updating of the various parts of a vessel. The goal is to keep the vessel in good shape at all times to avoid unnecessary breakdowns and other challenges that might occur when the vessel is offshore. The maintenance process can range from changing its engine oil to painting its body and lubricating parts of the machinery prone to friction.
How is Vessel Maintenance used?
Zippia reviewed thousands of resumes to understand how vessel maintenance is used in different jobs. Explore the list of common job responsibilities related to vessel maintenance below:
- Oversee all preventative and regular vessel maintenance and supplies.
- Assisted Senior Captain in managing vessel maintenance and crew training.
- Managed daily factory operations, vessel maintenance, and catch integrity as the deck boss and factory foreman.
- Job Duties: Vessel maintenance and gear repair, Purse seine, catch and deliver salmon.
- Performed vessel maintenance to keep the vessel seaworthy.
- Operate Hydraulic winches during fishing operations Regular vessel maintenance and deck preservation.
Are Vessel Maintenance skills in demand?
Yes, vessel maintenance skills are in demand today. Currently, 130 job openings list vessel maintenance skills as a requirement. The job descriptions that most frequently include vessel maintenance skills are boat captain, commercial fisherman, and ordinary seaman.
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What jobs can you get with Vessel Maintenance skills?
You can get a job as a boat captain, commercial fisherman, and ordinary seaman with vessel maintenance skills. After analyzing resumes and job postings, we identified these as the most common job titles for candidates with vessel maintenance skills.
Boat Captain
Job description:
A boat captain is primarily in charge of spearheading and overseeing boat operations and managing staff, ensuring efficient operations for a safe and successful voyage. With their years of experience, they have the authority to develop and implement strategies, delegate responsibilities among staff, conduct safety inspections before and after every journey, direct maintenance strategies, implement solutions if issues arise, and make significant decisions. In larger sea vessels, a boat captain may also act as the host and welcome passengers, communicating with them regularly throughout the journey.
- Vessel Maintenance
- Boats
- CPR
- USCG
- Safety Drills
- Safety Training
Commercial Fisherman
- Safety Procedures
- Vessel Maintenance
- Hydraulic Systems
- Deck Hand
- RAN
- Hoisting
Ordinary Seaman
Job description:
Ordinary seamen are nautical trainees who perform assigned deck jobs such as cleaning the ship, collecting and disposing of garbage, and maintaining various types of ship equipment. These ordinary seamen must assist in the movement of cargo on and off the ship by storing and securing them. They must assist the superior seaman or officers in any aspect of the ship's operation and maintenance. Ordinary seamen must also stand guard both in port and at sea whenever the situation demands.
- Vessel Maintenance
- Safety Equipment
- Ladders
- TWIC
- Mooring Lines
- Stcw
Mate
Job description:
A Mate is the seafaring captain's assistant in charge of the ship's welfare and crew on board. The Chief Mate is responsible for leading the team. They stabilize vessel cargo operations as well as deck crew supervision. The Second Mate focuses on navigation aspects such as updating publications and charts, directing line handlers and anchor detail, and training crew members. The Third Mate is a junior qualified watch-stander focusing on ensuring aspects of safety. Their responsibilities include ensuring equipment on board, including lifeboats and gear locker, is safe and operational.
- Safety Equipment
- Vessel Maintenance
- Mates
- Management System
- DP
- Groceries
Deckhand
Job description:
A deckhand is a seafarer whose role primarily revolves around performing manual tasks, mostly directed by a manager or higher authority. They are mainly responsible for maintaining cleanliness, keeping the machines well-oiled and in good condition, handling cargo, and operating various equipment for navigation and communication. There are also instances when a deckhand can prepare meals, serve clients, and even prepare cabins. Furthermore, a deckhand needs to coordinate with fellow seafarers at all times, as working in a ship can be very unpredictable.
- TWIC
- Vessel Maintenance
- Mooring Lines
- Ladders
- Customer Service
- USCG
How much can you earn with Vessel Maintenance skills?
You can earn up to $43,632 a year with vessel maintenance skills if you become a boat captain, the highest-paying job that requires vessel maintenance skills. Commercial fishermen can earn the second-highest salary among jobs that use Python, $51,584 a year.
| Job title | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Captain | $43,632 | $21 |
| Commercial Fisherman | $51,584 | $25 |
| Ordinary Seaman | $52,664 | $25 |
| First Mate | $35,819 | $17 |
| Mate | $38,913 | $19 |
Companies using Vessel Maintenance in 2025
The top companies that look for employees with vessel maintenance skills are Centerline Logistics, American Commercial Lines, and State Fair of Louisiana. In the millions of job postings we reviewed, these companies mention vessel maintenance skills most frequently.
| Rank | Company | % of all skills | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centerline Logistics | 30% | 24 |
| 2 | American Commercial Lines | 26% | 34 |
| 3 | State Fair of Louisiana | 9% | 709 |
| 4 | Enterprise Products Partners | 4% | 62 |
| 5 | Leidos | 4% | 4,932 |
Departments using Vessel Maintenance
| Department | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Non Profit/Government | $61,997 |
| Plant/Manufacturing | $56,292 |