Who is a boatman or woman and what do they do? The boatman/woman’s work task includes activities connected with steering and navigating the boat and other professional work on board boats.
What are the activities of the boatman or woman? These activities involve in particular specific work on deck (e.g. mooring boats with ropes, fastening of fully loaded vessels to sailing ships, stopping fully loaded vessels in lock chambers, handling of deck winches, etc., steering, handling and maintaining motor-boats and non-propelled freight barges, steering freight barges and tugboats, shipmaster’s responsibilities on tugboats in organising and managing of unloading water craft, a pilot’s responsibilities at specific sections of the most difficult routes.
Where is it done and under what conditions? This is done on board ships and boats under demanding conditions affected by frequently changing weather. There is shift work and frequent long periods working and living away from home.
What tools/equipment do the boatman or woman use? These are represented by the machinery and mechanisms of motor-powered boats, the equipment involved in handling and steering a boat, winches, and ropes. You will also need skilled and strong hands and agile legs.
What do you need to succeed? You need to have passed a special course and examination in navigation and steering boats, organisational abilities, fast reactions and judgement, some understanding for and interest in engineering, manual dexterity, physical aptitude and fitness.