20 Jobs in the Boating Industry (Plus Job Duties)

There are several jobs within the boating industry for people who enjoy boating, fishing or water. These careers include building and repairing ships, along with sailing and operating machinery on a ship. If you’re interested in the boating industry, then it might benefit you to learn about the various careers in this field. In this article, we discuss 20 jobs in the boating industry, including their national average salaries and primary job duties.

20 jobs in the boating industry

Here are 20 jobs in the boating industry for you to consider:

1. Service writer

Primary duties: A service writer in the boating industry is a liaison between customers and technicians when the customer needs to repair their boat. They take the customer’s needs and make them into work orders for the technician. They also give customers quotes and bills for the repairs. Some of their other job duties include answering customers’ questions and updating customers on their boats.

2. Tour guide

Primary duties: A tour guide in the boating industry takes a group of people on a boat ride around a specific location. They operate the boat and transport customers to different sites around the tourist area. They’re usually well-informed about the area so they can educate the tourists during the ride. Tour guides also answer questions that the customers have.

3. Welder

Primary duties: A welder is a professional who joins materials together using heat. Welders in the boating industry use fabrication to build or repair boats. Some of their responsibilities include reading blueprints, maintaining equipment and checking their work for mistakes. Boat welders also ensure that their welding can tolerate the pressure underwater.

4. Retail sales associate

Primary duties: A retail sales associate is responsible for helping customers buy products at a store. At a boating store, a retail sales associate might recommend bait, tackle, life jackets or anchors to customers. Some of their other duties include improving store sales, greeting customers, cross-selling products and cleaning the store.

5. Marine technician

Primary duties: A marine technician is a professional who repairs mechanical and electrical parts of a ship. They might install, maintain or repair mechanical systems on the boat. Marine technicians may also give clients recommendations on boat modifications. Their other duties include testing marine engines, diagnosing parts, fixing plumbing and documenting repairs.

6. Builder

Primary duties: A builder in the boating industry develops and creates boats. They might design and create leisure, commercial or transportation boats. Builders select their materials and make blueprints for their designs. They build frames, measure materials, apply finishes and correct any building mistakes. Builders may also collaborate with other specialists, such as painters or assemblers, to create the boat.

7. Rigger

Primary duties: A rigger is a professional who handles a boat’s pulley system so that the boat can carry loads of materials to and from the port. They operate the rigging system to hoist cargo or adjust the ships’ sails. Riggers also inspect and maintain the ropes and cables to ensure that they’re safe to use.

8. Crane operator

Primary duties: A crane operator is responsible for handling a crane to move heavy materials in a construction site. There are boats with cranes on them that operators maneuver for marine construction work, like pipeline building. Some of their duties include fastening loads to the crane, inspecting their machinery and transferring the load to the construction site.

9. Sailor

Primary duties: A sailor is a professional who helps operate a ship by completing various tasks under the command of a captain. They may inspect, repair or maintain the deck and other parts of the ship. Sailors might also watch the water to spot obstructions. Some of their duties include managing cargo, docking the ship and cleaning the deck.

10. Boat captain

Primary duties: A boat caption is responsible for managing the daily operations of a boat. They lead a team of sailors and ensure that the boat can sail. Captains sail the ship and make sure that it reaches its destination by a specified deadline. They also manage the docking and undocking of the ship. Their duties include training sailors, steering the vessel and giving orders to the crew.

11. Carpenter

Primary duties: A carpenter in the boating industry cuts and prepares materials to build a ship. They may also help construct the ship itself. Carpenters read blueprints, measure dimensions and shape materials. They also do repairs on the vessel when needed. Carpenters may troubleshoot or test their designs before implementing them.

12. Electrician

Primary duties: An electrician is a professional who installs, maintains and repairs electrical systems. Most current-day boats have electrical systems that electricians install. Electricians troubleshoot wiring and test circuit systems on the boat. They also ensure that the systems are safe on the boat by installing protection around the systems.

13. Engineer

Primary duties: An engineer is responsible for developing, testing and building machines. Engineers in the boating industry create systems for the internal structure of a ship. They create blueprints and designs of the systems before producing them. Some of their other duties include inspecting equipment, making cost estimates and installing their machines.

14. Service manager

Primary duties: A service manager leads a company’s service team and helps customers who need repairs on their ships. Their goal is to promote excellent customer service and ensure that customers have a positive experience with the company. Service managers monitor projects, answer questions, perform administrative duties and train new employees. They also resolve client complaints and maintain the service desk.

15. Painter

Primary duties: A painter in the boating industry is responsible for painting the interior and exterior of a ship. Boat painters apply fiberglass and varnish to the ship’s exterior. Their responsibilities include covering and uncovering the ship, preparing the materials and applying the paint. They also help with cleaning and detailing the boat, which includes buffing and waxing various surfaces.

16. Assembler

Primary duties: An assembler is a trained professional who creates parts of a machine. In the boating industry, assemblers might build parts of a ship, such as propellers, tanks and side shells. They can assemble parts of an item, or they can create a whole product in an assembly line. Assemblers are responsible for inspecting parts and maintaining their workspace.

17. Marine manager

Primary duties: A marine manager oversees the daily operations of a port. They ensure that activities, such as loading and unloading cargo on a ship, run quickly and efficiently. These professionals monitor all ships and facilities at a port. They also manage a team of workers and provide quality customer service to clients. Their duties include maintaining the port, handling budgets and training new employees.

18. Truck driver

Primary duties: A truck driver is responsible for transporting and delivering goods to a location by a specific deadline. In the boating industry, truck drivers may deliver boat parts or whole ships. They could also deliver goods to and from a marina or port. Some of their duties include loading and unloading their truck, inspecting the vehicle and reading maps and road signs.

19. Naval architect

Primary duties: A naval architect is a trained professional who designs boats and builds various types of vessels. They plan a boat by studying designs and deciding on its basic outline. After they design it, the naval architect ensures that the design adheres to all boat safety standards. Then, they lead a team to build the ship.

20. Plant manager

Primary duties: A plant manager oversees the operations of a manufacturing plant, which might produce boats or boat parts. These professionals coordinate daily activities, enforce company policies and train new employees. Some of their job duties include managing team members, monitoring equipment and increasing plant productivity.