Skipper jobs in Finland
Skippers are the highest authority on-board or on inland waterways, they are in charge of the vessel and are held responsible for the safety and well being of the clients and crew. They are licensed by the responsible authority and will determine the operations of the vessel at any time. They are the ultimate instance responsible for the crew, the ship, the cargo and/or passengers, and the voyage.
Skipper - Which skills are essential?
Operate modern radar navigation equipment to ensure safe vessel operations.
Develop and implement on-board safety training programmes.
Use modern navigational aids such as GPS and radar systems.
Detailed knowledge of the different physical components of the vessel. Provide maintenance and care to ensure optimal operations.
The body of conventions, guidelines and rules which dictate the activity of loading and unloading cargo in international ports.
Assess the trim stability of vessels, referring to the stability of a vessel while it is in a static condition.
Collect information from a vessel's management software and cross reference it to analyse the data from different points of view. Analyse data and apply judgement to inform decision-making.
Instruct crew members in the pre- and after activities relating to the operations of technical shore-based facilities. Understand safety regulations required to work with shipboard electrical systems.
The international waterways used for maritime navigation, the geographical location of currents, maritime waterways, and harbours.
Know and control deck and safety equipment and vessel lifting facilities.
Use and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.
Delimit access points for passengers on board and implement an effective protection system; prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas at all times.
Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
Plan and perform regular safety exercises; maximise safety in potentially dangerous situations.
Compose stowage plans; knowledge of ballast systems and cargo loading process.
Utilise 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 with recent charts/maps, notices, and publications in order to determine the precise position of a vessel.
Secure cargo stowage with basic knowledge of stowing methods; ensure efficient and safe transport of goods.
Ensure 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 technical parts of the vessel functioning effectively and can perform as necessary for the upcoming journey.
Understand waterway rules, legal requirements, and relevant police regulations. Handle and maintain buoys, marking systems, and day and night signs.
Know and understand characteristics of fuels and lubricants, and the fuel loading specifications of various types of vessels.
Ensure sure that water does not break the hull; prevent progressive flooding.
Recognise unsafe situations and perform follow-up actions according to the safety regulations. Immediately warn ship management. Use personal protective and rescue equipment.
Understand logistics and multimodal transport as the planning and control of the movement of goods or people, and all related logistical supporting activities.
Assess the two kinds of stability of vessels, namely transversal and longitudinal.
The national regulations governing the loading and unloading of cargo in ports within that country.
Manage and oversee the safe and punctual loading and unloading of cargo from vessels in port.
Monitor the staff that operate the engines during operations. Communicate with them in order to obtain information relevant to the general steering of the ship.
Thoroughly understand the principles of vessel stability; follow safety requirements during loading and unloading of cargo.
Analyse reports submitted by passengers (i.e. on unforeseen occurrences or incidents such as vandalism or theft) in order to inform strategic decision making.
Understand the European CEMT classification of inland waterways; use modern information systems to compare the dimensions of the waterway to those of the vessel.
Navigate European waterways in accordance with navigation agreements.
Operate and steer vessels such as cruise ships, ferries, tankers, and container ships.
Monitor and ensure the safe and secure loading of materials and goods, as specified in the stowage plan.
Understand inland waterway ship building and construction. Operate vessel in compliance with construction legislation.
Inspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
Ensure 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 the pilot's information sheet.
Prepare crew briefings on mooring plans and division of labour. Provide the crew with information on protective gear such as helmets and safety goggles.
Identify 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 to be taken in the event of an identified problem.
Gain theoretical and practical knowledge of safety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc. Operate equipment during emergency situations.
Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.
Consider ecological aspects of the operation of ships in order to use vessels in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Understand environmental aspects when navigating inland waterways.
Recognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport; understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.
Read and comprehend content of stowage plans; basic knowledge of how to stow various types of cargo.
Understand and apply traffic rules in inland waterway navigation in order to ensure safety and avoid collisions.
Understand the principles of cargo stowage. Understand procedures by which containers should be efficiently loaded and unloaded, taking into account gravitational forces that are exerted during transportation.
Distinguish various methods of constructing vessels and how this affects their behaviour in the water in terms of strength and stability.
Know the national waterways used for inland navigation, know geographical location of rivers, canals, seaports and inland harbours, and understand the relationship with cargo flows.
Determine the weight of cargo on tanker ships and cargo vessels. Calculate the exact amount of loaded cargo or cargo to be discharged.
Plot 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.
Develop, manage, and coordinate the itinerary of vessels worldwide together with other stakeholders.
Understand the responsibilities that accompany the position of skipper. Assume responsibility for the integrity of ship's crew, cargo, and passengers; ensure that operations run as they should.
Skipper - Which skills are useful but not essential?
Communicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.
Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Demonstrate degrees of maturity by fully understanding one's own qualities and abilities which can serve as sources of confidence in different situations.
Work with management practices such as continuous improvement, preventive maintenance. Pay attention to problem solving and teamwork principles.
Regularly attend educational workshops, read professional publications, actively participate in professional societies.
Analyse prospective improvements in journey efficiency through reduction of travel time by modifying itineraries and outlining alternatives.
Use rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Enforce environmental criteria to prevent environmental damage. Strive for the efficient use of resources in order to prevent waste and reduce costs. Motivate colleagues to take relevant steps to operate in an environmentally friendly manner.