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Ferry Boat Captain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ferry Boat Captain

Georgetown, DE ยท On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Summary Statement An employee serves as Captain of a state-owned and operated ferry boat, responsible for the safe and efficient transport of vehicles and passengers on board. The Captain oversees ...

New

Ferry Boat Captain

Georgetown, DE ยท On-site

$49K/yr

Summary Statement An employee serves as Captain of a state-owned and operated ferry boat, responsible for the safe and efficient transport of vehicles and passengers on board. The Captain oversees ...

We are looking for a Ferry Boat Captain(s) for our location at The Wharf in Washington, DC for a 12 passenger vessel. If you have the experience and the certifications we want to talk to you! JOB ...

$90 - $150/hr

The Captain is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient vessel operations while delivering exceptional guest service in a fast-paced hospitality environment. This role requires a positive attitude ...

Ferry Boat Captain

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$90 - $150/hr

The Captain is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient vessel operations while delivering exceptional guest service in a fast-paced hospitality environment. This role requires a positive attitude ...

San Diego Ferry Boat Captain

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$120 - $180/hr

The Captain is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient vessel operations while delivering exceptional guest service in a fast-paced hospitality environment. This role requires a positive attitude ...

$120 - $180/hr

The Captain is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient vessel operations while delivering exceptional guest service in a fast-paced hospitality environment. This role requires a positive attitude ...

Boat Captain

Orange City, FL ยท On-site

$70 - $100/hr

Job Summary: The Captain directs the ferry's activities and operates the vessel safely and ... Small boat handling skills, passenger vessel experience a plus. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The Captain directs the ferry's activities and operates the vessel safely and efficiently. This ... Small boat handling skills, passenger vessel experience a plus. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Job Summary: The Captain directs the ferry's activities and operates the vessel safely and ... Small boat handling skills, passenger vessel experience a plus. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The Captain directs the ferry's activities and operates the vessel safely and efficiently. This ... Small boat handling skills, passenger vessel experience a plus. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The Captain directs the ferry's activities and operates the vessel safely and efficiently. This ... Small boat handling skills, passenger vessel experience a plus. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Job Summary: The Captain directs the ferry's activities and operates the vessel safely and ... Small boat handling skills, passenger vessel experience a plus. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

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Ferry Boat Captain information

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How much do ferry boat captain jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for ferry boat captain in the United States is $25.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $30.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a ferry boat captain do?

A Ferry Boat Captain is responsible for safely operating a ferry vessel, transporting passengers, vehicles, and cargo across bodies of water. Their duties include navigating routes, monitoring weather conditions, ensuring safety procedures are followed, and managing the crew. They must also maintain communication with harbor authorities and respond to emergencies as needed. Ferry Boat Captains are required to have proper licensing and extensive maritime knowledge to ensure safe and efficient ferry operations.

What are some typical challenges a ferry boat captain faces during daily operations?

Ferry Boat Captains often encounter challenges such as navigating in adverse weather conditions, managing tight schedules, and ensuring passenger safety at all times. They must remain vigilant to changing tides, currents, and visibility while coordinating closely with crew members and port staff. Strong communication and quick decision-making skills are essential to address mechanical issues, emergencies, or unexpected passenger needs, all while maintaining a smooth and timely service.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a ferry boat captain, and why are they important?

To excel as a Ferry Boat Captain, you need strong navigational skills, a thorough understanding of maritime regulations, and typically a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with the appropriate endorsements. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, radar, and marine radio communication equipment is essential for safe vessel operation. Leadership, situational awareness, and effective communication are vital soft skills for ensuring passenger safety and managing crew members. These skills and qualifications are crucial to safely transporting passengers, complying with legal requirements, and responding effectively to emergencies on the water.

What is the difference between Ferry Boat Captain vs Marine Pilot?

AspectFerry Boat CaptainMarine Pilot
CredentialsCommercial Driver's License, Coast Guard licensingMarine pilot license, Coast Guard certification
Work EnvironmentFerries operating on specific routes, portsShip navigation in ports and harbors
Employer & IndustryFerry companies, public transit authoritiesShipping companies, port authorities

While both Ferry Boat Captains and Marine Pilots operate ships, Ferry Boat Captains primarily navigate ferries on designated routes, focusing on passenger safety. Marine Pilots assist larger vessels in navigating complex port areas. The roles require similar licensing but differ in scope and environment.

How do I become a ferry boat captain?

To become a ferry boat captain, you typically need to obtain a Merchant Marine license with a captain's endorsement, which requires meeting minimum age and experience requirements, passing written and practical exams, and accumulating sea service hours. Additionally, you must complete safety training and medical certifications, and often gain experience as a deckhand or mate before advancing to captain.

How much money do ferry boat captains make?

Ferry boat captains typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the vessel. They are responsible for operating and navigating ferries, often requiring a captain's license and safety certifications.

Is it hard to become a ferry boat captain?

Becoming a ferry boat captain requires extensive training, including obtaining a merchant mariner credential and relevant certifications, as well as gaining experience in navigation and vessel operation. The process can be challenging due to the technical skills and safety standards involved, but it is a well-defined career path for those committed to maritime work.
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Infographic showing various Ferry Boat Captain job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $53,531 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Ferry Boat Captain

DelDOT

Georgetown, DE โ€ข On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Introduction

The mission of Maintenance & Operations is to provide excellence in transportation by keeping the state's road transportation network in a state of good repair through the careful and consistent application of personnel, equipment and financial resources.

Summary Statement

An employee serves as Captain of a state-owned and operated ferry boat, responsible for the safe and efficient transport of vehicles and passengers on board. The Captain oversees and commands all aspects of the vesselโ€™s operations including navigation, safety, maintenance, and crew management. Work of this class requires employees to possess a 100 ton United States Coast Guard (USCG) Master Captainโ€™s license. This position must be available to work overtime as needed, and during storm events and other emergency events on short notice and in some cases no advance notice. This position works a rotating shift schedule and when the ferry is not operational, the position reports to the maintenance yard to perform non-ferry related duties as assigned. This position will be located at Area 28, 24450 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy, Georgetown DE 19947.

Essential Functions
  • Maintains a 100-ton United States Coast Guard (USCG) Master Captainโ€™s license.
  • Operates the Department's ferry boat for the purpose of transporting vehicles and pedestrians across the river.
  • Ensures the vessel is supplied and rigged to serve the mission's purpose and to operate effectively and safely.
  • Supervises loading and unloading of vehicles and passengers to ensure proper distribution of weight and passenger safety and uses traffic control techniques to control high/low speed vehicular traffic movements.
  • Develops maintenance schedules and performs preventative maintenance and repairs including correcting problems or performing updates to the electronic systems, and plans and designs retrofits to the hull, machinery, electronic gear, and rigging.
  • Coordinates the acquisition of new equipment and inspection of shipyard overhauls which may include working with purchasing agents, mechanics, marine engineers, and others.
  • Maintains ferry boat logs and records pertaining to the operation of the ferry.
  • Collaborates with Department employees and staff to provide training and information on the operation and maintenance of the vessel and equipment, various projects, or repairs on the boat, and to explain maritime laws, rules, and regulations, shipboard safety, rescue, and survival techniques.
  • Monitors weather, tidal, and related conditions to determine if conditions are suitable for year-round operations.
  • Interacts with the public and provides information regarding ferry operations and the surrounding area.
  • Drives and controls on/off-road equipment such as dump trucks, pickup trucks, and trucks with trailers to haul supplies to and from the work site. This may include public highway systems.
  • Operates mobile equipment and hand tools to dig, ditch, slope, strip, grade, backfill, mow, and clear and excavate for the purpose of ditching work, guardrail installation, and digging for concrete footers.
  • Operates draw and swing bridges to permit both water and roadway traffic to pass safely.
  • Performs preventive maintenance, operational checks, pre and post walk around inspections, and makes minor repairs/adjustments of assigned equipment; reports damage and/or required maintenance.
  • May perform additional work as assigned when not operating the ferry.
Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Ferry Boat Captain Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

  • Possession of a United States Coast Guard license to operate and navigate passenger carrying vessels of at least 100 tons for the purpose of carrying vehicles and passengers.
  • One year of experience in marine operations, seamanship practices, and climatic interpretation to navigate vessels safely and efficiently.
  • One year of experience in operating and maintaining electronic gear, rigging, and diesel engines.
  • Six monthsโ€™ experience in preventative maintenance on vehicles and equipment such as lubricating, cleaning, and servicing.
  • Possession of a valid Driverโ€™s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).
Conditions of Hire

As a condition of hire you must possess a valid driver's license (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

As a condition of hire you must possess a valid CDL Class A or B drivers license (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving) or obtain one during the initial 90-day probationary period.

Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Preโ€‘employment Drug Testing: Upon a conditional offer, you must undergo preโ€‘employment drug testing as part of the hiring process.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in Eโ€‘Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form Iโ€‘9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources. DelDOT does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

This position is a classification organized under an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization) that has been elected by employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other applicable terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapter 13 and 16. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement based on its individual terms.

All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/.

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the โ€œMy Applicationsโ€ tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling (800) 232-5470 or by visiting delawarerelay.com. If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call (302) 739-5458 or email jobs@delaware.gov. The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

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