A tugboat captain, also known as a tug captain or tugboat operator, is the pilot of a small vessel that helps larger crafts steer in tight spaces where their engines cannot safely reach full power. Tugboats can be used to guide a boat out of a port or harbor, maneuver a barge in a river, or help a ship in the open sea if their engines are down. As a tugboat captain, you hire and train the crew of your boat, oversee the boat’s operations, communicate with other vessels, and ensure that all functions are proceeding as they should. Qualifications to become a tugboat captain or tugboat operator include maritime training and licensure.