The captain of a sailing ship is called a skipper. Oddly enough, even in the modern world you can find many sailing ships. Most often these are small vessels, which are more often called yachts. But there are also warships of this type, on which a senior officer is appointed as the skipper, whose main duty is to look after the property. A skipper on a yacht already has completely different responsibilities and tasks, since he controls a civilian vessel.
If you decide to find a job for sailors as a “skipper”, most likely you will not end up on a private yacht from a company that provides booking services for various purposes, but on the navy. This is where skipper is an incredibly popular and relevant position.
Regardless of what ship you get to work on. The skipper, like the captain, bears enormous responsibility: for the crew, for the ship, for the cargo or passengers. But you should understand that he never works alone, because the entire crew on board is one team that must work as a cohesive organism. However, according to the regulations, there can only be one skipper on any board, which increases his workload and responsibility.
Scope of activity and main responsibilities
The skipper's responsibilities are closely related to his place of work. And on different ships they can be quite different. So, if you work on a yacht, then the entire team is under your command. He controls the work of the entire crew, plots the route, and also monitors the current condition of the vessel. If we are talking about a military ship, then the sailor’s responsibilities will be radically different. First of all, he monitors the ship's property and order on the ship. It is also important to train sailors and maintain all documentation. The captain also accepts equipment on board.
It is the skipper who, before leaving the vessel at sea, checks its serviceability and, if necessary, carries out repair work. On a voyage, the skipper has executive authority and can even conduct a preliminary investigation or arrest anyone on board if their actions constituted a threat.
Skipper career
If you work on a yacht, then the skipper is the highest rung in the work hierarchy. But on warships everything is somewhat more complicated. After all, if desired, the skipper can become a navigator who will monitor the course (for example, using the MarineTraffic resource and other navigation systems) and pave the way for the vessel. And if you go on to study further, you can even become a captain.
If you decide to become a skipper, it is important to understand what data he should have. Naturally, this means knowledge of English and the absence of seasickness. The skipper's physical performance must be excellent. But if you have problems with hearing, vision or heart, then working on a ship is completely contraindicated for you. It is important that the skipper understands the legal and regulatory documentation regarding his type of activity. And to work on a yacht, you also need to have an appropriate license, which is monitored by the coast guard.
Remember, no matter what profession you go into, if your heart belongs to the sea, you can rise to the level where you feel that you are in the right place. And let it be work at sea in Vladivostok or you will find vacancies for gas carriers, military vessels, tugs. The main thing is that you will do what you love, which, on top of everything, can also bring good money.
