Captain Barge

There are many open positions for barge captains, as well as for sea captains. Although both professions share some similarities, there’s a significant difference between the worlds of inland captains and sea captains. It’s often jokingly said that an inland captain gets nervous when they can’t see land, while a sea captain gets nervous when they do see land.

Due to the specific skills and experience required for each type of waterway, it’s not easy for a sea captain to transition to inland shipping or vice versa. You’ll often need to start over as a deckhand to gain the necessary experience. In this article, we’ll focus specifically on the role of an inland barge captain.

What Does a Captain Do?

As a captain, you’re in charge of the ship and lead the crew. You’re responsible for everything that happens onboard, from navigation to the safety of the crew and passengers—it’s all on your shoulders. You also handle maintenance, such as performing repairs and checking the engine while sailing. Additionally, you oversee the loading and unloading of goods and manage administrative tasks. And of course, let’s not forget— skip, you steer the ship! It’s a versatile and challenging job that requires leadership and quick decision-making.

Skipper or Captain?

Formally, the term "captain" is often used, but in regulations, "skipper" is the preferred term. Informally, in inland shipping in Europe, the owner-operator of a vessel is called a “skipper,” while someone employed by a shipping company is referred to as a “captain.” Relief captains (temporary replacements) are also referred to as captains. When there are two captains on board, such as in 24-hour operations, they are usually referred to as the first (1st) captain and the second (2nd) captain, with the 1st captain holding ultimate responsibility.

Becoming a Captain

Do you want an adventurous job with responsibility, where no two days are the same? Then become a barge captain! In the coming years, there is expected to be a significant shortage of captains, so in terms of opportunities you are set. Also, check out our article dedicated to all required licenses and certifications for an inland navigation captain.

Inland Barge Captain Jobs

With the looming shortage of captains, there are plenty of job opportunities available for inland navigation captains. Common positions include e.g. captain pushbarge, captain tanker, captain container barge and captain rivercruise.

View all available vacancies on Jobwave.

Sea Captain Jobs

A sea captain sails the world’s seas and oceans. In maritime navigation, the term "Captain" or “Master” is commonly used. These ships are larger and more complex, requiring a bigger crew with more officers and “ratings” in various ranks. Want to become a sea captain? View all available positions on Jobwave.

Tugboat Captain Jobs

Want to become a captain but prefer to stay closer to home? Consider a job as a tugboat captain. There are plenty of opportunities in large seaports like Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Antwerp-Bruges. View all available positions on Jobwave.

In Conclusion

There are plenty of opportunities and vacancies for inland navigation captains. Interested? Check out all the job openings on Jobwave or create a Jobwave profile and get in touch with our recruiters. We’ll help you find the right job as an inland navigation captain.