Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Working Life

A skipper's role includes planning routes, monitoring weather and tides, maintaining vessel equipment, and keeping accurate logs to meet legal and safety standards.

Skippers often work long hours at sea, particularly during busy fishing seasons, and must be able to make quick, informed decisions as weather and sea conditions change.

Responsibilities and Tasks of a Skipper 

Navigation, Seamanship, and Route Planning

• Steer the vessel and maintain course.
• Plot routes using charts, GPS, radar, and tide tables.
• Interpret currents, wind conditions, and weather patterns.

Crew Management

• Lead and supervise crew members.
• Assign tasks and monitor performance.
• Maintain morale and ensure safe, efficient deck operations.

Vessel Maintenance, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance

• Inspect the vessel and carry out minor maintenance or repairs.
• Manage onboard equipment and safety gear.
• Enforce safety procedures and maritime regulations.
• Maintain logbooks, records, and-where applicable-manage quotas.

Catch or Cargo Handling

• Oversee fishing operations or cargo loading/unloading.
• Supervise net handling, sorting, packing, and storage.
• Ensure timely delivery and proper documentation at port.

Decision-Making

• Make rapid decisions during changing weather, tides, or emergencies.
• Balance safety, efficiency, and operational goals.

Skipper Roles 
In Ireland, Skipper roles vary depending on the type of vessel and activity. A skipper may be in charge of fishing boats, passenger craft, ferries, aquaculture service vessels, or commercial workboats. 

Passenger Boat Skippers operate small licensed passenger vessels under the Department of Transport system, supported by BIM’s Passenger Boat Proficiency training.

Fishing Vessel Skippers can hold Full, Second-Hand Full, or Limited Certificates of Competency, gained through BIM training and Department of Transport exams.

Commercial Workboat Skippers operate workboats and RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boat) and must meet passenger-boat licensing rules if carrying paying passengers.

Fishing Masters are listed on the Irish Fishing Master Register, which is required for anyone acting as master of an Irish-registered fishing vessel.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialised knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hasards.
• Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
• Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
• Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
• Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
• Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
• Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
• Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
• Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
• Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.

Further Information

• Fishing Vessel Skipper- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are multiple pathways into a career as a skipper or ship's officer across the fishing, maritime transport, and aquaculture sectors. Progression typically involves a combination of sea-time, formal training, and examination.

A skipper aboard Irish vessels is a key decision-maker responsible for safety, navigation, vessel operations and crew leadership. 

A skipper may be in charge of fishing boats, passenger craft, ferries, aquaculture service vessels, or commercial workboats. 

Depending on the sector, the skipper may act as the primary executive officer onboard, overseeing navigation, catch operations, passenger safety, maritime compliance and vessel maintenance. 

View the Maritime, Fishing & Aquaculture sector page for more details on the sector. 

Training offered by BIM’s National Fisheries Colleges provide all the specialist skills to become a skipper. Learners can explore courses through the CourseFinder or directly via BIM's training hub    . 

BIM Training Programmes

• Deck Officer Skipper Full Certificate of Competency (Fishing) - 9 wks.
• Deck Officer Second-Hand Full Certificate of Competency (Fishing) - 9-wks.
• Deck Officer Second-Hand Limited Certificate of Competency (Fishing) - 9 wks.
• Deckhand Foundation Programme - 6 weeks
• Navigational Control Course (Fishing) - 10-days
• STCW Navigation Aids, Equipment & Simulator Training - 5 weeks
• STCW Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems (ECDIS) - 5 days
• Passenger Boat Proficiency - 5 days
• Basic Safety and Survival Training Modules (safety training, personal survival techniques, first aid, fire prevention) (3-day)

Training Centre Resources

• Fishing vessel navigation simulators and radio suites at both colleges allow skipper-trainees to practice control, berthing, navigation, and distress-alert procedures in simulated adverse weather (wind, rain, waves, snow).
• A dedicated sea-survival training pool at Greencastle used for realistic practical survival training.
• Engine room training areas, dry-land vessel decks, workshops, and full nautical instruction is provided at both colleges.

Sample Training with Timeline* 

Pre-Training Stage (0-2 years): Build Sea experience and basic skills
- Vessel Experience + Basic Safety Training (Personal Survival, Fire, and First Aid)

Trainee Skipper (2-4 years): Take on responsibility while still learning
- Gain supervised experience (navigation, boat handing, crew supervision)
- Complete Second-Hand Limited Certificate of Competency or a Skipper Limited Certificate of Competency with 12 months sea time.
- Complete A Seafarers Medical Certificate ENG 11, with approved eyesight test.
- Attain A Notice of Eligibility (NOE) (required to sit the written examinations)

Skipper (4-6 years): Become a fully qualified skipper
- Complete Skipper Full Certificate of Competency (Fishing) course + take on full responsibility for vessel and crew.
- Register as a licensed skipper on the Irish Fishing Master Register

*This timeline is for illustrative purposes only and vary depending on experience and training.

*Trainees must be 19 years of age. See entry requirements for gaining skipper qualifications in BIM's prospectus.     

Entrepreneurial skippers combine certification with business, marketing, and customer service skills. A young skipper might start as a trainee, gain full certification, and later run a seasonal angling charter business.

Skills that benefit the role of Skipper

1. Navigation: reading charts, plotting courses, and steering safely.
2. Communication and problem-solving: clear instructions to crew and coordination with ports or coastguards and fixing issues on board and adapting to changing conditions.
3. Technical skills: understanding engines, equipment, and basic maintenance.

Leaving Certificate Subjects that would benefit the role of Skipper:

• Mathematics 
• Geography 
• English 
• Engineering 
• Technology 

View the Department of Transport Mercantile Marine Office     for a list of Maritime Education and Training approved institutions. 

Education and Training Pathways

A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may also be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: commercial fishing, engineering competency.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: commercial fishing, engineering competency.

Search for PLC Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €150k

Salaries vary by employer commercial & Shipping/ Military/ Leisure, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

€45,000 (ships officers) -€150,000 (master mariner) per year, depending on experience.

Irish Military/ Naval Service: Military.ie

Data Source(s):
SalaryExpert/ IMDO/ Indeed/ Payscale/ WEI/ Gov-Military

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Marine and waterways transport operatives, Air transport operatives, Rail transport operatives, Bus and coach drivers, Train and tram drivers, Van drivers, Other drivers and transport operatives n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Following some fluctuations in the intervening years, employment in 2024 returned to 2019 levels (declining by 2,600 persons since 2023). Combined, van drivers and bus/coach drivers accounted for approximately three quarters of employment in this occupation with the remainder being train/tram drivers and air/rail/marine transport operatives. Over a third in this occupation were aged 55 years or older which will likely lead to increased replacement demand in the coming years.

Despite the fall in employment, there was a high volume of recent job hires indicating a high level of job churn. There was also a relatively large volume of vacancy posts on DSP Jobs Ireland for bus and coach drivers, driven by significant recruitment campaigns by Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus. In addition, there was a small number of employment permits issued for bus and coach drivers.

Issues with recruitment for this occupation relate to bus and coach drivers only; expansion of bus services nationwide is also fuelling increasing demand and although there has been significant recruitment of drivers recently, turnover and replacement are resulting in a continuation of shortages.

Skills shortage:

Bus and coach drivers

• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

  • Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 607 2000 Lo Call 1890 200 510
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

  • Crofton House, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 214 4100
  • Click Here