Ship Captain onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: USCG Master or Mate license, STCW certificates (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: ECDIS; radar; GPS; radios
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Ship Captain training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Follow COLREGS
Run regular drills
Respect weather
Manage fatigue
Shadow an experienced ship captain through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: stand a safe bridge watch
Supervised practice: plan a coastal passage
Supervised practice: run an abandon ship drill
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Navigate vessels: independently
Stand watch: independently
Supervise crew: independently
Plan voyages: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, USCG Master or Mate license)
Discuss the career path: Deckhand or Cadet → Mate → Chief Mate
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Stand a Safe Bridge Watch
Plan a Coastal Passage
Run an Abandon Ship Drill
Navigation
Ship handling
Radar and ECDIS
Maritime law

How to measure onboarding success

Units per hour or stops per day versus target
Pick, scan or delivery accuracy
Incidents and equipment damage
30- and 90-day retention

How Ship Captain training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Ship Captain Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Ship Captain Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Ship Captain Career
Final Knowledge Check

Get team pricing

Ship Captain Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)