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.

The Work

The position of Harbour Master is key in the safe and efficient management of the Port.  The Harbour Master is a member of the Executive Management Team, reporting to the Chief Executive.  The Harbour Master’s primary operational responsibilities  are to ensure the Port’s marine activities operate safely and efficiently.

The Harbour Master has direct managerial responsibility for operations in a number of key areas including pilotage, towage, berth allocation and  (VTS) vessel traffic service.  Given the location of a Port, the Harbour Master also has a wider responsibility for leisure and other craft.

The role requires an in-depth understanding of ship operations in all modes including Ro-Ro passenger and freight ferries; container ships; bulk carriers of all types; oil tankers; and cruise ships.

The Harbour Master is responsible for all aspects of the operations of a Port’s Harbour, including the management of a staff and the management of a financial budget.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A career as a harbourmaster may be developed towards via experience & training in the Navy or also via Merchant careers in compliance with HSA Onshore Guidelines 

IMDO Irish marine development agency highlights career pathways into working at sea. 

Key Skills Certs 

A harbourmaster must have a valid: 

STCW II/2 Certificate of Competency as Master, (unlimited) valid for service in the Irish Mercantile Marine.

At least three years seagoing experience as Master or Chief Officer of a merchant vessel and/or three years experience as a Harbour Master, Deputy Harbour Master or Assistant Harbour Master in a comparable port.

Training & Development 

FET Centre PLC Courses: Supply chain & logistics NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC coursefinder 

Apprenticeship: Transport & Logistics NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeship 

Higher Education CAO Entry: Supply chian & logistics managment NFQ level 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €67k

Salaries Vary by Employer, location, role, duties, skills, and experience. 

Asst Harbour master 
€26,735, €28,090, €29,168, €31,101, €33,769, €35,939, €38,439, €39,982, €41,523, €43,066, €44,603, €46,144, €47,685, €49,227, €50,763 (LSI1), €52,489 (LSI2), €54,199

Harbour Master 
€32,321, €34,650, €35,274, €38,383, €41,502, €44,622, €47,743, €49,670, €51,592, €53,526, €55,447, €57,374, €59,302, €61,224, €63,159, €65, 302(LSI1), €67,440(LSI2)

Data Source(s):
Dept Agriculture, Food & Marine Gov.ie/ Talent.com

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was negative for this occupation, with little change in employment levels since 2020. Most are employed as taxi drivers and bus and coach drivers; although employment levels remained unchanged for taxi drivers between quarter 4 2021 and quarter 4 2022, there was a fall in the number of persons employed as bus and coach drivers. At 43%, the share aged 55 years and older far exceeded the national average and may lead to an increase in replacement demand across the roles in the coming years. Issues with recruiting taxi drivers that occurred with the reopening of the economy post-COVID-19 appears to have eased somewhat; the data does not point to any evidence of shortages.

In a statement to the Joint Oireachtas committee on Transport and Communications, the National Transport Authority noted issues with retaining and recruiting bus drivers in a time of full employment. There have been advertising campaigns (e.g. Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann) to recruit new bus drivers. As a result of issues with recruitment, a quota for 1,500 new permits for bus and coach drivers was added in December 2022 which has yet to be reflected in the data. The Skills for Growth data also indicates issues with filling vacancies for bus drivers (including for those with good communication skills). Despite the negative employment growth for this occupation overall, skills shortages have emerged for bus and coach drivers.

• Irish Martimtime Development Office

  • Three Park Place Upper Hatch Street Dublin 2 D02 FX65
  • 01 775 39 00
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• 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