A professional who commands riverboat to transport passengers, freight, or other cargo along rivers. Responsibilities include:

• Determines course and speed of riverboat on basis of knowledge of winds, weather, tides, and current.
• Steers riverboat or orders crew worker at helm to steer riverboat and navigates boat to avoid reefs, outlying shoals, and other hazards to shipping, utilizing aids to navigation, such as lighthouses and buoys.
• Inspects riverboat to ensure that passengers and crew observe regulations pertaining to safe and efficient operation of riverboat.
• Relinquishes command of riverboat to pilot, ship to guide riverboat through hazardous waters.
• Maintains riverboat's log.
• Must be licensed by U.S.
• Coast Guard for steam or motor riverboat according to waters navigated and tonnage of riverboat.