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Navy NEC · Logistics

W14A Harbor/Docking Pilot

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.

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Overview

A Harbor and Docking Pilot pilots naval ships of all classes and unlimited tonnage in and out of harbors and naval bases and to and from docks and berths. The pilot supervises docking, berthing, and mooring personnel and directs vessels, floating equipment, barges, and pusher boats during ship and tow movements.

Core Skills

  • Pilotage across ship classes and tonnages
  • Tug coordination for ship and tow movements
  • Floating dock, crane, and barge positioning
  • Docking supervision of naval and civilian crews

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Harbor Pilot / Docking Master

Piloting naval ships into harbors and berths, supervising mooring, and directing tug-assisted movements closely match civilian harbor pilotage and docking work.

How to prepare: Request an official sea-service transcript or assignment history documenting vessel tonnage, routes, underway time, and assigned duties for Coast Guard evaluation toward the appropriate endorsement; a DD-214 alone is not acceptable sea-service evidence. Plan for a Merchant Mariner Credential with applicable endorsements, typically a Transportation Worker Identification Credential, and any required state pilot license.

What the civilian work involves
  • Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
  • 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.

Notes & Sources

  • The Coast Guard determines the grade, class, and limits supported by military sea service, normally crediting 60 percent of onboard time as equivalent underway service. Using military service to qualify for a Master unlimited endorsement requires service as commanding officer.
  • Officer endorsements require Coast Guard approval of age, experience, character, physical health, citizenship, approved training, professional competence, and drug-test qualifications.
  • Open-ocean service requires USCG-verified STCW training; an STCW endorsement generally requires the appropriate national endorsement.
Evidence for this guidance (5 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol II (NEOCS, Jul 2026 edition): NEC W14A

    [1] NEC entry "W14A - Harbor/Docking Pilot"; cached text line 16076; NAVPERS 18068F Vol II, 2026-07 edition

    Supports: Pilotage across ship classes and tonnages, Tug coordination for ship and tow movements, Floating dock, crane, and barge positioning, Docking supervision of naval and civilian crews, Harbor Pilot / Docking Master (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  2. O*NET: Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Harbor Pilot / Docking Master (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Water Transportation Workers

    [3] How to Become; training, licenses and related experience; updated August 27, 2026, checked September 23, 2026

    Supports: Harbor Pilot / Docking Master (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  4. USCG: 46 CFR 10.232 military sea-service evidence and credit

    [4] Paragraphs (a) and (d)(1), official eCFR snapshot September 21, 2026; retrieved September 24

    Supports: Harbor Pilot / Docking Master (O*NET 53-5021.00)

  5. USCG: 46 CFR 11.201 officer-endorsement requirements

    [5] Paragraph (a), official eCFR snapshot September 21, 2026; retrieved September 24

    Supports: Harbor Pilot / Docking Master (O*NET 53-5021.00)

Defense contractor jobs for W14A

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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