The Shipmaster Profession

The Shipmaster Profession is one of the historical occupations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Those who engage in this profession are referred to as the Shipmaster, the Mariner, or the Captain, and in some areas of the Kingdom, they are known as 'an-Nokhada.' They are responsible for piloting, managing, and directing the ship, as well as transporting passengers and goods to and from ports. This profession has long been famous in all the coastal provinces of the Kingdom, including Makkah al-Mukarramah, al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, Tabuk, Jazan, and the Eastern Province.

Historically, the primary duties of shipmasters included piloting ships and managing their crews. Key responsibilities also entailed transporting pilgrims to and from ports in the Makkah al-Mukarramah province, steering vessels carrying goods, and embarking on fishing and pearl diving expeditions.

Several professions were historically linked to shipmasters, reflecting the nature of maritime work and its intersection with their duties. Pilots worked to guide shipmasters, ensuring their vessels did not collide with coral reefs as they approached ports. Al-Muzawiriya or al-Zamma, were responsible for transferring goods from commercial ships to the port. Meanwhile, al-Kaljiya (individuals responsible for ship security) maintained the safety of the shipmasters and their crews, in addition to guarding the ships and ports.

Fishing and diving professions were also linked to shipmasters. Shipmasters would accompany divers on their expeditions to harvest pearls and coral from the sea. They were responsible for safeguarding the pearl harvests and handling their sale. Subsequently, the shares are divided according to specified ratios among the shipmasters, divers, and the rest of the ship's crew.

The shipmaster profession has recently evolved, now practiced with newer methods and techniques as modern technology has been integrated into their field. Additionally, the shipbuilding industry, which produces the vessels they pilot, has advanced, shifting from wood to iron construction.

In the modern era, the duties of shipmasters include planning and executing maritime voyages, maintaining daily activity logs, tracking the ship's location and movements, and monitoring weather and sea conditions. They also ensure that ship operations comply with local and international laws, provide necessary resources, materials, and technologies to enhance the quality of the voyage and coordinate with the crew to improve maritime travel and its quality.