You can't get licensed as a pilot without being able to read METARS. They will not let you fly. Find me a comparable licensure requirement for marine captains.
It's been many years, so I can't refer you to a specific paragraph in 46 CFR (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/part-310), but during my training as a Merchant ship's officer I was required to (a) take a Meteorology 101 class, (b) read and understand data from the weather FAX at sea and (c) when on watch, make weather observations and report them to NOAA hourly.
it will take years of sea time and weeks of classes to even get your Able Seaman (AB) or 100 ton master license. If you want 500/1600 ton mate or masters then even more years of sea time and months of classes. All of these requirements are outlined by the Coast Guard, but they change the rules all the time. You are never really done; every five years, when you come up for your license renewal, you will have to take some refresher courses. Sadly, none of this may be completed while you are at work, but rather while you are on your off time. It is expensive to take these classes and while sometimes your company will pay for the classes, room, and board, don’t count on it.
I think that's close enough.