In 1713 he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Baltic fleet and in 1714 dispatched to Pernau to bring home a newly purchased warship.
In 1715, promoted to Captain lieutenant, Zotov was sent to France to study the French fleet and admiralty's regulation.
[4] In 1724, Zotov submitted to the Tsar the first Russian book on naval tactics and practice Conversation between the admiral and the captain about the crew or the complete teaching of how to steer the ship in all cases ( St. Petersburg, 1724, reprinted 1816), where the questions and answers explain essential information on maritime matters, navigation, ship's volition, etc.
In 1726, he was given command of the ship of the line Panteleimon-Victoria, one of the largest in the Baltic, and also compiled the regulations of the lower admiralty court (commercial maritime code).
He later rejoined the Admiralty College, where he served, ultimately as general-ekipazhmeister with the rank of rear admiral, until his death.