Boat Captain

CARDINAL POINT CAPTAINS INC • Santa Barbara, CA

6d • $30 - $42 • Onsite

About The Position

Cardinal Point Captains, Inc. (CPC) is seeking an experienced captain to provide vessel support to the NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) in Santa Barbara, California. The role supports scientific research, monitoring, exploration, and education and outreach missions aboard CINMS vessels, including the 62-foot research vessel Shearwater and 28-foot research vessel Minke, and occasionally other NOAA-owned vessels on the West Coast. The captain is expected to be a capable boat handler with knowledge of small-vessel maintenance and troubleshooting. The position is full-time, non-exempt, requires travel, and offers $30–$42 per hour depending on license, qualifications, and experience. No relocation is offered.

Requirements

• Possess an active U.S. Coast Guard license of 100 tons or above.
• Hold current First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications.
• Have at least two years of experience working on NOAA vessels or similar research or law-enforcement vessels.
• Ability to work collegially with scientists, natural resources managers, and educators.
• Experience operating overhead load-handling equipment such as winches, cranes, and A-frames.
• Experience deploying and recovering scientific equipment, divers, and vessel skiffs using an A-frame, oceanographic winch, capstan, and boat crane.
• Experience performing maintenance on marine engines and systems, with an engineering or mechanical background and troubleshooting experience.
• Working knowledge of current U.S. Coast Guard inland and international navigation rules.
• Working knowledge of FCC marine radio licensing requirements and operating procedures, including marine distress communications.
• Physical ability to lift and carry 75 pounds to assist with mission mobilization and maintenance.
• Physical ability to work in confined machinery spaces and remote, rugged offshore environments.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and experience with the California coastline, especially the Channel Islands.
• Experience driving or following transect lines at low speed.
• Experience with Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) tracking.
• Experience with vessel operations for SCUBA diving at anchor and live boating.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe vessel navigation and mechanical operation in accordance with NOAA policies and vessel manuals and standards, including the NOAA Small Boat Standards and Procedures Manual, NOA 209-125, MARPOL, and COLREGS.
• Exercise prudent judgment, respond to shipboard emergencies, and actively participate in drills.
• Maintain vessels according to NOAA Small Boat Program requirements and conduct an Operational Risk Assessment with crew before departure, including review of weather and sea-state forecasts for the mission area.
• Coordinate emergent repairs to CINMS small-boat assets and oversee shipyard and repair periods; help coordinate engineering work requiring certified contractors or specialists.
• Verify cruise and float plans and frequently communicate with the shore-side point of contact while underway.
• Conduct the vessel pre-departure checklist, provide a safety briefing to embarked personnel at the start of each cruise day, and ensure safety procedures are understood and followed underway.
• Operate deck equipment, including an A-frame, scientific winch, capstan, boat crane, Nitrox dive air compressor, and small skiff.
• Document vessel-related activities in the ship’s log.
• Remain ready and available for emergency responses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed