Captain- MV Capt Allen Billiot (Current Employees Only May Apply)

Blessey Marine•New Orleans, LA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Captain is responsible for the safe, efficient, reliable, and environmentally compliant operation of the assigned vessel and any attached barges. The Captain, Relief Captain, and Pilot manage the vessel, ensure crew compliance with U.S. Coast Guard and company policies, navigate safely, supervise the crew, oversee safety programs, comply with towing rules and regulations, and protect the environment. The position takes work assignments from the Operations Department. The Pilot supervises while the Master is asleep and has management responsibility while on watch; the Relief Captain serves as Pilot when the Master is aboard and as Master when the Master is home. The Captain must be able to safely perform essential duties across vessel roles, including deckhand and tankerman tasks. The position is aboard the Capt. Allen Billiot, a 1,700 HP vessel, operating in the I.C.W.W. from Mobile to Brownsville and the Gulf Coast from BR to Nola. The tow complement is listed as 1–4 10K barges, 2–20K barges, and 2–30K barges. The stated crew complement is five people: two wheelhouse crew, two tankermen, and a deckhand. The schedule is 28 days on and 14 days off, changing to 20 days on and 10 days off on January 1, 2027. Work includes six-hour shifts around the clock, additional hours if necessary, and additional days as operations require. The Captain lives and works aboard the vessel in close quarters and may be away from home for extended periods. The Captain trains and supervises crew, evaluates performance, navigates waterways and vessel traffic using vessel equipment, oversees vessel and tow cleaning and maintenance, and supervises cargo loading, transportation, and discharge. The Captain represents the company in day-to-day dealings with customers and government representatives, coordinates on-site emergency response, and performs routine engine-room maintenance on smaller vessels. The role also includes maintaining records and vessel documentation, conducting inspections and incident investigations, approving requisitions, and ensuring safe, sanitary, and orderly working and living conditions. The Captain must hold and maintain the U.S. Coast Guard marine documents and/or licenses required for the Master, Relief Captain, or Pilot role on inland waters and the Great Lakes, and must be able to meet renewal requirements. The position requires a U.S. Coast Guard boat license and/or marine document for the vessel operated, a TWIC card, and a valid driver’s license for company vehicles. A Designated Examiner is preferred, or the employee must be willing to obtain one. Two or more combined years as a current Captain or Relief Captain on a Blessey vessel and five years of service with Blessey Marine are preferred. The Captain must be willing to train or post BMS Wheelmen and Steersmen as needed.

Requirements

Hold and maintain the U.S. Coast Guard marine documents and/or licenses required for the Master, Relief Captain, or Pilot position on inland waters and the Great Lakes, and meet requirements for renewal and maintenance.
Possess a U.S. Coast Guard boat license and/or marine document for the vessel operated.
Possess a TWIC card.
Possess a valid driver’s license for operation of company vehicles.
Be willing to train or post BMS Wheelmen and Steersmen as needed.
Navigate safely by operating navigational controls, propulsion, engines, gears, and mechanical and electrical equipment under varying environmental conditions.
Read office updates, procedure manuals, safety memos, federal and state documents, manifests, and requisitions.
Maintain vessel logs, complete checklists, and take written exams as required by the company or governmental agencies.
Interpret and use maps and charts.
Communicate effectively with dispatchers, crewmembers, other Masters, Relief Captains, Pilots, Port Engineers, Coast Guard inspectors, and others.
Direct crew members, resolve disputes, and maintain crew morale.
Make quick, effective decisions considering weather, vessel and waterway characteristics, traffic, and crew capabilities.
Remain mentally and physically stable under pressure and withstand job-related stress, discomfort, unpredictable weather, and potentially hazardous situations.
Work aboard the vessel for prolonged periods according to its schedule and live in close quarters away from home for extended periods.
Work six-hour shifts around the clock and additional hours if necessary; a licensed towing-vessel operator may not work more than 12 hours in a consecutive 24-hour period except in an emergency.
Be willing to work additional days as operations require and remain drug- and alcohol-free on company property during the course and scope of company business.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals and present information and respond to questions from groups.
Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form.

Nice To Haves

Two or more combined years as a current Captain or Relief Captain on a Blessey vessel.
Five years of service with Blessey Marine.
Possess a Designated Examiner, or be willing to obtain one.

Responsibilities

Manage the vessel and all attached barges, ensuring crew adherence to U.S. Coast Guard and company policies.
Navigate safely and supervise vessel operations, crew, safety programs, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection.
Train and supervise crew in safe and efficient work, provide orientation to new employees, and provide navigation experience to senior crewmembers.
Evaluate crewmember performance and direct the crew to complete work safely and efficiently.
Use steering controllers, throttles, radar compasses, short-wave radios, depth finders, loud hailers, and other equipment to navigate waterways, docks, locks, and vessel traffic.
Supervise cleaning and maintenance of the vessel and tow, as well as cargo loading, transportation, and discharge.
Represent the company in daily dealings with customers and governmental agency representatives.
Coordinate on-site emergency response and assist with safety, rescue, and emergency firefighting operations.
Perform routine engine-room maintenance on smaller vessels, including checking and changing oil and changing fuel filters.
Attend company training on new procedures and operations, including vapor recovery, benzene regulations, and firefighting.
Organize periodic operational meetings on safety, quality systems, and other company topics, and brief crew on customer requirements.
Ensure safe, sanitary, and orderly vessel living and working conditions, and maintain crew morale, hygiene, and efficiency.
Ensure company safety rules and environmental regulations are followed, and wear required personal protective equipment.
Ensure vessel and barge documentation is current, aboard, and assigned to the correct vessel.
Maintain the vessel log, including towing jobs, actions, speed, and times.
Approve requisitions for equipment, materials, repairs, supplies, and food; verify barge manifests.
Conduct initial investigations of injuries, illnesses, and accidents, and complete required forms and reports.
Conduct monthly physical inspections of the vessel, including safety and firefighting equipment, licenses, and documentation.
Maintain vigilance during six-hour wheelhouse shifts and work additional hours or days when required by operations.
Safely pull or assist in pulling a 200–300 lb. person from the water.
Evaluate and treat minor medical conditions and injuries within the scope of knowledge and abilities.
Resolve disputes among crewmembers and remain calm while making timely navigation and vessel-operation decisions.