Experienced Tugboat Captain

Curtin Maritime•Long Beach, CA

3d•$725 - $1,320•Onsite

About The Position

Curtin Maritime is hiring experienced Dredge Tugboat Captains at Captain I, II, and III levels. Captains work directly with the Port Captain and are expected to uphold the company’s values of Innovation, Integrity, and Efficiency and maintain the Curtin Standard onboard. The company coordinates and fully pays travel to and from the vessel; applicants may live anywhere in the United States. The role combines vessel operation and voyage planning with safety, compliance, recordkeeping, crew leadership, and mentoring. Responsibilities and required qualifications vary by captain level, with higher levels requiring increasingly advanced towing, vessel-management, audit, project-management, and crew-training capabilities. The listed daily rates include the Curtin Standard Performance Bonus. Eligible employees who meet the applicable criteria may receive a 20% increase on their base day rate for their next scheduled hitch or month of work. Curtin Maritime describes itself as a Marine Construction and Marine Transportation company with 25 years of industry experience and a focus on quality maritime solutions.

Requirements

Captain I: Minimum 200 GRT Master of Towing Vessels Near Coastal, or 500 GRT Master Near Coastal with TOAR.
Captain II: All Captain I licenses and requirements.
Captain III: All Captain I and II licenses and requirements, plus minimum 500 GRT Master of Towing Vessels and an Oceans endorsement.
Passport.
VSO.
Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
Ability to make safe, effective decisions under stress and potentially dangerous conditions.
Proactive sense of responsibility and ownership.
Strong communication, logistical reasoning, and mechanical reasoning skills.
Ability to understand vessel mechanics and movement and to plan and execute voyages.
Ability to mentor and help develop others.
Physical ability to traverse uneven ground and gangways, bend, stoop, squat, and climb steps or ladders frequently.
Ability to safely lift at least 40 pounds and move heavy, large, or awkward equipment.
Physical dexterity and strength to handle lines, make up tows with wire rigging, operate deck machinery, and work on equipment with limited accessibility.
Ability to work below decks in periods of darkness and in confined spaces.
Ability to perform emergency duties and use emergency equipment onboard.
Must be able to swim.
Captain I vessel proficiency: Inland and coastwise towing and voyage planning, including tow wire, push, hip, and working in current; proper use of tow pins, surge chains, tow wire, VHF radio, lines, and rigging.
Captain I compliance and leadership: Proficiency operating VMS, understanding and complying with the Curtin Standard, thorough recordkeeping, vessel ownership, project assignment, accountability, professionalism, crew coaching, and performance evaluations.
Captain II vessel proficiency: Anchor handling; skilled operation of assigned vessels; ocean towing, tandem towing, and bar crossings; ocean voyage preparation and barge rigging; critical-path and proactive operational planning; thorough understanding of rigging and cordage.
Captain II compliance and leadership: Full use and operation of VMS; experience auditing and completing corrective actions; thorough understanding of Sub-M, ABS, and USCG requirements; ability to lead crews and vessels through audits and inspections; impeccable recordkeeping; lead by example and be capable of performing basic duties of other onboard crew; strategic planning that accounts for STCW rest requirements and operational downtime.
Captain III proficiency and leadership: Ability to tow a wide range of loads worldwide across different vessels and crews; pathfinding and starting new jobs; deadship rigging and towing, including towing-package design; advanced ocean tandem and triple towing and rigging-package design; experience creating SOPs, commissioning vessels, completing and developing audits, training others in VMS, managing drydockings and repairs, and acting as a project manager.

Nice To Haves

Captain I: STCW Master 500 GT Near Coastal and Oceans endorsement.
Captain II: STCW Med PIC.
Captain II: All Captain I preferred licenses and requirements.
Captain III: All Captain I and II preferred licenses and requirements.

Responsibilities

Work directly with the Port Captain and apply the company’s core values and Curtin Standard onboard.
Plan and execute towing voyages and operate assigned vessels, including inland, coastwise, and, at higher levels, ocean towing operations.
Use towing equipment and rigging appropriately, including tow pins, surge chains, tow wire, lines, and rigging; perform anchor handling and advanced towing operations as applicable to level.
Maintain thorough vessel records and use the Vessel Management System (VMS); complete corrective actions and support or lead audits and inspections as applicable to level.
Manage and mentor crew members, provide constructive feedback, complete required performance evaluations, and maintain a continuous training environment onboard.
Assign projects, hold crew accountable, and maintain professional relationships with company staff, regulators, customers, agents, and crews.
Plan operations strategically, including crew watches and rest requirements, and coordinate provisions, fuel, water, spare parts, and other supplies.
At Captain III level, lead crews starting new jobs; identify safe routes, procedures, efficiencies, notifications, and training needs.
At Captain III level, develop towing packages for deadship and advanced tandem or triple towing operations, create SOPs, and help commission new vessels.
At Captain III level, manage drydockings and repairs and coordinate projects with customers, agents, and Curtin’s shoreside team.
Carry out emergency duties and use emergency equipment onboard.

Benefits

Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Short-term disability coverage.
AD&D and life insurance.
401(k) with company match.
Option to elect additional life insurance for the employee and dependents.
Option to elect a Health and/or Dependent Flexible Spending Account.
Fully paid, company-coordinated travel to and from the vessel.
Performance bonus: eligible employees meeting the Curtin Standard criteria may receive a 20% increase on their base day rate for their next scheduled hitch or month of work.