Port Captain

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd•Miami, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Port Captain is a full-time, onsite position based in Miami, Florida, within Royal Caribbean Group’s Global Marine Operations Team. Reporting to the Fleet Captain, the Port Captain acts as deputy to the AVP Safety & Nautical (Fleet Captain) and supports day-to-day marine operations for the Silversea fleets, with particular focus on safety and navigation. The role supports 12 vessels and helps ensure their efficient and effective operation within the cruise industry. The position works across internal teams and shipboard leadership to support safe operations, regulatory compliance, vessel maintenance, navigation, crew training, and itinerary planning. The Port Captain also serves as a point of contact for nautical matters and escalated safety situations, and contributes to the development and consistent application of nautical policies and procedures across the fleet.

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience aboard cruise vessels, including at least 3 years in a Senior Officer position.
Valid Seamen book and Master certificates.
Educational background in the marine field.
Specific certifications or qualifications, such as maritime safety or navigation.
Familiarity with Silversea and/or Royal Caribbean Group navigational and emergency procedures.
Extensive professional experience in a maritime setting, preferably within the cruise industry.
Understanding of the specific requirements of working on a cruise ship.
Strong knowledge of maritime safety regulations and practices.
Familiarity with vessel maintenance and safety procedures.
Understanding of marine injury prevention and workplace safety initiatives.
Experience overseeing and implementing corrective actions and lessons learned.
Knowledge of shoreside training programs for Marine Officers.
Ability to lead safety- and navigation-related projects in Marine and Nautical Operations.
Experience hiring and overseeing Bridge Officers.
Familiarity with routine regulatory matters, including certificate management and safety inspections.
Understanding of vessel stability reports.
Ability to coordinate with the Technical team on Class-related issues, inspections, and surveys.
Technical knowledge and skills related to safety, navigation, and maritime operations.
Strong communication skills and ability to motivate and lead a team.
Exceptional leadership, including setting clear expectations and driving performance improvement.
Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, multicultural maritime environment.
Adaptability and flexibility in changing cruise-industry circumstances.
Good knowledge of Windows systems, Microsoft Office, and platforms.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with internal stakeholders, including Human Resources, Newbuild, Maritime Safety Standards, Training, Security, and Environmental Stewardship.
Support Ship Managers with Marine Class-related issues, inspections, surveys, vessel maintenance, and safety-related reports.
Oversee and implement marine injury-prevention and workplace-safety initiatives.
Coordinate with Maritime Safety on corrective actions, lessons learned, and GPA discussions and reviews.
Monitor the company’s shoreside training program for Deck Officers.
Lead special projects related to safety and navigation in Marine and Nautical Operations.
Evaluate and interview Bridge Officer candidates and oversee hiring in conjunction with the AVP Safety & Nautical.
Support the Expedition Department on marine and safety matters and relevant permits.
Support nautical policies and procedures and promote standardization across the Silversea fleet.
Participate in itinerary change and itinerary integrity check committee meetings to review future itineraries and nautical feasibility of itinerary changes.
Support ship captains with marine matters and itinerary changes within 30 days.
Serve as a point of contact for other departments on nautical issues and queries.
Implement, review, and develop nautical and navigation procedures in conjunction with Royal Caribbean Group.
Develop technical itineraries for empty and repositioning voyages, and assist with new itineraries involving changes within 30 days of execution or non-revenue cruises.
Review monthly nautical and navigation reports.
Represent Silversea in the Nautical Working Group within Royal Caribbean Group.
Monitor vessel maintenance and safety-related reports.
Liaise with the Technical team on Class-related issues, inspections, and surveys to ensure repairs, inspections, and upgrades are completed in a timely manner.
Monitor vessel stability reports and liaise with the Newbuild team regarding future stability enhancements.
Serve as the point of contact for Situation Alerts involving weather, propulsion, fire, collision, grounding, or other Safety of Life at Sea matters for companies under Global Fleet Management (Silversea).