Small Boat Captain

CARDINAL POINT CAPTAINS INC•Savannah, GA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Cardinal Point Captains, Inc. (CPC) is seeking an experienced and well-qualified boat captain to provide vessel support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS), homeported at the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) at Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA. GRNMS operates and maintains a newly built 52’ aluminum catamaran research vessel, R5202, and a 36’ rigid hull inflatable boat, R3601. The vessels support the sanctuary and partner organization scientific research and long-term monitoring activities, resource protection activities (e.g., mapping, habitat characterization, marine debris, invasive species, response), and education and outreach activities as well as assisting with local emergency response situations. The vessels support activities including Scuba diving, glider and ROV deployment, and deploying and retrieving instruments from the sanctuary and along the South Atlantic Bight, from inshore to offshore waters generally not exceeding 100 miles or 200 meters in depth. Missions may require extended transit and temporary mooring from Cape Hatteras, NC, to Cape Canaveral, FL. CPC is looking for a boat captain with experience with missions in the field of marine sciences. Our ideal candidate will not only be a capable boat handler but also experienced in the maintenance of small boats.

Requirements

Possess an active USCG license (100 tons or above). No candidates will be considered for this position without a 100-ton license.
Valid driver’s license.
Current Frist Aid, CPR and AED certifications.
At least 2 years of experience working on NOAA vessels, or similar research or law enforcement vessels embarked with scientific personnel.
Ability to work collegially with scientists, natural resources managers, and educators.
Experience operating overhead load handling equipment such as winches, cranes, A-Frames, and small cranes.
Experience operating small boats to support scuba dive operations, including operations at anchor and live boating.
Experience with deployment and recovery of scientific equipment and divers.
Experience performing maintenance and troubleshooting tasks on marine systems.
Maintain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license.
Physically able to lift and carry 75 pounds to assist with mission mobilization and maintenance.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge/ experience with waterways in the Savannah and GRNMS area is preferred.

Responsibilities

Piloting, maintenance, and upkeep of vessels and marine facilities on an as needed basis while serving as crew.
Assisting the Superintendent and VOC in maintaining a marine operations budget and financial ledger of expenditures and obligations for all vessels and marine facilities.
Helping develop and refine sanctuary marine standing operating and maintenance procedures for all vessels.
Assisting the VOC with logistical details including arranging for fueling, pier space, and delivery of repair parts, galley stores, and supplies in harbors as required per the particular requirements of each vessel and port facilities.
Ensuring that all vessels are properly docked or moored, and are left ready for immediate operation in the event of an emergency, and in preparation for the next mission.
Helping maintain vessels in a clean and orderly manner including freshwater wash downs after every mission.
Conducting unscheduled/unplanned maintenance and minor repairs on vessel systems and equipment, document all work completed in the online vessel maintenance log (DOCKSIDE), and update the preventative maintenance database after completion of maintenance activities.
Helping coordinate, prepare for and participate in inspections of vessels, including an review risk assessment for each vessel.
Assisting in the inspections as they require and maintain safety equipment in accordance with USCG and NOAA policies.
As operator-in-charge, documenting all vessel-related activities in the boat’s log including safety drills.
Ensuring the safety of all persons on board, including conducting or assisting with a pre- mission safety briefing for all embarked personnel prior to every cruise, and ensure that all safety procedures as required by the NOAA Small Boat Policy and other regulations, are understood and adhered to while underway.
As required by the NOAA Small Boat Policy and other regulations, conducting periodic fire, man overboard and abandon ship drills on shore, or when underway.
Ensuring the efficient contribution of the vessel and its crew to the accomplishment of the vessel’s mission.
In preparation for, and during storm events, assisting the VOC and other sanctuary staff with the securing and monitoring of the vessels and marine facilities.
Helping maintain the GRNMS warehouse and vessel equipment locker(s) in a clean and orderly manner, including repair and replacement of supplies and equipment.
Attending required NOAA training and other identified on-the-job training on an as needed basis.
Assisting sanctuary staff with small boat support of mission activities including scientific research and monitoring, resource protection, and education and outreach activities including Scuba diving, oceanographic monitoring; biological sampling, mapping, and surveys; and summarizing data.
Assisting with the development of sanctuary management documents (e.g. standard operating procedures, guidance for partner organizations) and education and outreach materials related to sanctuary marine operations.