Experienced Tugboat Captain

Curtin Maritime•Jacksonville, FL

3d•$725 - $1,320

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 apply the company’s values of Innovation, Integrity, and Efficiency while maintaining the Curtin Standard onboard. Employees may live anywhere in the United States; the company coordinates and fully pays for travel to and from the vessel. Responsibilities and qualifications vary by captain level. Captain I duties include inland and coastwise towing and voyage planning, vessel management system operation, recordkeeping, crew leadership, and maintaining professionalism with company staff, regulators, customers, agents, and crews. Captain II adds anchor handling, ocean towing, tandem towing, bar crossings, voyage preparation, critical-path planning, audit leadership, and strategic crew and vessel planning. Captain III is expected to handle towing anywhere in the world, lead crews starting new jobs, plan safe routes and procedures, develop deadship and advanced tandem/triple towing rigging packages, create SOPs, commission vessels, manage drydockings and repairs, and manage projects and customer relationships. The role requires sound judgment in stressful or emergency situations, strong communication and organizational skills, mechanical and logistical reasoning, and the ability to mentor and develop crew. Physical duties include moving around vessels and uneven surfaces, climbing, lifting and handling heavy or awkward equipment, working with lines and rigging, operating deck machinery, and working below decks, including in confined or dark spaces. Employees must be able to swim and perform emergency duties using onboard equipment. Rates include the Curtin Standard Performance Bonus. Employees who meet the stated performance criteria may receive a 20% increase on their base day rate for their next scheduled hitch or month of work. Eligibility is evaluated at the end of a regular-rotation hitch or at the end of the month for local day work; criteria must continue to be met to maintain eligibility. Full details and eligibility requirements will be provided.

Requirements

Captain I minimum license: 200 GRT Master of Towing Vessels Near Coastal, or 500 GRT Master Near Coastal with TOAR.
Passport.
VSO.
For Captain III, minimum 500 GRT Master of Towing Vessels and an Oceans endorsement.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Ability to make safe, effective decisions and remain focused in stressful or potentially dangerous situations.
Proactive sense of responsibility and ownership.
Ability to mentor and support the development of others.
Superior communication skills, including the ability to communicate with office staff and instruct or train crew at multiple levels.
Strong logistical and mechanical reasoning, including understanding vessel mechanics and movement.
Ability to traverse uneven ground and gangways, bend, stoop or squat frequently, and climb steps and ladders several times a day.
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 access.
Ability to work below decks in areas that may be dark and in confined spaces.
Ability to perform emergency duties and use emergency equipment onboard the vessel.
Must be able to swim.

Nice To Haves

STCW Master 500 GT Near Coastal.
Oceans endorsement for Captain I; Captain III requires an Oceans endorsement.
STCW Med PIC for Captain II.
Inland and coastwise towing and voyage-planning proficiency, including tow wire, push, hip, and working in current.
Familiarity with tow pins, surge chains, tow wire etiquette, VHF radio etiquette, lines, and rigging.
Anchor-handling proficiency.
Ocean towing, tandem towing, bar crossings, ocean voyage preparation, and rigging barges for tow.
Critical-path and proactive operational planning; thorough understanding of rigging and cordage.
Experience auditing, completing corrective actions, and leading crews and vessels through audits and inspections.
Thorough understanding of Sub-M, ABS, and USCG requirements.
Deadship rigging and towing, including design of towing packages and components.
Advanced ocean tandem or triple towing and rigging-package design.
Experience creating SOPs, commissioning vessels, managing drydockings and repairs, and managing projects.

Responsibilities

Apply the company values of Innovation, Integrity, and Efficiency and maintain the Curtin Standard onboard.
Plan and execute inland, coastwise, and—depending on captain level—ocean towing voyages and operations.
Operate assigned vessels and use vessel management systems; maintain thorough records and complete required performance evaluations.
Lead, mentor, train, and provide constructive feedback to crew; promote accountability and maintain professionalism with staff, regulators, customers, agents, and crews.
Plan towing arrangements and rigging, including anchor handling, tandem or triple towing, deadship towing, and bar crossings as applicable to captain level.
Conduct and lead audits and inspections, complete corrective actions, and comply with applicable Sub-M, ABS, and USCG requirements.
At the Captain III level, develop SOPs, commission vessels, manage drydockings and repairs, and coordinate projects with customers, agents, and shoreside teams.
Perform emergency duties and use emergency equipment onboard the vessel.
Maintain vessel cleanliness and personal hygiene.

Benefits

Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Short-term disability insurance.
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.
Performance bonus of a 20% increase on base day rate for a subsequent hitch or month of work when eligibility criteria are met.
Company-coordinated, fully paid travel to and from the vessel.