Position Description
Deckhand III/Relief Captain
Description
This position reports to the Port Captain. It is primarily responsible for monitoring pilot safety, performing engine room checks and performing duties such as cooking, cleaning of boat and light maintenance as required. Candidates with a 100-ton license will immediately begin training for Relief Captain status (see duties in second position description). After completing the captain training and vessel orientation, the position will provide relief captain coverage during the deckhand off-time schedule. The primary position work schedule allocation remains Deckhand III.
Qualifications/Skills
· High school diploma or GED equivalent.
· Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Mechanical aptitude a plus.
· Ability to write routine correspondence and keep accurate logs.
· Physical stamina, manual dexterity, and ability to lift up to 50lbs.
· Ability to cook and clean.
· Excellent judgment and discretion; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously, meet deadlines, and handle work- related stress is required.
· Proficient with computers and to learn Sinex software.
· Friendly, respectful, and customer service oriented. Ability to work with all types of personalities and communication styles.
· Recognize problems, identify possible causes and resolve routine problems.
· Ability to work a flexible schedule unannounced and as required.
· Ability to work in ever changing weather and hazardous conditions.
Duties & Responsibilities
· Assists pilots embarking or disembarking.
· Successfully acquires and secures pilots bags/computers and transports items to requested room.
· Communicates with the Captain when a man is overboard as well assist the man overboard with a life vest and/or hoist them from the water. Responsible for keeping eyes on the man in water and reporting position.
· Conducts engine checks every 1 to 2 hours and report to Captain
o Reports through Sinex any items needing attention in port.
o Responsible for light maintenance and emergency repairs
o Proactively address minor issues as possible before they become more significant or a threat to safety.
· Responsible for checking the following on each shift:
o All compartments to check rams and fittings for leaks.
o Check all welds for unusual appearance.
o All safety equipment on board.
o Check all boats at dock and keep clean and ready to go at all times.
o Check all restrooms and clean as required.
· Controls lines to moor vessel to wharves, tie up vessel to another vessel, or rig towing lines.
· Sweeps and washes decks, using broom, brushes, mops, and fire hose.
· Lowers and mans lifeboat in case of emergencies.
· Moves controls or turns handwheels to raise or lower passenger or vehicle landing ramps or kelp-cutter mechanism.
· Splices and repairs cables and ropes, using hand tools.
· Examines cables that hold vessels in tow and tightens cables to ensure vessels are snug.
· Log every ship in/out of port
· Cleans and ensures boat is sanitized at all times. Responsible for changing linens and brining the soiled linens to the dock in the yellow bag provided.
· Responsible for documenting grocery needs and requests on a regular basis and ordering per Port Captain procedures.
· Responsible for cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special order meals at Pilots request as well as ensuring counters and kitchen is left clean.
· Responsible for acting as the temporary wheel man on Captain breaks.
· Other duties and responsibilities as required or requested
Recommendations from Deckhands:
1. Pilots place name tags on each of their bags
2. Keep weight of bags to 30-35 lbs.
3. Engine Checks – you have to have the experience to be able to do this – train with the Captains to get the experience
4. Expected to be beginner engineers and the people they are hiring are painters (I sensed some Frustration among the team)
5. Need to have 2 deckhands at all times to even come close to being able to fulfill all duties on board a ship
6. Sinex and computer work – takes too much time due to internet being “sketchy” when out at sea
7. Need to ensure that they get the required time off as they stated most days they get very little rest time in between shifts. Less than 6 hours sometimes
8. Lowest paid in industry and are required to do more than most in this position
Role: Relief captain - Pilot Boat Operator
Responsibilities
· Transport pilots, crew and guests as needed for effective operations and per the working rules throughout all areas of the Houston Ship Channel, dock locations, and open ocean environments.
o Transport duties include transfer of people and equipment between moving vessels
o Additional less frequent assignments may include vessel travel to/from shipyards, safe havens away from emergency weather zones or emergency assistance with other ports
· Plan and execute boat movements with emphasis on time management to ensure pilot jobs are fulfilled in correct priority order for boarding/offboarding to prevent channel delays
· Use operating knowledge of pilot and vessel assignment rules, pilot job prioritization, Dispatch procedures to organize rally points and plan boat movements.
· Responsible for safety of crew, pilots/pilot transfers, vessel, surrounding vessels, waterway/environmental concerns.
· Appropriately monitor and communicate information related to vessel compliance with all governmental regulations and Company policies
· Communicate regularly with Dispatch operations and vessels to be boarded/offboarded.
· Captain of the boat. Ensures that all reported activities and requests for all crews are addressed. Includes:
o Ensuring captained vessel is timely ready for assignment to duty
o Managing crew handover documentation and communication when transitioning on and off watch, ensuring next crew has the information needed to continue safe and seamless operations
o Prioritizing maintenance requests; reviewing prior maintenance entries to manage progress and address any onboard issues
- Maintaining familiarity with all critical vessel technologies used in the fleet
o Serving as first point of contact for crew employee relations, attendance, discipline issues; Escalate to Port Captain as appropriate.
o Execution or oversight, as applicable, of training for the boat crews including new deckhands working on watch and deckhands advancing in operator training
o Completion of annual performance evaluations
o Identification and communication of need for, and execution of special or supplemental training where required for safe and effective operations
· Manage all on-board duties for the watch served as well as complete the hand over to the next watch and/or shore crew for follow-up maintenance issues and service requests. Oversight includes:
o Deckhand tasks and general monitoring of mechanical systems
o Relaying mechanical problems to shore crew
o Emergency repairs while under way
o Sinex system usage and tracking
o Onboard supplies
· Manage crew in the successful completion of non-maritime duties that are part of boat operations: meal preparation, cleaning, other as needed.
· Support company policies and initiatives to drive proper application among vessel staff. Including items such as: fuel tank, Sinex, training programs, etc.
· Special projects and additional duties as assigned.
· Emergency response management and execution of procedures concerning the vessel under operation, interactions with other pilot transportation vessels, ship interactions, other port traffic, weather events, dock operations.
Other Requirements
- 100-ton USCG license and successful retention of such, including al USCG compliance requirements
- 5+ years experience as Captain
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must be able to safely and confidently operate vessels in all weather conditions and participate in a 24/7 rotating schedule, which includes ability to work nights, weekend, and holidays
- Ability to make split-second decisions in high pressure situations with ease and accuracy
- Ability to delegate, communicate instructions to stakeholders, and seek information (boat crew, shore support, dispatch, manager, and pilots) to coordinate operational logistics and mitigate mechanical issues that arise while in operation and maintaining professionalism with all parties Ability to work with all personality types with ability to communicate effectively via radio, cellular and email/data systems
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $215.00 - $430.00 per day
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Profit sharing
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 12 hour shift
- Day shift
- Holidays
- Night shift
- Rotating shift
- Rotating weekends
Experience:
- Maritime: 5 years (Required)
- working in rough seas: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Preferred)
- 100 Ton license (Preferred)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
- Night Shift (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Galveston, TX 77550 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Galveston, TX 77550: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person