Port Captain

Port Captain

About UnCruise
At UnCruise Adventures, we work together to provide an enriching adventure experience while inspiring an appreciation of local cultures and the natural world. This means we kayak among icebergs, travel to hidden waterfalls, snorkel with sea lions, dive with manta rays, and share air with whales. Our destinations include Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortes, and Galapagos. Every team member plays a role in bringing the adventure to life.

Job Summary 
Reporting to the Director of Nautical Operations, the Port Captain plays a pivotal role in overseeing the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of UnCruise Adventures’ fleet of adventure passenger vessels. With a primary focus on Alaska itineraries, this role requires exceptional leadership, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. The Port Captain ensures seamless collaboration between vessel crews, shoreside teams, and regulatory bodies, driving operational excellence and delivering exceptional guest experiences. This position emphasizes preventative maintenance, strong management skills, and upholding the company’s high standards of adventure travel. This exempt, full-time position is based in Seattle, WA, or Juneau, Alaska and requires regular on-site presence. 

Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence:

• Oversee day-to-day operations of assigned vessels, ensuring compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and maritime best practices.
• Monitor and maintain safety standards, addressing operational challenges proactively.
• Collaborate with the Director of Nautical Operations to optimize itineraries, vessel logistics, and passenger experience.

Management and Leadership:

• Lead and mentor vessel captains and crew to promote a positive, safety-focused culture.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to the onboard leadership team.
• Coordinate crew schedules, ensuring adequate staffing levels and adherence to rest-hour regulations.
• In conjunction with the Director of Nautical Operations provides expertise and support on development of onboard training resources and references and selects policies, procedures, and reference materials for improvement which include but are not limited to small boat training, deck assessments, watch officer assessments, familiarizations, navigation equipment and procedure management. 
• Maintains active knowledge of deck personnel job performance, as well as review of onboard performance evaluations. Working with Vessel Captains to ensure employee files are up to date. 
• Attend the vessels regularly and provides watch standing and operational training and support to mates and captains when needed - potentially serving as pilot or trainer on board. 

Preventative Maintenance:

• Partner with the port engineering team to ensure preventative maintenance plans are executed effectively.
• Participate in vessel inspections and audits, identifying and addressing potential issues before they impact operations.
• In coordination with the Safety Manager, reviews and responds as appropriate to all deck related Preventative Maintenance Program (PMP) items due and filed in the HELM system, the company’s PMP software database.
• Review and manage maintenance documentation, ensuring timely completion of required repairs and updates.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight:

• Maintain vessel compliance with USCG, SOLAS, and other relevant maritime regulations.
• Communicate with Flag, Classification Society and other Agency representatives as needed for the Safari Voyager – will work in concert with the Safety Department. 
• Manage the upkeep and recordkeeping associated with ship’s certificates for Safari Voyager, and domestic fleet for IRS, SKAN, FDA, ADEC, USCG. 
• Stay current on industry standards and implement changes as necessary to maintain compliance.

Qualifications

• Current USCG 100-Ton Master’s License with recent experience on passenger vessels, preferably adventure-focused operations in Alaska.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a leadership role in the maritime industry, with strong operational and management skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of maritime regulations, safety management systems, and preventative maintenance programs.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster teamwork and resolve conflicts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with HELM or similar fleet management systems is a plus.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time to support vessel operations, inspections, and crew training.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Typical office environment. Position may require bending, climbing, reaching, repetitive motion, and lifting.
• Ability to work onboard vessels as needed, including in confined spaces or outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Work Schedule
This position primarily follows a Monday through Friday schedule. However, weekend work may be required depending on operational needs, such as during shipyard periods, season start-ups, or shutdowns. Flexibility is essential to support the dynamic nature of the role and the demands of maintaining a safe, efficient, and high-performing fleet. While the standard work hours are aligned with regular business operations, the Port Captain must be available to address critical issues as they arise.

Pay and Employee Benefits

• Pay – Salary exempt position with the range of $85,000 - $120,000.
• Cruise Benefit – Explore the world as our guests do: employees receive one complimentary cruise for two people every year, after each year of employment.
• Health and Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and flexible spending account options.
• 401k – Employees are eligible after 6 months of employment with an employer match.
• Time off – Enjoy ten company-paid holidays annually. Earn paid vacation and sick time throughout the year, and qualify for more vacation days as you gain tenure.
• Give Back to the Community – Make a difference by volunteering for non-profit and community organizations that you choose using two company-paid VTO (volunteer time off) days each year.
• Eco-Commute – When you commute to work without the use of a single-occupancy motorized vehicle you will receive a daily stipend. You can carpool, walk, bike, take the bus, or kayak.  
• Free Parking – Employees park for free at our Seattle office on days they commute by car.
• Housing – This position qualifies for onboard housing, on one of the company ships, while moored at Fishermen’s Terminal from mid-September to early May.   

Disclaimer Statement  
This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee in this position.  It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required or persons so classified or assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

It is the policy of UnCruise Adventures not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, marital status, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or veteran status in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by law.