Chief Mate

HIRING STATUS, 3/22: All Chief Mate positions for the Alaska Summer sailing season are full. We still collect applications and interview well qualified candidates incase a position becomes available. 

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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, the Hawaiian Islands, & Baja California.

CREW BENEFITS

• Heath care benefits (medical, dental, vision) 
• $60 / month cell phone reimbursement
• Travel expenses paid in full by UnCruise (policy requirements)
• Credential fee reimbursement (qualifications required)
• Rotation schedule (6-8 weeks sailing with 2-3 weeks off) 
• Room and board when scheduled 
• Pro deals 

JOB SUMMARY 

This position begins in shipyard (Seattle, WA) over the winter months prior to the summer 2024 Alaska Sailing Season. Alaska vessels: Wilderness Discoverer, Safari Endeavour, Wilderness Legacy, Safari Quest, and Safari Explorer. 

The Chief Mate supervises, trains, and coordinates activities of the deck force and is responsible for assisting with the vessel’s piloting, navigation, safety, security, first aid, cleanliness, and small boat operations. The Chief Mate reports to the Master of the vessel.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience operating port-to-port in Southeast Alaska, preferred.
• At least 360 sea days of Mate experience on passenger-carrying vessels, including supervisory responsibility and social interaction with guests.
• Excellent crisis management skills; able to act quickly with confidence while exercising sound judgment.
• Strong time management skills: able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Personal computer experience: MS Windows applications with extensive use of MS Word and MS Excel.
• Communicate effectively in both one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees.
• Excellent written English language skills, with the ability to prepare documents and reports in a timely manner.       
• Able to perform voyage planning and navigational calculations as well as lifting and rigging calculations appropriate to vessel operations.
• Able to problem solve and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid Passport
• Drug/Alcohol Test Specimen Collector (company provided)
• CPR / First Aid / AED  
• Advanced Medical Training (e.g., Med Care Provider, WFR, EMT) 
• Radar Observer Unlimited 
• Medical Certificate 
• USCG 100T Master License (1)  
• Valid TWIC (2) 
• FCC Marine Radio Operator’s Permit (2) 
• STCW Basic Training (taken in the last 5 years (3)   
• STCW Crowd Management  (3) 
• STCW Crisis Management  (3) 
• VPDSD (3) 
• STCW Advanced Fire Fighting (3) 
• Bridge Resource Management (3)       
• STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft (3)   
• ECDIS Endorsement (3) 
• STCW Leadership and Managerial Skills (3) 
• GMDSS Endorsement (3) 
• Vessel Security Officer (3) 

1. Near Coastal License required for all Alaska and Safari Explorer Hawaii itineraries. 
2. Required for all vessels
3. Company preferred 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Train and supervisor deck team in docking, anchoring, watch duties, safety, routine ship and inflatable maintenance, cleaning and maintaining deck, and superstructure. 
• Direct the deck team and handle communications between bridge, crew, and dock personnel during docking procedures.
• Evaluate and document the performance of the deck team, reward and discipline employees, address complaints and resolve problems.
• Maintain professional demeanor with guests, crew, staff, agents, officials, and the public. Participate in guest activities as directed by the Captain.
• Assume command of the ship in the event the Captain becomes incapacitated.
• Inspect the vessel for overall cleanliness, including engine room, deck areas, crew quarters, windows, and exterior hull.
• Maintain deck supply inventories and requisitions.
• Act as vessel security officer.
• Prepare vessel for and attend all U.S. Coast Guard annual dry docks and inspections.
• Review and update watch and duty work lists.
• Assist the Master in communicating and enforcing all company policies and procedures.

Watch Duty:

• Assume responsibility for bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods.  Determine geographical position of the ship, using all available means such as GPS, radar ranges, visual observations, depth sounders, etc.
• Make necessary entries in navigation and radio logs.
• Handle the vessel (as directed by the Captain) in docking, anchoring, piloting, en route, in close quarters and open sea conditions.
• Navigate vessel to ensure avoidance of marine hazards such as reefs, outlying shoals, shallow waters, etc. using aids to navigation such as lights, lighthouses, and buoys.

Small Boat Operations:

• Drive inflatable boats as needed.
• Assist with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.

Safety and Security:

• Follow company safety and pollution prevention policies and procedures and request supervisory assistance/guidance when necessary.
• Direct crew in emergency drills.  Conduct onboard safety training and drills as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
• Perform gangway watch as directed by the duty schedule.
• Act as vessel Medical Officer; maintain first aid kits and medical supplies on board as well as filling out all guest, crew and staff injury/illness reports.  Assist Captain with treating injured/ill guests and crew.  Ensure proper handling and disposal of biohazards. Contact emergency services when required.
• Maintain and administer vessel Preventive Maintenance Plan and Safety Training Program.
• Oversee vessel hazard communications program and related training, including Material Safety Data Sheets and utilization of personal protective equipment.
• Participate in shore side training as required by the company. 
• Ensure compliance with the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response Activities; report non-conformities to vessel master and appropriate shore-side personnel.

WORK SCHEDULE

Daily 12-hour shifts are comprised of approximately two 4-hour watches, plus 4 hours of administrative and supervisory activities. However, each workday may vary depending on overall needs of the vessel and/or vessel personnel. This position may require overnight and/or night shift hours.

ONBOARD ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Living Conditions- Crew live in close quarters with 4 to 8 crew per room depending on the vessel. Having your own room is not an option due to limited berthing.
• Length of Work Shift- Physically able to work 12 hours per day, 7 days a week for 6 to 8 weeks at a time. Rotations off the vessel are usually 2 to 3 weeks.
• Mobility- Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, kneeling, crawling, and pushing/pulling.  Must ascend and descend stairs and ladders, sometimes while carrying tools or objects. Able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Handling/Strength- Able to handle, lift, and lower objects totaling 50 pounds between the ground/deck level to a height of about 4 to 6 feet, and able to repeat these movements.  Able to carry these objects up to 100 feet continuously for 20 minutes.
• Environmental Conditions- Able to work in all weather conditions, around loud noise, in small spaces, and fit through a 28-inch wide hatch.

BASE PAY

• Summer season, $305 - $380 / day. Wage range is based on vessel placement

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.