Boat Captain

Job Description

Job Description

Reports to: Fleet Captain & Director Marine Operations

Category: Seasonal

Salary: $30 per hour

Location: Icy Strait Point

Position Summary:

The Captain is responsible for every aspect of the tour, voyage and vessel. Under advisement of the Fleet Captain follows set courses and speed, direct crew members, and ensure that the guests are happy and proper procedures are followed. Maintains logs and records of the ship's movements and whale sightings. They ensure the guest experience is excellent and supervises the loading and unloading of passengers.

Supervision Responsibilities:

As the captain, you are an acting supervisor of your crew as assigned. You will be responsible for the actions of your deckhands on and off vessel. You are to help enforce all policies and guidelines presented by Icy Strait Point, and Marine management. Responsibilities include the following:

• Hold deckhands accountable for assigned duties, including punctuality, attendance, preparedness, professional conduct, vessel appearance, equipment care, and completion of operational tasks.
• Provide immediate leadership during emergencies or unexpected operational situations, directing deckhands in accordance with established emergency response procedures.
• Work closely with other Captains, Marine Operations Management, and dock staff to coordinate staffing and ensure efficient vessel and passenger operations.
• Set the standard for professionalism, safety, customer service, and teamwork, maintaining a visible leadership presence during all marine operations.
• Ensure assigned deckhands maintain proper uniform standards and professional appearance.
• Ensure deckhands follow all rules, policies, procedures, and directives established by Marine Operations management and company leadership
• Ensure deckhands remain flexible and willing to assist with changing operational needs, including reassignment of duties or work areas when necessary to support safe and efficient marine operations.
• Provide clear expectations and direction to deckhands regarding workplace conduct, attendance, punctuality, communication, teamwork, and professional behavior.
• Address performance, conduct, uniform, or policy issues in a timely and professional manner, providing coaching and corrective direction when appropriate and escalating continued or serious concerns to Marine Operations management.
• Lead by example by maintaining a professional appearance, positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to adapt to changing operational requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct all activities and decisions according to Icy Strait Point’s guiding principles: Best, Authentic and Profitable Tour Destination.
• Steer and operate vessels using equipment such as GPS, electronic chart, radar, depth finders, radios, buoys, and lights.
• Dock and undock vessels, sometimes navigating through tight spaces.
• Alter navigation plans based on weather conditions and whale sightings to keep vessels, passengers safe and create a great experience.
• Inspect boat to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and their conformity to regulations
• Read gauges to ensure safe levels of hydraulic fluid and oxygen or air pressure
• Compute positions, set approved courses and speed, gain excellent knowledge of local conditions and hazardous areas.
• Signal deckhands to perform necessary tasks, including rigging dock lines and fenders, open or close ramps and gates and pull guard chains across entries.
• Supervise Deckhand tour guide skills to ensure experience is excellent and authentic. 
• Maintain all onboard equipment, and keep detailed records of daily activities, personnel reports, ship positions and movements, weather conditions, passenger status and counts
• Deliver a first-class experience to all guests and visitors, acting as an ambassador of Icy Strait Point, presentable always in proper uniform while on site. 
• Must conduct and log all drills including fire, flooding, man overboard, abandon ship, medical, and spill response in accordance with CFR 46 ss 185.520 and provide instruction on the use of all lifesaving & firefighting equipment. 
• Inventory management of vessel supplies and inform Supervisor when supplies are needed.
• Responsible for clean-up of vessel after each tour, remove garbage, hose down vessel with fresh water, wash windows, and re-stock as necessary
• Maintain awareness of safety rules, workplace safety and respect for the environment. Perform other duties as assigned.
• Record keeping of tour pax count and fuel expenditures daily.
• Responsible for recording Oil service hours in log book and communicating with the marine mechanic
• Reporting all mechanical issues to the marine mechanic
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications:

• Three years prior experience operating a boat.
• Must hold and maintain at minimum a current, 25-ton USCG Master’s License, 50-ton for 49 Pax boat and ensure medical is up to date.
• Thorough knowledge of Coast Guard and CFR 46 regulations applicable to class of vessel.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification and Radio Operators License
• Driver’s License with clean driving record.
• Must be insurable with Icy Strait Point (DUI, DWI, negligent or reckless driving citations within the past 5 years is uninsurable).
• Must have a willingness to learn about Tlingit culture.