Push Boat Captain

The Middlesex Corporation is a nationally recognized and award-winning leader in the heavy civil construction industry. Since 1972, the family business founded by Robert W. Pereira has developed an extensive client and project list through its consistent efforts to safely build America’s infrastructure. The Middlesex Corporation specializes in building and reconstructing highways, bridges, marine, rail, and transit facilities through its collaborative team approach and focus on core values. In addition, Middlesex Asphalt in Central Florida is one of the largest and most productive asphalt plants in the United States with Middlesex Paving earning an equally solid regional presence and reputation.

The Push Boat Captain is responsible for the safe operation and navigation of push boats, barges, and other marine vessels supporting heavy civil and marine construction operations. This position coordinates the movement and positioning of barges in active waterways and construction areas while maintaining a strong focus on water safety, vessel condition, weather, tides, and changing marine conditions. The Push Boat Captain also performs routine vessel maintenance and supports marine construction activities as needed.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate and navigate push boats, barges, and other vessels in support of marine and heavy civil construction operations.
• Move, position, and secure barges at active construction sites and within navigable waterways.
• Operate vessels safely within active commercial channels and around commercial and private vessel traffic.
• Plan daily marine operations based on weather forecasts, tide cycles, currents, channel conditions, and construction schedules.
• Monitor changing weather, water, and tide conditions throughout the workday and adjust operations as necessary.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of marine navigation, waterway rules, right-of-way requirements, and safe boating practices.
• Coordinate barge movements and positioning with project Superintendents, Foremen, crane operators, and other marine construction personnel.
• Handle lines, tow wires, rigging, and other equipment used to move, secure, and position barges and vessels.
• Properly make up and break down barge configurations and ensure barges and equipment are safely secured.
• Set and pull spuds and maintain the barge on station during operations.
• Set and maintain barges in the proper position during active marine construction operations.
• Assist with docking, undocking, towing, pushing, and maneuvering vessels and barges in confined or congested areas.
• Perform daily vessel inspections and identify maintenance or safety concerns before beginning operations.
• Perform routine light maintenance, cleaning, and general upkeep of push boats, barges, and related marine equipment.
• Maintain familiarity with the day-to-day maintenance requirements of commercial and private vessels, including basic mechanical and operational systems.
• Monitor fuel, fluids, lines, deck equipment, safety equipment, and other vessel components.
• Maintain required vessel logs, inspection records, and other documentation as necessary.
• Ensure required lifesaving, emergency, and marine safety equipment is present, accessible, and in proper working condition.
• Maintain strong awareness of workers, equipment, cranes, barges, and other vessels operating within the marine construction area.
• Communicate clearly with project personnel regarding vessel movements, barge positioning, changing water conditions, and potential safety hazards.
• Support marine construction activities and perform additional construction-related duties as needed.
• Comply with and actively promote all company safety policies and procedures, including reporting accidents, incidents, and near misses.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of water safety and emergency procedures and ensure marine operations are always performed safely.

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating push boats, work boats, tugboats, barges, or similar vessels in a commercial, marine construction, or heavy civil environment preferred.
• Valid boating safety certification/license required.
• U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Captain’s License preferred but not required.
• OSHA 10 certification required.
• Experience operating and maneuvering barges, including positioning and securing barges for active construction operations.
• Familiarity with navigation and vessel operation within active commercial channels and around commercial and recreational vessel traffic.
• Knowledge of tow wires, lines, rigging, knots, and proper barge securing techniques.
• Strong knowledge of marine and water safety practices.
• Familiarity with routine vessel inspection, light maintenance, and general upkeep.
• Ability to read weather forecasts, tide schedules, marine conditions, and navigational information to plan daily operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with construction crews and coordinate vessel and barge movements during active operations.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including handling lines, working on decks and barges, and assisting with marine construction duties as needed.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather, tide, and water conditions.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment and a strong commitment to safety when operating vessels and working around active marine construction.

We offer our full-time and eligible part-time team members a comprehensive benefits package that’s among the best in our industry. Benefits include medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible team members and dependents, employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, top-tier 401k with matching, tuition reimbursement, industry leading referral program, and generous paid time off.

Middlesex provides equal employment opportunities to all team members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.