Employment Opportunities

Below is a brief description of this position. However, the descriptions should be regarded as outlines for basic responsibilities and the duties of each position and not as parameters for defining a crew's job.

TBC's philosophy is that the entire crew works together as a team to accomplish the task of operating a safe, enjoyable and well-maintained ship. NO CREWMEMBER IS ABOVE ANY WORK NEEDING TO BE DONE TO MEET THIS OVERALL GOAL.

All crewmembers are required to be certified in CPR, First Aid, and all necessary STCW requirements for international voyages. All crew are to be trained and drilled in emergency procedures as assigned by their supervisor.

FIRST MATE

The First Mate is second in command aboard the vessel and must be capable of assuming full command of the ship should the Captain become incapacitated. First mate serves as fishing and shore excursion guide, stand navigation watches when underway, and stands security/safety watches when in port and at anchor. First Mate develops daily work lists, assigns guides to guest activities, supervises other members of the deck department and is the liaison between the crew and Captain. First Mate reports to the Captain.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Shore excursion and fishing guide (30%): Assist the Captain and Naturalist in coordinating off-vessel guest activities. After mealtimes during cruises, meet with guests and assist in organizing excursions. Guide guests on a wide variety of activities, assist in cleaning, filleting, packing, and storing catch. Assist Naturalist with interpretive program (i.e., presentations and informal discussions) according to knowledge and ability.
  
  
• Navigation watch and security/safety watch (30%): Operate vessel during assigned watches to the highest professional standards using accepted bridge management practices, with particular emphasis on passenger and vessel safety. Monitor communication equipment and keep logs and records as required by U.S. Coast Guard and TBC. Maintain security/safety watch when at anchor or in port according to assigned watch schedule or as directed by Captain.
  
  
• Manage and supervise deck department (30%): Develop daily work lists, and assign projects to members of the deck department. Supervise and/or assist in all work projects to ensure thoroughness, orderliness, cleanliness, and safety at all times. TBC vessels do not sail with boatswains, so all members of the deck department contribute to the maintenance of skiffs, and the First Mate supervises all such work. Assign guides to guest activities and issue equipment such as hand-held radios, fishing tackle, bear protection, etc. Ensure all issued equipment is returned and maintained in good order. Train new members of the deck department on the subjects of vessel operations, line handling, docking, anchoring, steering, emergency drills, deck maintenance, skiff launching/ retrieving/handling, and safety.
  
  
• Inventory and purchase deck supplies (5%): Maintain inventory of all fishing gear, deck cleaning supplies, skiff equipment, bosun's stores, bosun's tools, hand-held radios, tie-up lines, etc. Ensure supplies are well organized, available for normal use, and re-stocked as necessary. Keep purchases within the budget limits established by the Poulsbo office. At end of season, thoroughly clean and prepare fishing equipment for off-season storage.
  
  
• Other duties as directed by Captain (5%): Coordinate arrangements with guests for final packaging, offloading and shipment of catch. Assist Captain in maintaining CSMP (Current Ship Maintenance Project) list of items needing attention during the off-season (including skiff projects).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education or technical training of a specialized nature beyond high school is required. First Mate position aboard MIST COVE requires a minimum U.S. Coast Guard issue Mate near coastal 500-ton license for Alaska itinerary, and Master oceans 500-ton license for international itinerary, but Master oceans 1600-ton is preferred. First Mate position aboard LISERON requires a minimum U.S. Coast Guard issue Mate inland 500-ton license for Alaska itinerary and Master oceans 500-ton license for international itinerary. In all instances "STCW 95" Basic Safety Training certificate is required, and for international itineraries, Able Bodied Seaman Crisis Management and Human Behavior Certificates are also required.
  
  
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years in the maritime industry with progressively responsible experience is required.
  
  
• Communication skills must include the ability to provide explanation of very complex or technical matters to people with little or no background in the area under discussion, and the ability to regularly deal with situations where strong opposing views are encountered and must be reconciled and resolved. Must be able to write text designed to communicate technical information.
  
  
• Must have vision that allows for safe operation of the vessel in situations that are likely to occur when navigating night and day, year round. Must have color vision that enables identification of navigation lights, signals, and symbols, as well as warning lights or symbols. Depth perception must be adequate for navigation in close quarters, including lock or bridge approaches.
  
  
• Interpersonal skills must include the ability to regularly deal with people of different ages and differing physical abilities both aboard ship and during shore excursions. Patience and thoughtfulness while addressing the particular needs of guests is essential.
  
  
• Must be capable of demonstrating proficiency in the safe and effective handling and discharging of shotguns or rifles, which are required equipment on all shore excursions where there may be risk of encounters with aggressive bears.

GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS

A First Mate signs-on to a vessel for an entire four to five month operating season, and must be physically capable of maintaining rigorous work schedules consisting of twelve to fourteen-hour days over much of this time. Most of The Boat Company's cruises are of eight-day duration. At the end of each cruise, there is a short twenty-four to forty-eight hour turn-around period in port during which time First Mate assists with various shipboard duties such as luggage handling, refueling, and standing an assigned security/safety watch. A First Mate may also need to attend to certain off-vessel duties during turn-around periods such as purchasing necessary deck or fishing supplies.

Physical demands generally include frequent bending, reaching, twisting, kneeling, pulling/pushing, grasping, and the passing or receiving of numerous different sized objects weighing up to 75 pounds while loading ships stores. When heavy or awkward items are being moved, personnel should use lifting devices such as cranes or chain falls, or seek assistance from other personnel. When an object is too heavy or too awkward for one person to move safely, it is the responsibility of the individual to obtain assistance as necessary.

Must be capable of boarding and exiting a vessel without physical assistance by climbing up or down dock ladder or vessel boarding steps. Must be capable of climbing into or out of a skiff from dock or boarding area without assistance in all weather conditions. Must be able to climb or descend one or more sets of steep stairs or vertical ladders both inside and outside the vessel in all weather conditions. Must have the ability to climb an eight-foot vertical ladder and fit through a 28-inch wide hatch.

Must have hearing, vision, and vocal abilities that allows performance of duties safely when aboard vessel, aboard skiffs, and on shore. Must be capable of hearing alarms and signals from the vessel. In addition, must be able to communicate with vessel or other crewmembers by radio.

Must be capable of performing the duties listed in the vessel Station Bill (copy provided upon request). Must be able to don a life vest or jacket and/or survival suit without assistance. Must be capable of working and living on board a vessel for the tour of duties duration and without having access to hospital services, prescription medications, or medical treatment except for first aid assistance and/or treatment at local area clinics, if available.

Must be willing to assist other crewmembers such as the Engineer, Chef, and Steward in the performance of their work duties at any time during tour of duty duration. May be required to use hand tools, power tools, painting equipment, and personal protective gear. Power tools may be heavy or awkward and may generate dust or loud noise.

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