Small Boat Captain

About This Role

This captain position provides vessel support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS). The role involves ensuring safe navigation and mechanical operation of research vessels, coordinating repairs, and supporting scientific research, monitoring, exploration, and education missions. The ideal candidate will be a capable boat handler passionate about marine sciences and well-versed in small boat maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safe navigation and mechanical operation of the vessels at all times, in accordance with all NOAA policy guidelines, vessel operations manuals, vessel standing orders, and specifically NOAA Small Boat Standards and Procedures Manual (NSBSPM), NOA 209-125, MARPOL, and COLREGS
• Exercise prudent judgment at all times, and be willing, able, and capable of responding to shipboard emergencies and actively participating in drills
• Ensure vessels are maintained in accordance with the NOAA Small Boat Program requirements
• Conduct an Operational Risk Assessment with crew members prior to getting underway, including assessing weather and sea-state forecasts for the mission area
• Coordinate and support emergent repairs to CINMS small boat assets as required
• Provide oversight during shipyard and repair periods
• Help coordinate engineering work requiring certified technician assistance from engineering contractors, naval architects, electricians, and marine surveyors if required
• Verify cruise and float plans and communicate with the shore-side point of contact frequently when underway
• Conduct the vessel pre-departure checklist
• Hold a safety briefing for all embarked personnel at the start of every cruise day, and ensure that all safety procedures are understood and adhered to while underway
• Operate deck equipment including A-frame, scientific winch, capstan, boat crane, Nitrox dive air compressor and small skiff
• Document all vessel-related activities in the ship’s log
• Be ready and available for emergency responses

Requirements

• Possess an active USCG license (100 tons or above)
• Current First Aid, CPR and AED certifications
• At least 2 years of experience working on NOAA vessels, or similar research or law enforcement vessels
• Ability to work collegially with scientists, natural resources managers, and educators
• Experience operating overhead load handling equipment such as winches, cranes, A-Frames, and small cranes
• Experience with deployment and recovery of scientific equipment, divers, and vessel skiff using A-frame, oceanographic winch, capstan and boat crane
• Experience performing maintenance tasks on marine engines and systems; engineering/mechanical background and troubleshooting