The Role
The Chief Mate supervises the deck team and boatswain, manages navigation watches, docking, anchoring, small boat operations, vessel security, safety drills, maintenance, inspections, and medical response. The role acts as the Captain’s successor when needed, ensures compliance with maritime and safety regulations, maintains logs and preventive maintenance records, supports guest interactions, and oversees crew training and performance. The position follows a rotational schedule of approximately six weeks on and six weeks off, with 12-hour workdays.
Summary Generated by Built In
WHO WE ARE
Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.
JOB SUMMARY
The Chief Mate supervises, trains and coordinates activities of the deck force (8 deckhands, 1 boatswain), and is responsible for assisting with the vessel’s piloting, navigation, safety, security, first aid, cleanliness, and small boat operations.
WORK SCHEDULE
The Chief Mate works approximately 12 hours per day of varied hours; approximately 6 weeks on, 6 weeks off, rotational schedule. Daily 12-hour shifts are comprised of standing two watches, administrative work, supervisory duties and small boat operations.
The physical demands are described in the Chief Mate Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Assumes command of the ship in the event the Captain becomes incapacitated.
- Acts as vessel’s Security Officer, Safety Officer, and Medical Officer.
- Inspects the vessel for overall cleanliness, including engine room, deck areas, crew quarters, windows and exterior hull.
- Prepares vessel for and attends all U.S. Coast Guard annual dry docks and inspections.
- Assists with annual USCG COI inspections.
- Assists with onboard USCG drug and alcohol testing.
- Works in conjunction with other departments regarding projects aboard the vessel.
- Maintains professional demeanor with guests, crew, staff, agents, officials and the public.
- Participates in guest activities and public relations such as recaps, dining with guests, etc. as directed by the Captain.
- Maintains deck supply inventories and requisitions.
- Exhibits an aptitude and enthusiasm for training and managing inexperienced crewmembers.
- Trains deck force in skills needed to perform docking, anchoring, watch duties, security and routine ship maintenance.
- Directs the deck force and handles communications between bridge, crew and dock personnel during docking procedures.
- Supervises crew engaged in cleaning and maintaining deck, superstructure, and bridge of ship.
- Reviews and updates watch and duty work lists.
- Evaluates and documents the performance of the deck force as directed in performance appraisal guidelines.
Watch Duty:
- Assumes responsibility for bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods.
- Determines geographical position of the ship, using all available means such as GPS, radar ranges, visual observations, depth sounders, etc.
- Makes necessary entries in navigation and radio logs.
- Handles the vessel (as directed by the Captain) in docking, anchoring, piloting, enroute, in close quarters and open sea conditions.
- Navigates 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.
- Complete pilotage logs for trips completed in Alaska, British Columbia, and on the Columbia and Snake Rivers to meet pilotage requirements and stand watch unsupervised.
Small Boat Operations:
- Operates crane for lowering inflatable boats, kayaks, gangways and other expedition gear.
- Drives inflatable boats as needed.
- Assists with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.
Safety and Security:
- Follows company safety and pollution prevention policies and procedures and requests supervisory assistance/guidance when necessary.
- Directs crew in emergency drills. Plans and conducts onboard safety training and drills as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man security flooding and medical emergencies.
- Organizes gangway watch as directed by the duty schedule.
- Maintains and administers vessel preventive maintenance plan and safety training program.
- Ensures deck crew are trained in the use of personal protective equipment.
- Participates in company and shore side training as required by the company.
- Maintains familiarity and compliance with the ISM and ISPS Codes and requirements as well as USCG, Transport Canada, and Health Canada requirements.
- Ensures compliance with the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response activities.
- Ensures compliance with all Vessel General Permit regulations.
- Completes all necessary Bridge log entries and maintains Company’s electronic preventative maintenance program records. Completes Investigation and Non-Conformity Reports as necessary.
- Responsible for the Vessel Security Plan and participating in regular security audits. Prepares and maintains a record of Declarations of Security.
Medical:
- Acts as Medical Officer for all guests, crew and staff medical needs. Liaison with ship’s doctor on voyages. Liaison with Seattle Office for crew medical issues. Assists with emergency medevacs.
- Maintains first aid kits and medical supplies on board.
- Maintains the ship’s medical and G.I. logs per CDC VSP and Health Canada requirements.
- Completes all guest, crew and staff injury/illness reports. Assists Captain with ensuring injured/ill guests and crew medical treatment. Follows all regulations pertaining to GI outbreaks onboard.
- Ensures proper handling and disposal of biohazards. Complete, submit and maintain record of Investigation Reports.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervises Deckhands in daily vessel operations including vessel maintenance, boat operations, docking, undocking and anchoring.
- Supervises Boatswain in maintenance and operations of vessel’s rescue and inflatable boats.
- Trains deck team, assigns and directs work, monitors performance, encourages and addresses performance issues with deck crew, addresses complaints and resolves problems.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience operating port-to-port in Southeast Alaska, the Snake and Columbia Rivers, in the Gulf of California, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama (including the Panama Canal), Belize, Guatemala, Colombia.
- Mate experience on passenger-carrying vessels, including supervisory responsibility and social interaction with guests.
- Excellent crisis management skills; ability to act quickly with confidence while exercising sound judgement.
- Ability to perform voyage planning and navigational calculations.
- Strong time management skills; able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Good customer service skills: professional demeanor, ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy.
- Personal computer experience: MS Windows applications, and Excel spreadsheet experience.
Communication Skills:
- Communicates 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.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Minimum USCG Mate 500 GRT / 3,000 GT ITC Near Coastal required.
- OICNW greater than 500 GT STCW Endorsement required.
- Automatic RADAR Plotting Aid (ARPA) required.
- STCW Advanced Firefighting (AFF) Certification required.
- STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) required.
- STCW Medical Person in Charge (MedPIC) required.
- STCW Vessel Security Officer (VSO) Certificate required.
- STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boat (PSC) required.
- STCW Crowd Management (CM) required.
- STCW Crisis Management and Human Behavior (CMHB) required.
- ECDIS required.
- ECDIS Type-Specific Training provided.
- Global Maritime Distress & Safety System License (GMDSS) required.
- Radar Observer (RO) endorsement required.
- Valid TWIC card required.
- Valid USCG Medical Certificate required.
- Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification required.
- Valid US Passport required.
Our Benefits
Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
401(k) plan with employer match
Room and board when scheduled
Travel Day Pay
Travel Expenses Paid
Travel benefits for employees and their family
Uniforms Provided
Training Opportunities
Employment is contingent on the following:
- In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post-offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.
- Pre-offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.
- Post-offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty.
Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.
Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID-19. All crew must still comply with all country-specific vaccination requirements.
Communication Skills
Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.
COMPENSATION STATEMENT
Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.
For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.
Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.
Skills Required
- Experience operating port-to-port in Southeast Alaska, the Snake and Columbia Rivers, Gulf of California, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama including the Panama Canal, Belize, Guatemala, and Colombia
- Mate experience on passenger-carrying vessels with supervisory responsibility and guest interaction
- Excellent crisis management skills and sound judgment under pressure
- Ability to perform voyage planning and navigational calculations
- Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
- Professional customer service skills, tact, and courtesy
- Personal computer experience with Microsoft Windows applications and Excel spreadsheets
- Excellent written and oral English communication skills
- USCG Mate 500 GRT / 3,000 GT ITC Near Coastal license
- OICNW greater than 500 GT STCW endorsement
- Automatic RADAR Plotting Aid (ARPA) certification
- STCW Advanced Firefighting certification
- STCW Basic Safety Training certification
- STCW Medical Person in Charge certification
- STCW Vessel Security Officer certificate
- STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats certification
- STCW Crowd Management certification
- STCW Crisis Management and Human Behavior certification
- ECDIS certification
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) license
- Radar Observer endorsement
- Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card
- Valid USCG Medical Certificate
- Current First Aid, CPR, and AED certification
- Valid US Passport
- Pass required pre-employment, random, reasonable-cause, and serious-marine-incident drug tests
- Pass pre-offer background check
- Pass post-offer physical examination and be fit for sea duty
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The Company
What We Do
In 1958 Lars-Eric Lindblad, considered the father of eco travel, founded Lindblad Travel and pioneered the first non-scientific expeditions to Antarctica (1966) and Galápagos (1967), subsequently opening the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, China, Bhutan, and more to curious, respectful travelers. In 1979, his son Sven-Olof Lindblad founded Special Expeditions, eventually re-named Lindblad Expeditions, specializing in ship-based expedition travel. In 2004 Lindblad Expeditions forged an unprecedented alliance with National Geographic with a joint mission “to inspire people to explore and care about the planet through expedition travel.” Today the company operates a fleet of 10 ships, including the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer, the world’s ultimate expedition ship, and the 106-guest National Geographic Orion, the newest ship in the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet. All ships sail equipped with sophisticated exploration tools, to provide unique, immersive experiences in the planet’s capitals of wildness and culture. Our expedition ships regularly explore Galápagos, Antarctica, Alaska, Arctic Norway, Baja California, Costa Rica and Panama, Europe, the Baltics, Vietnam and Cambodia, and more.
