The Role
Performs deckhand duties aboard tugboats, including building and breaking tow, handling lines and rigging, docking, locking, vessel maintenance, inspections, cleaning, cooking, and environmental compliance. Works rotating watches and extended onboard schedules, maintains safe living and working conditions, assists with emergency firefighting and rescue operations, and communicates with vessel personnel, dispatchers, engineers, and regulators. Requires physical fitness, safety awareness, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to work prolonged periods away from home.
Summary Generated by Built In
General Job Responsibilities
The Deckhand is responsible for the safe, efficient, reliable, and environmentally compliant operation of assigned area. The primary function of the Deckhand is to build and break tow. Other key job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The Deckhand must be able to perform vessel maintenance to include cleaning, scraping, painting, changing all oil and filters, and cooking.
- The Deckhand must be able to inspect, correct if possible, and notify the Captain of any conditions, which will affect the safety of the tow or tug.
- The Deckhand must be able to assist with the training of newly hired employees.
- A Deckhand must be able to handle lines and rigging during tow building, locking, and docking activities.
- A Deckhand must be able to work in a rotation watch schedule, involving 6 hours on and 6 hours off, and be able to occasionally work additional hours not to exceed twelve consecutive hours without rest.
- A Deckhand must be able to work on the boat with a work schedule based on a ratio of 2 to 1 (i.e. 20 days on, 10 days off or 28 days on, 14 days off).
- A Deckhand must be able to perform all duties while wearing protective equipment to include PVC foul weather gear, life jacket, gloves and boots.
- A Deckhand must be able to drive to and from hub cities.
- A Deckhand must be able to perform all duties necessary to navigate locks.
- A Deckhand must be able to adhere to and comply with company policies, United States Coast Guard, and environmental regulations.
Employee must be able to:
- Ensure safe, working conditions and orderliness of the vessel.
- Maintain safe, sanitary living and working conditions.
- Follow all company safety rules and environmental regulations.
- Wear safety equipment as required, including: gloves, steel toes boots, goggles, rubber boots, slicker suits, respirator, five (5) minute escape pack or negative pressure respirator or supplied airline respirator.
- Assist in safety and rescue operations in emergency situations.
- Assist in emergency firefighting, use firefighting equipment and spill containment equipment.
- Enter and exit hatches/ doorways quickly in case of emergencies.
- Physically pull or assist in pulling a 200-300lb man from the water.
Employee must be able to:
- Tolerate long hours during transfers.
- Read and write.
- Communicate with co-workers, Captains, Pilots, Wheelman, Dispatchers, Port Engineers, Coast Guard Inspectors, and others.
- Remain calm during challenging situations.
- Possess a valid driver’s license for operation of any of the company’s vehicles.
- Make good decisions.
- Be dependable, conscientious, and show initiative.
- Pay attention to detail.
- Be willing to adhere to orders, rules, and regulations.
- Work as a team player – i.e., work with others and understand customer/ supplier wants and needs.
- Be stable under pressure and withstand the stress associated with the job, including discomfort, unpredictable weather, and potentially hazardous situations.
- Work aboard the vessel for prolonged periods according to work schedule for the vessel, for example: 30 days on and 15 days off or 14 on and 7 off.
- Willing to work, as operations require, including days.
- Live in close quarters for long periods of time and is able to work away from home for long periods of time.
- Be drug and alcohol free while on company property during course and scope of company business.
- Be physically fit to perform all essential physical demands of this job safely.
- Have a High School diploma/GED or equivalent work experience.
Skills Required
- Ability to perform vessel maintenance, including cleaning, scraping, painting, changing oil and filters, and cooking
- Ability to inspect vessel conditions, correct issues when possible, and report safety concerns to the Captain
- Ability to assist with training newly hired employees
- Ability to handle lines and rigging during tow building, locking, and docking
- Ability to work a rotating 6-hours-on, 6-hours-off watch schedule and occasional additional hours up to 12 consecutive hours
- Ability to work aboard vessels on extended schedules, such as 20 days on and 10 days off, 28 days on and 14 days off, or similar rotations
- Ability to perform duties while wearing required protective equipment
- Valid driver's license for operating company vehicles
- Ability to perform duties necessary to navigate locks
- Ability to comply with company policies, United States Coast Guard requirements, and environmental regulations
- Ability to maintain safe, sanitary, orderly vessel living and working conditions
- Ability to use required safety equipment, including gloves, steel-toe boots, goggles, rubber boots, slicker suits, respirators, and escape packs
- Ability to assist in emergency safety, rescue, firefighting, and spill containment operations
- Ability to quickly enter and exit hatches and doorways during emergencies
- Ability to pull or assist in pulling a 200- to 300-pound person from the water
- Ability to tolerate long hours during transfers and prolonged periods aboard vessels
- Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively with vessel personnel, dispatchers, engineers, inspectors, and others
- Ability to remain calm, make sound decisions, and perform under pressure in unpredictable or hazardous conditions
- Dependable, conscientious, detail-oriented, willing to follow orders and regulations, and able to work as part of a team
- Ability to live in close quarters and work away from home for extended periods
- Drug- and alcohol-free while on company property and conducting company business
- Physically fit to safely perform all essential job duties
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience
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The Company
What We Do
Buffalo Marine Service, Inc. is a premier barge and bunkering company operating since 1935. The company owns and operates a fleet of inland towing vessels and tank barges, providing bunkering and line haul services across the Gulf Coast area, including Texas, New Orleans, Mississippi, and Alabama. Their operations span inland waterways from Corpus Christi, Texas to Mobile, Alabama, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations.
