Chief Officer for Expedition vessel

POSITION SUMMARY

The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is the Master's Deputy and Second in Command of the ship. Safety
Officer shall be the Staff Captain's/ Chief Mate's deputy.

The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall be familiar with the Master's duties, responsibilities and authorities and shall be prepared to take command without notice. The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall assist the Master in all service matters and keep him informed of significant events and trends pertaining to the welfare of the ship, guests and crewmembers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

All duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with ISM/ISO and Policy standards, USPH VSP guidelines, Environmental, and Safety policies.

Each shipboard employee may be required to perform all functions in various service venues and throughout the ship.

§ In accordance with company's policy each employee conducts oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times. This consists of physical and verbal interactions with guests or fellow shipboard employees and/or in the presence of guest contact and Crew areas.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall have a full understanding of the Safety and Quality Management Program including his or her responsibilities in the Safety Organization according to the Emergency Plan and Muster list/Crew Station Bill.

 

§ The Staff Captain has the overall responsibility for the ship's emergency plan, crew emergency assignments and instructions (to include distribution and demonstration of adult, child, and infant lifejackets), using their Safety Officer to carry out this responsibility.
The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate must have fully understanding of the Environmental Company's Policy, ISO 14001, Classification Society's Environmental Protection Notation requirements and awareness of the visited ports' Environmental laws, MOU, and restrictions.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall ensure that all new crewmembers receive appropriate orientation in Safety, Environmental, and Security & HR issues according to the Safety orientation & introduction guidelines established in the Company's Training manual and in accordance with STCW.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate has the overall responsibility for ensuring that the “C27 Crew Certification Guidelines” is maintained. He or she is responsible for reviewing the marine employee’s licenses and certificates to ensure that they are in accordance with the requirements for the actual position, using the Safety Officer to carry out this responsibility."C27 Crew Certification Guidelines means, compliance with the STCW and Company's requirements".

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is in charge of the Deck Department and has overall responsibility for all deck-related activities.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate has the overall responsibility for ensuring that all Deck planned maintenance is carried out within the specified time periods and required records are maintained. Utilizing the Plan Maintenance system, he shall oversee planning and generation of work orders. The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall also ensure that completed maintenance is properly recorded in Plan Maintenance system. In collaboration with the Deck Maintenance Officer, he shall establish a weekly schedule for the routine maintenance of the vessel, taking into consideration ports of call, time, port and local regulations and guest satisfaction.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall monitor and supervise the cleanliness, care and maintenance of the hull, superstructure, rig, outer decks, window, cargo gear, mooring equipment, gangways and ladders. He/She shall monitor and supervise the daily cleaning of the weather decks, railings, ladders, windows and swimming pools/jacuzzi in conjunction with the Chief Housekeeper and Hotel Engineer.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall oversee the maintenance, cleanliness, and general condition of all Ballast Water tanks and Fresh Water tanks. This also includes to the extent that these tanks are an integral part of the ship’s hull. The Deck Maintenance Officer will accomplish these tasks in accordance with Plan Maintenance procedures.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate will approve the confined space entry permit after thorough examination by his designees (Safety, Staff Chief Engineer/ 1st Engineer). This includes the following tanks
Ballast Water Tanks Fresh Water tanks Void Spaces,
Grey Water holding tanks, Laundry water tanks Heeling tanks (if applicable)
Technical water tanks, Boiler water tanks Sewage holding tanks,
Grey Water collecting tanks,

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate has full responsibility for the deck stores and the management of the Deck budget. Inventory control and ordering of deck stores will be supported by the Bosun and Storekeeper.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible that all stores when loaded are properly stowed and the Ship is Secured for Sea by time of departure. Division Heads are responsible to the Staff Captain/ Chief Mate for their areas; additionally they are responsible to advise the Staff Captain/ Chief Mate of any expected items that may be too large to be correctly stored to allow alternative arrangements to be made.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate should ensure that all materials loaded onboard for Deck Department are compliant with specifications and if not compliant, labeled as non- compliant, returned to the vendor and Purchasing informed. Staff Captain/ Chief Mate should follow up with the Chief Engineer and or Storekeeper.

§ Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible for maintaining a library of Operations manuals, instruction booklets and ships drawings for the Deck department.
§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is the Ballast Water Management Manager, and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Ballast Water Management plan. This includes reporting as required by the plan. He or she shall also supervise the bridge team in managing the trim, list, general stability, bending moments and shear forces. This includes ensuring that a stability calculation is prepared by the Staff Captain/ Chief Mate before every port departure and that the ship is in proper Trim and List condition as described in the Policy and Procedures manual and in accordance with the stability booklet.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible to the Master for all aspects of shipboard security and for the implementation and effectiveness of the Ship Security Plan and other company security policies.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is the designated Ship Security Officer (the responsibilities related to his role are outlined in the Ship Security Plan).

The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible for the ship's master key system.
§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall oversee all aspects of safety and security issues of the ship, its passengers and crew; investigate accidents, incidents and non-conformities in conjunction with the Safety Officer and Ship’s Doctor, and ensure the required reports are completed timely and accurately. Communication with the Litigation & Claims Department is essential to facilitate a complete response. Depending upon the severity of the incident, this function carries with it varying degrees of urgency.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall ensure that there is excellent cooperation among the Safety Officer and the Watchkeeping Officers, for the delivery of the best safety, environmental & security training to the entire crew and the maintenance of all the portable firefighting, lifesaving and Oil/Chemical Spill response equipment.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall ensure that he or she is fully informed and up to date in all aspects of the bridge operation. He or she shall ensure that the Master is kept abreast of all maintenance, operational, and personnel issues as they pertain to the Bridge and Deck Department.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall ensure that the Master's instructions are implemented correctly through close liaison with department heads, encouraging exchange of ideas and suggestions for improvements, and promoting a feeling of team spirit throughout the ship. The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall be available for consulting with the crewmembers.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall be responsible for all reports of misconduct and take appropriate action or make recommendations to the Master according to the Company’s policy. The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall, together with the Executive Committee members, enforce the Company dress code and personal grooming policy.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall keep the Master informed about ongoing crew issues.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate has overall responsibility for USPH VSP matters pertaining to the Centers for disease Control Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP).

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is the VSP shipboard Designated Manager, clear responsibilities are assigned (based on the scope of their respective responsibilities) to the Chief Engineer, Hotel Manager, F&B Manager/Maitre’D and Doctor as it relates to the implementation of the VSP onboard Company's vessels.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible for overseeing compliance with the Outbreak Prevention Response Plan (OPRP) . He or she shall frequently check to ensure compliance and will actively support the Ship’s Doctor(s), Hotel Manager pertaining to isolation orders for resistive guests/crew.

 

 

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible that the vessel can be made seaworthy in a timely matter when weather conditions or other situations require so. Seaworthy includes, but is not limited to, securing hatches and stowing/securing objects.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible for all practical issues in regards to loading of the vessel. This includes guests and cargo.
For Guests, this includes maintaining gangways, making sure proper gangways are available and creating a loading plan keeping in mind pier configuration and tide conditions.
For Cargo, this includes ensuring proper loading platforms and equipment are available. The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate together with the Hotel Controller/Storekeeper be the points of contact for the Stevedore Company’s supervisor and when needed, will coordinate the loading with onboard departments.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate shall establish a safe and secure tender service for passengers and crew as needed.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible for contractors who come on board that may be working on deck-related areas.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate has the overall responsibility for the ship’s loading condition, and shall cooperate closely with the Safety Officer & Navigation Officer in this respect.

§ It is the Master's responsibility to train the Staff Captain/ Chief Mate in pilotage and maneuvering. The aim of the training is that the Staff Captain/ Chief Mate reaches the same level of skill as the Master’s. Completed pages of the Staff Captain's/ Chief Mate's c41 Deck Officer Maneuvering Log shall be uploaded to SMS cloud, and submitted to the VP, Marine Operations at the completion of each contract time along with the individual appraisal form.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is to ensure the mooring plans are updated.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible to oversee the procedures related to Infection Prevention control in liaison with the Doctor and ensure the Company health and sanitation standards are implemented and maintained.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate is responsible to ensure that the garbage handling is in accordance with the Company approved Garbage Management Plan.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate has overall responsibility for Zodiac operations, the Zodiac drivers, and Zodiac driver training.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial responsibilities for budget, expenses and/or achievement of revenue targets.

§ Tracks and continuously monitors all ship deck operating costs and ensures operation is within agreed cost parameters.

§ This position is responsible for cost containment through the proper use, handling and maintenance of records, reports, supplies and equipment.

§ Conducts workstation spot checks to ensure items are correctly stored to minimize deterioration and waste.

MOTIVATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

People management responsibilities to ensure optimal performance of the function.

§ Monitors and manages the various assigned workstation functions. Monitors the assignment of duties and responsibilities to his/her staff. Observes and evaluates staff and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service are met. Makes recommendations regarding personnel actions such as new hire requests and discharges, to ensure adequate and continuous staffing. Inspects workstations, work areas, equipment, etc. to ensure efficient service and conformance to standards.
§ Responsible for developing a team spirit amongst key reporting department heads. Interacts with each to ensure continuous communications between direct reports.
§ Conducts meetings with team once per cruise.
§ Mentors, develops and provides on-the-job training to his/her staff to strengthen their current performance and preparation for future advancement.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum hiring, language and physical requirements to perform the job.

Hiring Requirements:

§ The Staff Captain's/ Chief Mate's qualifications and licenses shall conform to all International and National conventions and regulations, and he/she shall have an unlimited Master’s License in accordance with STCW and Flag State requirements.

§ Excellent level of the English language, reading and writing skills are required.

§ The Staff Captain/ Chief Mate must be able to communicate clearly, distinctly and cordially with guests and crewmembers.

§ Extensive previous experience as Navigation Officer and Safety Officer, preferably in the cruise industry, most preferably within the company's vessels.

§ Pilot Exemption Certificate (PEC) for Svalbard trading (if applicable).

§ Knowledge on Vessel Sanitation program (VSP)

Language Requirements:

§ Ability to speak English clearly, distinctly and cordially with guests.
§ Ability to read and write English in order to understand and interpret written procedures. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests, supervisors and co- workers.
§ Self-motivated and can work under pressure.

§ Computer literate.

Physical Requirements:

§ While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

§ All shipboard employees must be physically able to participate in emergency lifesaving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

§ Must have passed psychological assessment.