Head Skipper - Master

Coral Bay Ecotours; Geraldton, Coral Bay; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided at cost

Job summary

Coral Bay Ecotours seeks a Head Skipper to lead on-water operations across the fleet, ensuring safety, reliability and exceptional guest experience. The role combines hands-on skippering with leading the skipper team, crew training, and updating SMS procedures.

You will coordinate maintenance, ensure seaworthy vessels, and represent eco-tourism values to guests. The position requires 3+ years skippering commercial passenger vessels, MED II, and first aid certifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years proven experience skippering commercial passenger vessels.
• Experience coordinating vessel maintenance, repairs, slipping or refits.
• Experience with safety management systems and crew training.

Responsibilities

• Skippering tour vessels safely and professionally across varying conditions.
• Delivering crew training and conducting regular drills.
• Maintaining compliance with SMS and operating procedures.
• Coordinating maintenance, upkeep and refits across the fleet, including servicing, inspections and records.
• Supporting engine servicing, troubleshooting and maintaining logs.

Skills

Leadership

Marine operations

Safety management

Crew training

Mechanical aptitude

Education

Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 (MED II)

HLTAID011 First Aid

HLTAID009 CPR

HLTAID015 Advanced Resuscitation

Job description

The Head Skipper leads on-water operations across the Coral Bay Ecotours fleet, ensuring the highest standards of safety, reliability and guest experience. The role combines hands‑on skippering with responsibility for leading and coordinating the rest of the skipper team, crew training, and compliance with and reviewing/updating of our SMS and procedures. The role also involves coordinating maintenance tasks and ensuring the ongoing safe and seaworthy operation of all vessels, tenders and support vehicles.

Our Fleet

• 1 x 18m fibreglass vessel with twin diesel inboard engines
• 2 x Coxswain-rated aluminium vessels with twin outboard engines
• 2 x single outboard tenders

Key responsibilities

• Skippering our tour vessels safely and professionally across a range of conditions
• Delivering crew training and carrying out regular drills
• Maintaining compliance with our SMS and operating procedures
• Coordinating maintenance, upkeep and refit works across the fleet, including routine servicing, inspections, repairs and keeping vessels tour-ready
• Supporting outboard and inboard engine servicing and troubleshooting, and keeping accurate maintenance logs and records
• Ensuring vessels, tenders and support vehicles remain safe, seaworthy and compliant, with equipment and records up to date
• Delivering engaging, safe and environmentally responsible tours that respect the reef and its wildlife
• Working with management on operational planning, scheduling and continuous improvement
• Being a confident, friendly face for guests and crew, and a champion of our eco‑tourism values

About you

• Master < 24
• Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 (MED II)
• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
• HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• HLTAID015 Provide Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy
• Minimum 3 years proven experience skippering commercial passenger vessels, ideally in marine tourism
• Strong mechanical aptitude, with practical experience maintaining and servicing both outboard and inboard engines
• Experience coordinating vessel maintenance, repairs, slipping or refits
• Experience with safety management systems and crew training, or a strong desire to develop in this area
• Leadership experience, or a strong desire to step into it
• A genuine passion for the marine environment and wildlife
• Excellent communication skills and a warm, guest-focused approach
• Comfortable living and working in a remote, close-knit community
• Accommodation is provided by the employer, at cost. Please note that no pets are permitted.
• Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.