Vessel Master 45M | Cruise Whitsundays

Operations - Rail, Aviation & Marine

Whitsunday Regional

On-site

AUD 90,000 - 130,000

Part time

9 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Generous travel discounts

Career progression opportunities

Employee assistance program

Private health discounts

Job summary

Cruise Whitsundays, part of Journey Beyond, invites a Vessel Master to lead the deck and crew on marine tours around the Whitsundays. You will oversee safe vessel operations, compliance, and on‑board maintenance while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

You will hold Master 45m NC and MED2, QLD RSA, Blue Card, First Aid certificates, and strong leadership/communication skills. Sailing experience is highly desirable and you will mentor crew to uphold CWS standards.

Qualifications

Master 45m NC qualification.
MED2 certification.
QLD RSA required.
Blue Card (Working with Children Check) required.
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid.
HLTAID015 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced Oxygen Therapy.
Sailing experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead by example to ensure exceptional guest experiences and maintain service standards.
Oversee safe vessel operations, compliance, and on-board maintenance.
Provide leadership and training to crew to meet Cruise Whitsundays standards.
Ensure adherence to SOPs, Marine Memos, WHS requirements, and operational procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Guest service

Safety compliance

Education

Master 45m NC

MED2

Job description

Be a part of sharing special places and shaping lasting memories with Australia’s leading experiential tourism business.

Cruise Whitsundays, based in Airlie Beach is the largest marine-based tour and transport provider in the Whitsundays. Providing close encounters with the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach, and the islands of the Whitsundays, Cruise Whitsundays operates 10, well-equipped, air‑conditioned vessels, plus a world‑class sailing catamaran, offering a range of tours, as well as an inter‑island resort connection service, with regular daily departures at two islands, one airport and two mainland ports.

Cruise Whitsundays also operates Australia’s first underwater accommodation, Reefsuites, and a Reefsleep glamping experience at the Reefworld pontoon, moored offshore at Hardy Reef on the Great Barrier Reef.

From our cruises and sailing adventures to our world‑renowned underwater accommodation, there’s no better way to experience the Whitsundays, and you won’t find a friendlier or more experienced crew to work with. When the ocean is your office, every day is good one!

About Journey Beyond

Journey Beyond is Australia’s leading experiential tourism group, operating 35 brands across Australia and New Zealand that connect guests to the land and to each other.

The group was formed in 2016 and now includes:

Rail & Touring: Iconic trains: The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern, The Overland and Vintage Rail Journeys, the Murray Princess, Adelaide Sightseeing, premium small‑group outback operator Outback Spirit and New Zealand coach tour specialist Grand Pacific Tours.

Resorts & Lodges: Ayers Rock Resort, Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Kingfisher Bay Resort and K'gari Beach Resort, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef and Monarto Safari Resort.

Experiences & Attractions: Cruise Whitsundays, Rottnest Express, Sailaway Port Douglas, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, Darwin Harbour Cruises, Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney, Melbourne Skydeck, Eureka 89, Alice Springs Telegraph Station, Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo, Mosman Gorge Cultural Centre, Captain Cook Cruises Sydney & Perth, Starship Sydney, The Jackson, Bells Functions, Swan Valley Tours, Red Cat Adventures, Whitsunday Jetski Tours, K'gari Explorer Tours, and Island Connections: Bruny Island, the Whitsundays, K’gari, Darwin -Mandorah, Tiwi Islands and Groote Eylandt.

About The Role

We are seeking a Vessel Master to join our team on a casual basis. The Master is a critical leadership position, reporting to the Operations Manager. This role is responsible for the safe operations of the vessel, overseeing compliance and on‑board maintenance, and leading the crew to deliver exceptional service to guests. By setting a high standard through leadership and example, the Master ensures that team performance remains at peak levels while fostering a positive guest experience.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Lead by example to provide exceptional guest experiences and maintain consistent service standards.
Address guest complaints promptly to ensure satisfaction and preserve the quality of the experience.
Provide leadership and guidance to crew members, promoting their professional motivation and growth.
Assist with the ongoing training of both new and existing staff to meet CWS standards.
Ensure adherence to SOPs, Marine Memos, operational procedures, and Work, Health and Safety (WHS) requirements.

About You

You are a dedicated professional focused on marine safety and compliance, ensuring all training and certificates are current. You prioritise the safety of the vessel, guests, and your team while enhancing guest experiences through exceptional service. With strong people management skills, you effectively coach and develop team members. Reliable, self‑motivated, and a creative problem solver, you excel in communication and interpersonal skills.

To be successful in this role, you will:

Maintain high levels of marine safety and compliance with current training and certifications.
Demonstrate a proven ability to enhance guest experiences and increase satisfaction.
Show a strong commitment to identifying and coaching employees for growth.
Exhibit excellent guest service skills and dedication to meeting expectations.
Communicate effectively with strong people management and crowd management skills, ensuring the safety of all on board.
Minimum Master<45m NC and Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 (MED2)
Sailing Experience is highly desirable
QLD Responsible Service of Alcohol
Working with Children's Check (Blue Card)
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
HLTAID015 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced Oxygen Therapy