Vessel Master 45M | Rottnest Express

Journey Beyond

Rottnest Island

On-site

AUD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Generous discounts on Journey Beyond旅行

Study Assistance Policy

Parental Leave program

Purchased Leave policy

Private Health discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Discounts on Journey Beyond merchandis

Job summary

Rottnest Express, part of Journey Beyond Group, seeks an experienced Vessel Master for the Rottnest Island fleet. You will ensure safe vessel operation, lead the crew, and deliver exceptional guest experiences on a seasonal basis from Oct 2026 to June 2027, with potential ongoing employment.

Responsibilities include safety drills, daily log maintenance, crew development, passenger boarding, and upholding high service standards while complying with SMS, WHS, and AMSA requirements.

Qualifications

Experience as Vessel Master in marine tourism is essential.
Experience around Perth coastal waters including Fremantle and Rottnest Island is desirable.
Proven leadership and guest-service focus.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with marine standards and safe vessel operation.
Conduct safety drills and toolbox talks.
Maintain daily vessel logs using Helm.
Lead and develop crew; delegate daily duties.
Oversee loading/unloading and passenger boarding.
Promote customer service and safety culture.
Report incidents via Protecht.

Skills

Vessel Master

Safety leadership

Customer service

SMS compliance

Crew training

Education

Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master 45m Near Coastal)

Certificate of Local Knowledge (CoLK)

First Aid & CPR certificate

Responsible service of alcohol certificate

Tools

Helm maintenance system

Job description

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

About Us

Rottnest Express is part of the Journey Beyond Group and is the leading operator of marine transfers to and from the stunning Rottnest Island. In addition to ferry services, Rottnest Express specialises in extended stay and day tour packages (both inbound and domestic), as well as expertly curated adventure tours providing unforgettable experiences in and around the Island.

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 looking for an experienced Vessel Master to join our Rottnest Express team. The Vessel Master will be responsible for the safe operation of the vessel while delivering exceptional service to our guests. This position is initially offered on a full-time / part-time seasonal basis from October 2026 to June 2027, with the possibility of ongoing employment after this period.

Key responsibilities will include:

Ensure compliance with all marine standards and that the vessel is operated and navigated in a safe manner
Conduct safety drills in line with SMS requirements and facilitate prestart/toolbox talks, sharing relevant information with the crew
Maintain daily vessel log entries to the required standard, utilising the maintenance management system Helm
Assist in the ongoing training and development of both new and existing crew members
Provide leadership and guidance to the crew to enhance their professional motivation and growth within their role
Provide constructive feedback to the Fleet Manager regarding crew performance and participate in performance management discussions as required
Delegate and oversee daily duties for assigned vessel crew
Assist and provide supervision for the loading and unloading of the vessel
Responsible for passenger boarding and greeting passengers on arrival and departure
Promote a strong customer service focus and culture amongst crew to support achievement of NPS targets
Encourage a positive safety culture and promote the reporting of incidents/injuries via Protecht
Adherence to Work Instructions, operational procedures and WHS requirements

Requirements

About You

The ideal candidate will be a team player who has a ‘can-do’ attitude and a proactive and solutions focused approach. You will possess strong customer service skills, be tech savvy and be able to multitask and prioritise effectively. We are seeking an individual with strong people leadership capabilities who can positively influence a team to deliver exceptional guest experience.

Requirements:

Relevant experience within the marine tourism industry (essential)
Experience as a Vessel Master operating in Perth coastal waters inc. Fremantle & Rottnest Island (highly desirable)
Current AMSA issued Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Master up to 45m Near Coastal)
Certificate of Local Knowledge (CoLK)
Provide First Aid and CPR certificate
Responsible service of alcohol certificate (preferred)
The ability to work varied hours across a 7-day roster, including weekends and public holidays

Benefits

What We Offer