Mate, Relief Master

BC Ferries; North Cowichan; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and safety primes

Job summary

BC Ferries in Crofton, BC, seeks a skilled Mate/Relief Master to support coastal operations on BC routes. You will lead deck operations, plan crew duties, and provide training and feedback to ensure safe sailing.

The role requires six months of Senior Watchkeeping Officer experience in the last three years, strong communication, and Transport Canada certificates, with a Seafarers’ medical prior to starting.

Qualifications

• Six months experience as a Senior Watchkeeping Officer within the last three years.
• Strong leadership and communication skills for coordinating deck operations.
• Familiarity with navigation equipment, ship handling, stability, and deck maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and organize crew in deck operations.
• Delegate vessel duties and provide regular training and performance feedback.
• Perform administrative duties related to deck safety, security, maintenance, and crew.
• Ensure compliance with navigation principles and deck procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Crew planning

English communication

Navigation & seamanship

Office software

Education

Transport Canada required certificates

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

MATE, RELIEF MASTER

Annual Schedule Time Off (ASTO)

Crofton

The Opportunity

BC Ferries requires a skilled, professional Mate/Relief Master to support BC coastal operations. We offer a unique working environment with diverse challenges and opportunities. If you are a customer-focused, hard-working team player who embraces a cohesive working environment, BC Ferries has a career for you!

What you bring to the team

You are a passionate, innovative, leader with an ability to communicate and liaise cooperatively with shipboard personnel and other BCFS departments. You serve as the ship’s Executive Officer in the conduct of deck department activities and act as Master, Large Vessel when required. You plan, direct, and organize crew, delegate vessel duties, and provide regular training and performance feedback. In addition, you perform various administrative duties relating to deck safety, security, maintenance, and crew. You possess considerable knowledge of applicable navigating equipment and techniques, ship handling principles, stability, seamanship, and deck maintenance. Your background includes six months experience as a Senior Watchkeeping Officer within the last three years.

You are computer literate and have clear, concise, English communication skills. A familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite would be an asset. The successful candidate will hold the necessary certificates as required by Transport Canada and must obtain a valid a Seafarers’ medical prior to commencing employment.

October 12, 2026.

"We sail to serve and connect the people and the coast of BC”

At BC Ferries, our people are at the heart of delivering safe and reliable service along 1,600 km of coastline. Every day, we connect communities and move tens of thousands of passengers and vehicles across our 25 routes through the dedication, expertise and hard work of our teams. Guided by a shared commitment to safety, service, inclusion, and local commitment, we offer meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and the chance to make a positive impact. Whether you work onboard our vessels, in our terminals or behind the scenes, you'll play an important role in connecting people, supporting communities, and keeping coastal BC moving.

We support employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals including women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), and others who reflect our ever-changing workplace.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.