Boatmaster

Serco; Kyle of Lochalsh; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Internal courses and qualifications

Wellbeing programme / wellbeing app

Staff discounts

Volunteer day

Employee networks

Job summary

Serco in Kyle of Lochalsh is seeking a Boatmaster to take overall command of a vessel within our Defence Marine team, ensuring safe, compliant operations and leading the crew. You will maintain safety, environmental protection, and high professional standards while coordinating with operational teams and stakeholders to support critical marine services and trusted service delivery.

Eligible candidates will hold MCA Boatmaster or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with Commercial Endorsement, ENG1 and STCW

Qualifications

• MCA Boatmaster or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with Commercial Endorsement.
• Valid ENG1 Medical Certificate.
• STCW Basic Safety Training, including refresher where required.
• Strong leadership, decision-making and communication skills.
• Able to remain calm and effective in challenging situations while maintaining high safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Take overall command of the vessel, ensuring compliance with maritime legislation and company procedures.
• Ensure seaworthiness and safety of vessel, crew and clients, while supporting pollution prevention measures.
• Prepare the vessel for voyages and tasking, liaising with operations teams and stakeholders.
• Lead shipboard safety and management activities, maintaining efficiency and crew welfare.
• Review and maintain risk assessments and technical documentation per IMS.
• Supervise navigation during critical operations including port approaches and adverse weather.

Skills

Strong leadership

Decision-making

Communication skills

Education

MCA Boatmaster or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with Commercial Endorsement

Job description

Location: Kyle of Lochalsh, Ross-Shire, IV40 8AJ

Salary: Competitive plus excellent benefits

Schedule: Perm/FT/48 hours - rostered 4 weeks on, 4 weeks off

For applicants who live further than 80 miles away from Kyle of Lochalsh, Serco will pay a maximum of 0.55p per mile for travel to and from base.

Ready to impact a better future?

As a Boatmaster in our Defence Marine team, you’ll take overall command of a vessel, ensuring safe, efficient and compliant operations while leading your crew and supporting critical marine services. Your work will have a direct impact on operational delivery, safety and service excellence.

Every day, you’ll help create a positive impact by ensuring the safe movement of people and operations at sea. From maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental protection to supporting crews and stakeholders, your work has purpose and helps deliver trusted services that touch lives and support communities now and into the future.

What You’ll Do As a Boatmaster

• Take overall command of the vessel, ensuring compliance with maritime legislation, class requirements, company policies and operational procedures.
• Ensure the seaworthiness and safety of the vessel, crew and embarked clients, while supporting pollution prevention measures.
• Prepare the vessel for voyages and operational tasking, liaising with operational teams and stakeholders as required.
• Lead shipboard safety and management activities, maintaining operational efficiency, crew welfare and high professional standards.
• Review and maintain risk assessments, operational procedures and technical documentation in line with the Integrated Management System.
• Actively supervise navigation during critical operations, including port approaches, confined waters and adverse weather conditions.

Does this sound like you?

• MCA Boatmaster or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with Commercial Endorsement as a minimum requirement
• Valid ENG1 Medical Certificate.
• STCW Basic Safety Training, including refresher training where required.
• Strong leadership, decision-making and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborative relationships.
• Able to remain calm and effective in challenging situations while maintaining high standards of safety and operational performance.

What We Offer

• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds

Vetting And Checks

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).