Deckhand - Float Pool

Svitzer; Milford Haven; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension matched up to 10%

Life Cover (4x pensionable salary) and

Single Private Medical Insurance

7 days leave after 3 years’ service

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Svitzer in the United Kingdom is seeking a Deckhand to join our Float Pool, working across our UK operations and living onboard as part of a dedicated crew. You’ll support the Master and officers to ensure safe, efficient operations and help maintain vessel standards in busy, high-pressure environments.

Two-week rotations provide real time time off, with modern vessels and a strong safety culture. The role includes training, development, and long-term career opportunities within the global

Qualifications

• Must have Able Seaman or Efficient Deckhand Certification with Navigational Watch Rating.
• Valid ENG1 medical and STCW Basic Safety Training (minimum six months’ validity).
• Full UK Driving Licence and legal right to live and work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a close-knit tug crew in busy, high-pressure environments.
• Support the Master and officers to ensure safe, efficient operations.
• Take ownership of deck operations, safety routines and vessel standards.
• Carry out planned maintenance and keep the vessel clean, safe and ready.
• Get involved in deck and engine-room tasks when required.
• Commit to ongoing training and professional development.

Skills

Able Seaman Certification

Navigational Watch Rating

STCW Basic Safety Training

Harbour towage experience

Full UK Driving Licence

Strong work ethic

Good communication skills

Job description

Not Everyone Is Cut Out for Tug Work - That’s Exactly the Point.

Svitzer is looking for a Deckhand to join our Float Pool, working across our UK operations.

This is not a passive role. Tug work demands reliability, awareness, teamwork and pride in doing things properly. You’ll live onboard, work hard during your time on, and be a key part of a crew where everyone pulls their weight and standards matter.

If you want hands‑on maritime work on powerful vessels, in real operations—not just ticking boxes—this could be the right step for you.

This Is What The Job Really Looks Like

• Working as part of a close-knit tug crew in busy, high-pressure environments
• Supporting the Master and officers to ensure safe, efficient operations
• Taking ownership of deck operations, safety routines and vessel standards
• Carrying out planned maintenance and keeping the vessel clean, safe and ready
• Getting involved in both deck and engine-room tasks when required
• Committing to ongoing training and professional development
• If you take pride in your vessel, your crew, and your work, you’ll fit in well here.

Why Svitzer?

• 2 week rotations – clear structure and real time off
• Modern vessels, strong safety culture, and high operational standards
• A global company with local teams that look after their people
• Training, development and long-term career opportunities

We don’t promise an easy job. We promise a worthwhile one.

What You Get

• Competitive salary of £37,117.84 per annum
• Permanent, time for time contract
• Pension matched up to 10%
• Life Cover (4x pensionable salary) and Single Private Medical Insurance
• 7 days leave after 3 years’ service
• Employee Assistance Programme

What You Bring

• Able Seaman Certification or Efficient Deckhand Certification with a Navigational Watch Rating Certificate
• Harbour or terminal towage experience preferred, but not essential
• Valid ENG1 medical and STCW Basic Safety Training (minimum six months’ validity on all certificates)
• Full UK Driving Licence
• The legal right to live and work in the UK
• A strong work ethic, good communication skills, and a professional attitude
• Willing to work captive onboard during two-week rotation

Ready to Get Started?

If you want to build real experience, earn trust, and progress in professional towage, this could be the move that defines your next step.

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under‑represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!