Head of Marine Safety & Compliance

Hornblower Corp; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City Cruises UK, part of the Hornblower Group, seeks a Head of Safety and Compliance to lead safety across London passenger vessel operations and act as the company’s Designated Person (DP). You will own the Safety Management System, engage with MCA/PLA/MAIB, and oversee shore-side health and safety across piers, offices and contractors.

You will lead the Safety and Compliance team and drive a just safety culture where concerns can be raised openly and investigated thoroughly.

Qualifications

• Significant senior experience in passenger vessel operations or marine safety management.
• Experience of working under the DSM or ISM Code, including MCA surveys and audits.
• DP or DPA training, or willingness to complete it within 6 months.
• Experience of managing health and safety in a shore-side or multi-site operation.
• Experience of leading investigations, including those reportable to the MAIB.
• Experience of managing people and a budget.
• Credibility with Masters, crew and regulators, and the confidence to challenge at senior level.

Responsibilities

• Act as Designated Person, providing the link between vessels and shore management, with direct access to the Managing Director.
• Own and continually improve our Safety Management System under the MCA’s DSM Code.
• Build strong relationships with the MCA, PLA and MAIB.
• Work with Operations and Engineering to keep our fleet safe, compliant and running.
• Set the standards for marine crew competence, training and fitness for duty.
• Lead health and safety across our piers, offices and contractors.
• Promote a just safety culture where people speak up and learn from near misses.

Skills

Senior safety experience

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Tools

Helm CONNECT

Job description

This is a permanent position based on-site at our pier located in Bermondsey, SE16 with the opportunity to work from home one day per week, and will also take the responsibility of Designated Person.

ABOUT US:

City Cruises UK, part of the Hornblower Group, runs sightseeing, dining and private charter cruises on the RiverThames in London and in York. Safety is our number one value, and we’re looking for an experienced marine safetyleader to head it up.

THE ROLE

The Head of Safety and Compliance leads safety across our London passenger vessel operations and is the company’s Designated Person (DP). Reporting to the Operations Director, you will own our Safety Management System, lead our relationships with the MCA, PLA, MAIB and other authorities, and set standards for marine crew competence. You will also oversee health and safety across our shore-side operations, including piers, offices and contractors.

You will lead the safety and compliance team, including the Safety and Compliance Manager, who acts as Deputy DP,and the Marine Training Manager. Together you will build an open, just safety culture where everyone feels confident to raise concerns.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Act as our Designated Person, providing the link between vessels and shore management, with direct access to our Managing Director
• Own and continually improve our Safety Management System under the MCA’s DSM Code, protecting passengers, crew and vessels
• Build strong, trusted relationships with the MCA, PLA and MAIB
• Work with Operations and Engineering to keep our fleet safe, compliant and running
• Set the standards for marine crew competence, training and fitness for duty
• Lead health and safety across our piers, offices and contractors
• Build an open, just safety culture where people speak up, and learn from every near miss and incident

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Essential

• Significant senior experience in passenger vessel operations or marine safety management
• Experience of working under the DSM or ISM Code, including MCA surveys and audits
• DP or DPA training, or willingness to complete it within 6 months
• Experience of managing health and safety in a shore-side or multi-site operation
• Experience of leading investigations, including those reportable to the MAIB
• Experience of managing people and a budget
• Credibility with Masters, crew and regulators, and the confidence to challenge at senior level

Great to have

• Master’s Certificate of Competency or Boatmaster’s Licence
• Experience as a DP or DPA
• NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent
• Lead auditor qualification
• River Thames or other inland / coastal passenger experience
• Experience of Helm CONNECT or similar software

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