Tug Engineer

Balaena; Falmouth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Minimum 25 days annual leave plus bank

4% pension contribution

Death in service benefit

Life cover at 7x salary

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Balaena is expanding its team in Falmouth and seeks a Tug Engineer to join as a harbour-based role with occasional travel to support coastal towage operations. This position suits someone with sea-going experience seeking more time on land.

You’ll contribute to safe, environmentally sound operations, maintain mechanical equipment, and work closely with the team to meet client needs while staying compliant with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience as sea-going engineer transitioning to land-based work.
• MCA Chief Engineer 3000kW (III/3) certification.
• All STCW short courses (including recent amendments).
• Valid ENG1 medical.

Responsibilities

• Provide 24/7 towage cover within a 40-hour week.
• Maintain ship systems to ensure safe, efficient operation.
• Make sound decisions with attention to detail; work well with others.
• Adhere to rules and be comfortable working with a team.
• Handle potential hazardous situations and variable weather.
• Order routine machinery parts and engine room supplies.

Skills

Fluent English

Education

MCA Chief Engineer 3000kW (III/3)

All STCW short courses

Valid ENG1 medical

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Tug Engineer, Falmouth

We are growing our team here in Falmouth and are looking for Tug Engineer to join us. This is a great opportunity for someone who has been sea going and is looking to spend more time on land.

You’ll mainly be harbour based and at times will need to work away from port on costal towage and similar support operations.

Who are we?

With a combined workforce of over 2,000 employees and operations spanning Gibraltar, Padstow, Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth, Balaena is one of the UK’s most dynamic and regionally anchored maritime groups - combining industrial agility, innovation, and community partnership to support national resilience, commercial competitiveness, and sustainability across both naval and merchant ship sectors.

The integration of our modern facilities in Gibraltar and Padstow with APCL’s infrastructure on Tyne, Birkenhead and Falmouth created one of the world’s most capable ship repair and shipbuilding groups - with a network of 12 dry docks and strategic reach across the UK and the Mediterranean.
We respond quickly to defence and commercial requirements and deliver consistent quality and reliability to clients worldwide.

So as Tug Engineer, what will you do?

• In this 40-hour week you’ll provide cover 24/7 to meet the needs of customers requiring towage
• You’ll work to keep the ship running smoothly and ensure all on board are safe ensuring efficient, environmentally sound, safe operation and maintenance of all mechanical equipment
• Making sound decisions you’ll be dependable, conscientious, show initiative, pay attention to details and be fluent in English
• You’ll adhere to rules and be comfortable working closely with others
• Show stability under pressure and have the ability to withstand the stresses associated with the potential hazardous situations and unpredictable weather extremes you’ll face
• You’ll routinely order machinery parts and engine room supplies

And what are we looking for?

• MCA Chief Engineer 3000kW (III/3)
• All STCW short courses (including recent amendments)
• Valid ENG1 medical
• Ability to use Microsoft Office packages

Why join us?

• Salary based on experience and what you bring to the role.
• Benefits including:
  • Minimum 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • 4% pension contribution and a generous death in service benefit
  • Life cover at 7x your basic salary
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme

Due to the nature of the work we undertake, all successful candidates must undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check and attain Security Check (SC) Clearance as part of pre-employment checks, further information on this can be found here.