Senior Marine Pilot

Smit Lamnalco; Jizan; On-site; SAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Smit Lamnalco, part of the Boskalis group, is seeking a Senior Marine Pilot to provide safe pilotage at JCPDI Port, Saudi Aramco facilities and SPM locations, ensuring compliance with regulations and company safety standards. The role requires Master Mariner 1, 10 years’ experience in harbour/tanker/SQM pilotage, English fluency (Arabic a plus), BRM training, and leadership to mentor junior pilots.

A 9 weeks on/off roster applies.

Qualifications

• Master Mariner Class 1 (Unlimited) COP and valid medical fitness.
• Minimum 10 years of marine pilot experience in harbour, tanker, offshore and SPM pilotage.
• Strong knowledge of ship handling, tug operations and modern navigation (ECDIS, radar).
• Experience in the Middle East or Saudi Arabia; familiarity with VTS and port systems.
• Proficiency in English; Arabic knowledge is a plus.
• BRM and Human Factors training.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, situational awareness and risk assessment skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct safe pilotage for vessels in JCPDI Port and SPM locations.
• Provide navigational advice to Masters and bridge teams.
• Assess weather, sea state, tides, currents and hazards to determine safe parameters.
• Develop and communicate pilotage and berthing plans with Masters, tug Masters, mooring teams, VTS and terminal reps.
• Direct tug usage and mooring arrangements during berthing and vessel shifting operations.
• Maintain effective communication with VTS, port authorities and ship bridge teams; ensure compliance.
• Maintain pilotage records and participate in safety investigations and reviews.
• Mentor junior pilots and contribute to safety culture and continuous improvement.
• Be available for a 24/7 operational roster.

Skills

Ship handling

Tug operations

Bridge Resource Management

English proficiency

Leadership

Risk assessment

Situational awareness

Education

Master Mariner Class 1 (Unlimited) COP

IMO A.960 Pilot Training

Medical fitness certification

BRM training

Job description

Smit Lamnalco is part of the Boskalis group of companies. Working at Smit Lamnalco is about providing marine support services tailored to the unique operational needs of our global customers in local markets. Our promise to our clients is to provide the best marine services possible, no matter how challenging the environment or how remote the location. At Smit Lamnalco we are convinced that our people make the difference. With dedication, experience, and teamwork, we make a vital contribution to our clients’ success. Drawing from different backgrounds and nationalities, we are one team working towards the same goal. We offer you the opportunity to develop yourself in a challenging, dynamic, and truly international environment. Together!

Job Description

You can make your mark by providing safe, efficient, and professional pilotage services for vessels calling at JCPDI Port, Saudi Aramco facilities, and the Single Point Mooring (SPM), while ensuring all operations are carried out in line with applicable regulations, Harbour Master Instructions, international best practice, and company safety standards.

Your responsibilities as a Senior Marine Pilot

• Conduct safe and efficient pilotage operations for vessels arriving, departing, shifting, berthing, and unberthing within JCPDI Port limits, associated facilities, and assigned offshore SPM locations.
• Provide professional navigational advice to vessel Masters and bridge teams to ensure the safe movement of all vessel types within the port and its approaches.
• Assess weather, sea state, tides, currents, traffic, and navigational hazards to determine safe operating parameters and support pilotage decisions.
• Develop and communicate pilotage and berthing plans with vessel Masters, tug Masters, mooring teams, VTS, terminal representatives, and other relevant parties.
• Direct tug usage and mooring arrangements during berthing, unberthing, and vessel shifting operations.
• Maintain effective communication and coordination with VTS, port authorities, terminal operators, and vessel bridge teams throughout operations.
• Ensure compliance with Harbour Master Instructions, port regulations, company procedures, and applicable national and international maritime regulations.
• Maintain accurate pilotage records, reports, and documentation in line with company requirements.
• Participate in incident investigations, safety meetings, emergency response exercises, and operational reviews, while actively supporting HSE initiatives and a strong safety culture.
• Contribute to the mentoring and development of junior pilots, as well as continuous improvement in marine safety, operational efficiency, and customer service.
• Participate in a 24/7 operational roster and remain available for pilotage duties as required by operational demands.

Your qualities

• Master Mariner Class 1 (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency, valid medical fitness certification, and completion of IMO Resolution A.960 Pilot Training or an equivalent recognised pilot training programme.
• Minimum 10 years of experience as a Marine Pilot, including harbour, tanker, offshore, and SPM pilotage operations, preferably within major commercial ports, industrial ports, or oil and gas terminals.
• Strong knowledge of ship handling, tug operations, bridge resource management, pilotage best practices, and modern navigation systems including ECDIS, radar, and pilotage equipment.
• Previous experience in the Middle East or Saudi Arabia, as well as exposure to VTS operations, port management systems, container terminal operations, and bulk cargo operations.
• Proficiency in English is essential, while knowledge of Arabic is a plus.
• Training or certification in Bridge Resource Management (BRM) and Human Factors.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, situational awareness, and risk assessment skills.

What you can expect

• A dynamic environment: A job that allows you to collaborate with a talented team of experts from different backgrounds and contribute to making a significant impact.
• Rewarding conditions: This is a great opportunity for a talented and motivated technical professional who is keen and eager to join an International Marine company. Smit Lamnalco offers a competitive compensation & benefit package.
• Career development: We offer you plenty of opportunities to bring out the best in yourself.

Extra information

• Full/part-time job: The position of Senior Marine Pilot is a full-time role on an 9-weeks-on, 9-weeks-off rotation.

Additional Information

We’ll be happy to answer your questions about the position of Senior Marine Pilot.