Boat Captain

Crofton; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Crofton is seeking a Boat Captain to oversee vessel operations with a focus on safety and compliance. The role requires leadership to manage crew and ensure adherence to maritime regulations while coordinating movements of barges and support vessels in the Portsmouth Marine Terminal area.

The position is full-time and involves long hours, potential travel, and the ability to respond decisively to emergencies, ensuring safe operations in all weather and tide conditions.

Qualifications

• Must have valid Master Captain License and knowledge of maritime practices.
• Strong leadership, communications, and organizational skills.
• Ability to make quick, safe decisions in dynamic conditions.
• Basic firefighting, lifesaving and emergency response capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead vessel operations and safety oversight for assigned boats.
• Ensure compliance with COI, OPA 90, Clean Water Act, 46 CFR, Subchapter M.
• Maintain daily activity records, voyage logs, and port calls.
• Coordinate movements of barges and other vessels within Portsmouth Marine Terminal.

Skills

Master Captain License

Maritime practices

Leadership

Emergency management

Decision making

Crew supervision

Communication skills

Problem solving

Mechanical knowledge

Education

Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) including 200 Ton Master or Mate of Towing

TWIC Card

VSO – Vessel Security Officer

Radar unlimited

Tools

Radar

Sonic depth finder

Compass

Sextant

Navigation charts

MMC navigation equipment

Job description

Boat Captain

Job Summary:

Crofton offers industry leading solutions above and below the waterline, combining comprehensive expertise in all aspects of commercial diving, marine construction and crane rental & rigging. We execute our projects with safety and integrity. Crofton is a growing company with a highly collaborative and dynamic work environment. Our team members work vigorously to meet our customers’ needs. No two days are the same! Crofton is seeking a Boat Captain to join our team.

This position is full-time, frequently requires long hours, weekend work and some out-of-area and overnight travel. Boat Captains determine if it is unsafe for the vessel to proceed, whether the operation endangers the vessel or the crew, and has the authority to stop the vessel if unsafe conditions exist. If you have a passion for boating, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to manage a vessel effectively, join our team and embark on exciting adventures on the water!

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• The Boat Captain serves as the commander of the assigned vessel, in charge of overall safe operations, maintenance, crew accountability and productivity in moving barges and other vessels from one location to another

Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Adhere to the provisions of the Certificate of Inspection (COI).
• Compliance with applicable regulations; including but not limited to; OPA 90, Clean Water Act, 46 CFR, Subchapter M, Compliance with Company’s HSP, ensuring each crew member required to hold Merchant mariner Credentials (MMC) always have the credentials on board and available for examination.
• Review HSP on a regular basis and report on conformities to shore based management.
• Maintains records of daily activities, movements, and ports-of-call, and prepares progress and personnel reports, and other related documentation.
• Making multiple movements of material barges, crane barges, and other vessels in the water channels of the Portsmouth Marine Terminal area.

• Compute position, sets courses, and determines speed, using charts, area plotting sheets, navigation devices, like radar, sonic depth finder, compass and sextant and aids to navigation, like lighthouses buoys.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must have valid Master Captain License and knowledge of maritime practices
• Computer, organizational, and communications skills
• Ability to handle emergencies calmly and efficiently.
• Must have basic firefighting skills and basic lifesaving and rescue techniques.
• Able to influence and motivate people to act.
• Thrives in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Able to work effectively with many different personality types.
• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Strong mechanical knowledge to troubleshoot and repair boat systems.

Education and Experience:

• Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) that includes 200 Ton Master or Mate of Towing
• TWIC Card
• Minimum of 5 Years of experience to include towing experience.
• VSO, Vessel Security Officer
• Radar unlimited

Physical Requirements:

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hand and/or fingers.
• Ability to see and respond to dangerous situations.
• Color correct vision
• Ability to respond quickly to sounds.
• Able to travel all areas of the jobsite in all types of weather; this may require walking, climbing, reaching, bending, crawling, or stretching.