Captain - Statue Cruises

Hornblower Group; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Hornblower Group seeks a Captain to operate Coast Guard-inspected small passenger vessels under NPS contracts along the New York–New Jersey waterfront, Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and adjacent routes. The role ensures crew safety, passenger enjoyment, and environmental respect.

The Master in Navigational Command leads a professional crew, upholds USCG standards, maintains logs, and delivers a safe, engaging interpretive experience for Statue Cruises guests.

Qualifications

• Merchant Mariner Credential and medicals required.
• USCG Inland Masters (100 ton+) or equivalent.
• FCC Marine Radio Telephony and TWIC card.
• CPR/First Aid certification and valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Operate the vessel with proper Standards of Watch in accordance with USCG regulations.
• Supervise deck crew and conduct safety meetings and drills.
• Maintain vessel operations logs, personnel reports, and ship’s records.
• Ensure guest safety, security, and a high-quality interpretive experience.

Skills

Maritime leadership

Safety management

Communication

Education

Merchant Mariner Credential

Merchant Mariner Medical

USCG Inland Masters (100 ton+)

FCC Marine Radio Telephony

TWIC Card

Driver's license

CPR / First Aid Certification

2+ years boat handling experience

Customer service experience

Job description

Hornblower Groupis a global leader in experienceand transportation.Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group's portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group's premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group's Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group's subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels.Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity,provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group's global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group's additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.

Position Summary

The Captain operates United States Coast Guard Inspected Small Passenger Vessels under contract for the National Park Service between the New York and New Jersey Waterfront, Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and on adjacent routes in a manner that insures the Safety and Security of the Crew, Enjoyment of the Passengers, and Respect for the Environment

Duties And Responsibilities

• As the Master in Navigational Command, operates the vessel with due regard for proper Standards of Watch.
• Standing and Wheelhouse Resources Management in accordance with the practice of good seamanship.
• Assign each crew member work appropriate for his classification.
• Conducts Safety Meetings in conformance with Statue Cruises policy, to ensure a routinely efficient and safe operation of the vessel at all times and the proper use of equipment during any possible onboard emergency.
• Counsel and Discipline crew members regarding performance issues
• Directly supervises the First Officer, Deckhands, and other Crewmembers in all areas of Marine Transportation Safety, Security, and Training.
• Discipline crew members who fail to adhere to Company policy or USCG regulations.
• Maintains Vessel Operations and Maintenance Logs, Personnel Reports, and all other Ship's Business records.
• Routinely conducts Watch Quarter Station Bill Emergency Drills in accordance with US Coast Guard regulations, and routinely inspects all areas of the vessel for unsafe conditions, performs accident investigations, and makes safety announcements to ensure the safety and comfort of the crew and passengers.
• Shall observe and evaluate the crew under their command.
• Wears Statue Cruises Uniform at all times while in the presence of guests.
• Follows all U S Coast Guard regulations and has a working knowledge of the Navigational Rules of the Road.
• Follows all National Park Service directives, and Liberty and Ellis Island policies, to insure all passengers, quests, and visitors to the Area have an Interpretive Experience.
• Implements the Vessel Safety and Security Plans to insure compliance with US Coast Guard Office of Homeland Security Rules and Regulations.
• Supervises others in Customer Service and Environmental Practices that Respect the Planet, both by instruction and in practice by setting a good example as a team leader for others to follow, to the fulfillment of Statue Cruises policies and to the enjoyment of visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
• Conducts employee job performance reviews.
• Complies with and enforces established Company policies and procedures.
• Additional job duties as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Merchant Mariner Credential
• Merchant Mariner Medical
• CPR / First Aid Certification
• U.S. Coast Guard Inland Masters (100 ton or more passengers) or equivalent.
• FCC Marine Radio Telephony.
• Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) Card.
• Possess and maintain a current New York or New Jersey Driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
• Two (2) years of boat handling experience preferred but not required.
• Customer service experience is helpful.
• We are a quality hospitality organization that serves the public year round. Working weekends and holidays may be required.
• Regular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be established by Statue Cruises from time to time, is essential to the successful performance of this position. Crewmembers with irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work onboard a moving vessel in varying weather and sea conditions, including maintaining balance and stability while underway.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, frequently throughout a shift.
• Ability to navigate stairs, ladders, narrow passageways, and confined spaces commonly found onboard vessels.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull supplies, equipment, and inventory weighing up to 40 pounds independently.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and perform repetitive motions as required in food service and hospitality operations.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively during normal operations, guest service situations, and emergency procedures.
• Ability to safely work in a fast-paced environment with exposure to moving equipment, wet surfaces, temperature variations, and moderate noise levels.
• Ability to visually inspect service areas, food presentation, cleanliness standards, and safety conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests, crew members, and management in person and via radio or other communication devices.
• Successfully complete vessel-specific safety and emergency training.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as operational needs require.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily onboard a Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel, with duties split between dining, service, storage, galley-adjacent, and administrative areas.
• Position requires regular movement throughout multiple decks and may involve occasional exposure to outdoor marine environments, including heat, humidity, rain, wind, and sunlight.
• Must be able to safely perform duties while the vessel is docked or underway.

RESPECT Service System

By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.