Chief Mate

Curtin Marine Transportation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Short-term Disability

AD&D/Life Insurance

401k (with company match)

Flexible Spending Account

Job summary

Curtin Marine Transportation is seeking a Harbor Services Chief Mate based in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area. You will work with Port Captain and Vessel Captain to lead ship-assist and escort operations within the San Pedro Bay Port Complex, ensuring safe docking and compliance with Curtin standards.

The role requires navigation of high-traffic harbor conditions, strong leadership, and a commitment to 24/7 operations with night, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Qualifications

• Ability to think clearly during emergencies and stressful situations.
• Respect for chain of command and ability to take direction.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience navigating fast-paced harbor environments with deep-draft vessels.

Responsibilities

• Lead ship-assist and escort operations in San Pedro Bay Port Complex.
• Assist Captain and Pilots in docking, undocking, and escorting vessels.
• Maintain Curtin Standard onboard and ensure safety and compliance.

Skills

Stress management

Chain of command

Attention to detail

Harbor operations

Tools

Crew management

Job description

Position: Curtin Habor Services – Chief Mate

Location: Los Angeles /
Long Beach, CA

Department: Marine Transportation, Ship Assist & Escort

Reports to: Port Captain, Vessel Captain

Schedule: This is a full-time position based in the San Pedro Bay Port Complex (Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach). Shift-based schedule to support 24/7 ship-assist and escort operations, including nights, weekends, and holidays as vessel and customer schedules require. Unlike Curtin's ocean towing positions, this role is harbor-based and does not typically require extended time away from home

Efficiency. Innovation. Integrity. These are our 3 Pillars. At Curtin, these core values are the framework for safe performance and operational excellence; proof of these pillars is evident in our people and our fleet. For 25 years, Curtin has been an industry leader in quality maritime solutions. We are a dynamic Marine Construction and Marine Transportation company experiencing rapid growth. Our team provides customers with a complete suite of maritime solutions, allowing us the incredible opportunity to work on unique projects in some of the most amazing places on earth.

THIS ROLE:

Ship Assist & Escort Mates will work directly with the Port Captain and Vessel Captain aboard Curtin's ASD ship-assist and escort tugs (e.g., Tuuli C), applying our three core values of Innovation, Integrity, and Efficiency and maintaining the Curtin Standard onboard. As a leader both within the organization and onboard, the Mate will be the expert in the Curtin Standard for ship-assist and escort operations in the San Pedro Bay Port Complex, assisting the Captain and Harbor/State Pilots in the safe docking, undocking, and escort of deep-draft vessels.

WHO YOU ARE:

Mental Aptitudes

• Ability to think clearly during stressful situations or during an emergency
• Understand and respect the chain of command; ability to take direction no matter how it is given
• Attention to detail / excellent organizational skills
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-traffic harbor environment with frequent close-quarters maneuvering around deep-draft vessels, other tugs, and dock structures

Physical Aptitudes

• Abilityto traverse uneven ground and to walk gangways at various heights
• Agility to bend, stoop, or squat frequently and climb high steps/ladders several times a day
• Ability to lift 100 pounds safely; moving equipment that is heavy, large, or awkward
• Physical dexterity and strength to catch and handle lines; make up tows and escort bridles; operate deck machinery; work on equipment that is poorly accessible
• Ability to work below decks in an area that may experience periods of darkness; work in confined spaces
• Ability to perform emergency duties and use emergency equipment onboard vessel
• Must be able to swim
• Demonstrate good personal hygiene, always maintain cleanliness

Ship Assist & Escort Mate - $450 - $750/day

LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:

• TWIC Card
• Mate of Towing Vessels, Near Coastal OR 500 GRT Mate, Near Coastal w/ TOAR
• CG Medical Certificate – No nighttime restrictions
• Pass physical & drug test
• MROP FCC License
• Radar Unlimited
• STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft

PREFERRED LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:

• STCW OICNW 500 Ton, Near Coastal
• Master of Towing Vessels, Near Coastal
• Prior ship-assist / escort experience in the Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach (San Pedro Bay Port Complex) or a comparable high-traffic deep-draft harbor strongly preferred

VESSEL PROFICIENCIES:

• General understanding of Curtin's ship-assist operating standards: radio etiquette with pilots/dock/agents, lines/rigging and their appropriate applications, caring for cordage, painting schemes/program, machinery limitations, etc.
• ASD/Z-drive tractor-tug handling, progressing from introductory maneuvering under supervision to developing skilled operation in current and close-quarters ship traffic
• Direct and indirect escort towing methods; bow and stern ship-assist work
• Able to fill out forms and reports in the Vessel Management System
• Basic engine room knowledge and mechanical repair abilities
• Crew management skills on deck and for vessel maintenance; work plans created with Captain/Chief Mate and carried out
• Job/voyage planning for ship-assist and escort work, including weather observations/predictions and San Pedro Bay traffic awareness, coordinated Pilots, terminal operators, and agent

COMPLIANCE:

• Proficiency in operation of the Vessel Management System, progressing to mastery of all modules and the ability to train others; complete outstanding tasks and VMS items in a timely manner
• Maintain inventories
• Understanding and enforcement of the Curtin Standard
• Assisting with internal and external compliance audits
• Diligent and thorough recordkeeping in the official logbook and other necessary recordings

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:

• Takes ownership of vessel and crew by assigning projects to crew and holding yourself and crew accountable
• Follows and enforces the Curtin Standard
• Maintains professionalism with Curtin staff, regulatory bodies, customers, pilots, agents, and crews
• Advanced crew management skills; ability to coach crew members and provide feedback for improved performance
• Ability to assist in drydocking management and vessel commissioning

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive Compensation
• Generous benefits package including:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Short-term Disability
  • AD&D/Life Insurance
  • 401k (with company match)
  • Additional option to elect incremental Life Insurance for employee and dependents, and choice to elect Health and/or Dependent Flexible Spending Account.

Curtin Maritime is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.