Deckhand/AB

Curtin Marine Transportation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k with match

AD&D/Life Insurance

Job summary

Curtin Harbor Services is hiring a Deckhand/AB based in the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor area. You will support ship-assist and escort operations, work with the Port Captain and Vessel Captain, and join a team dedicated to safety and efficiency in a busy port complex.

The role requires physical fitness, the ability to work nights/weekends, and experience with lines, rigging, and deck duties. Benefits and company values are emphasized across operations.

Qualifications

• Ability to work safely under supervision and in high-traffic harbor environments.
• Experience with ship-assist and escort operations preferred.
• Strong understanding of deckhand duties and rigging procedures.

Responsibilities

• Work safely as directed by supervisor.
• Learn and operate Curtin fleet vessels.
• Complete Deckhand Training Manual.
• Lead deck crew for ship-assist, barge work and escort operations.
• Identify maintenance needs and plan corrective actions.

Skills

Deckhand operations

Line handling

VHF radio comms

Ship-assist operations

Tools

Vessel Management System

Job description

Position: Curtin Harbor Services – Deckhand/AB

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:

Deckhands aboard Curtin's ASD ship-assist and escort tugs (e.g., Tuuli C) will work directly with the Port Captain and Vessel Captain, applying our three core values of Innovation, Integrity, and Efficiency and maintaining the Curtin Standard onboard while assisting deep-draft vessels in and around the San Pedro Bay Port Complex.

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

• Agility to 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 with wire rigging; 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 DECKHAND / AB - $280-$475/day

LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:

• TWIC Card
• MMC (Able Seafarer – Special)
• CG Medical Certificate – no night restrictions
• Pass physical & drug test

PREFERRED LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:

• STCW Basic Training
• STCW PSC Limited
• STCW RFPNW
• STCW Able Seafarer Deck
• 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND GOALS:

• Work safely as directed by supervisor
• Proactively learn and become proficient with the various vessels in our fleet and understand your basic functions as a deckhand on them.
• Completion of Curtin's Deckhand Training Manual
• Ability to work independently on projects and tasks, progressing to running the deck and leading the deck crew for all ship-assist, barge work and escort operations
• Ability to identify maintenance needs and plan projects and tasks to correct them
• Experienced in use of the Vessel Management System

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL:

On Deck:

• Making up on hip, push and hawser towing astern
• Making off lines on cleats, H-bitts, and double bitts
• Proper line retrieval, boat hook, grapple hook, heaving line, and messenger line use, including messenger lines passed down from a ship's crew during ship-assist operations
• Operation of the quick-release hydraulic towing winch/hook under direction of the Captain or Mate
• Rigging and handling escort bridles for direct and indirect towing
• Fendering and hull-contact awareness when working alongside a ship's hull
• Throwing lines (on/off bits, heaving and grapple lines)
• Ship-assist radio calling and VHF working-channel etiquette with pilots, dock, and agents
• Call in a barge as the lookout for the tug operator via VHF radio
• Pre-job vessel checks
• Crane signaling and rigging
• Basic vessel maintenance, including painting and prepping for paint, greasing, caring for lines and rigging, etc.
• Preparing and rigging the tug for ship-assist jobs across container ships, tankers, car carriers, bulk carriers, and barges
• Advanced line handling in close quarters with other tugs, line handlers, and dock structures

Marlinspike:

• Splices (3 strand, eye, short, end and quick splices)
• Tending winches
• Knots (becket bend, sheet bend, double sheet bend, monkey fist, barrel hitch)

Vocabulary:

• Proficient in all vocabulary listed in Deckhand Training Binder

Engine Room:

• Stand watch
• Reading gauges/ logging and being able to identify when something is operating outside of normal specifications to notify the Chief Engineer or watch officer.
• Clean and inspect equipment
• Trace systems
• Perform basic maintenance/services
• Electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and mechanical skills
• Connect/disconnect shore power

House Duties:

• Inventorying, cooking, cleaning
• Maintain fresh water
• Shopping
• Ability to lead deck crew in planning and stowing for extended duty periods, including provisioning and forecasting use of consumables

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.