Lower Miss Pilot/Captain (25+ barge experience)

American Commercial Barge Line LLC; Cairo (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

401(k) match

Employee Assistance Program

Well‑maintained vessels

Job summary

American Commercial Barge Line is seeking a Lower Miss Pilot/Captain with 25+ barge experience to navigate the waterways, lead the vessel crew, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance. The role requires managing logs, responding to emergencies, and serving as the Vessel Security Officer while adhering to the Vessel Endurance Management System.

The position supports a 28 days on/28 days off schedule (or 14 days off) with travel across the Upper and Lower Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

Qualifications

• Master of Towing Vessels upon Western Rivers license required.
• Inland Waters or Near Coastal Endorsement required.
• USCG physical examination requirements must be met.
• Travel to and from vessel/training locations by air or vehicle.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Work 28 days onboard and 28/14 days off with possible overtime.
• 24/7 watch schedules (6x6 or 12-hour watches).
• Experience pushing 25+ barges on the Lower Miss.
• Ability to ride in or pilot crew boats to towing vessel.
• Maintain active USCG licensing and TWIC.

Responsibilities

• Navigate vessels safely and efficiently along the Upper, Lower Mississippi, Illinois Rivers and tributaries.
• Supervise and lead the vessel's crew for a cohesive, safety‑mocused team.
• Ensure compliance with federal/local maritime regulations and environmental standards.
• Respond to navigational challenges and emergencies to protect vessel, crew, cargo.
• Maintain logs and voyage records, including charts and incident reports.
• Carry out duties under the Vessel Security Plan as the vessel security officer.
• Enforce company policies and Vessel Endurance Management System onboard.
• Report CDC barges at pickup, drop‑off, and designated mile points to IVMC.

Skills

Vessel navigation

Crew leadership

USCG regulations

Environmental standards

Vessel security

Crew endurance

CDC reporting

Education

High School/GED (preferred)

Job description

Lower Miss Pilot/Captain (25+ barge experience)

Company: American Commercial Barge Line

Location: Traveling on waterways

Job Type: Full-Time

Schedule: 28 Days Onboard, 28 Days Off OR 14 Days Off

Are you an experienced and dedicated Marine Pilot or Captain ready to lead vessels through the picturesque waterways of the Lower Mississippi? Join American Commercial Barge Line and play a pivotal role in ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible navigation.

When you join ACBL, American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) is one of the largest and most diversified marine transportation companies in the U.S. Our legacy of providing the nation with the most economical, safest, and greenest mode of transportation dates back to 1915, when we began moving coal on the Kentucky River. We offer a wide range of career paths in both operations and support services. Whether you are interested in working on the river or in an office, we are always searching for the best of the best to join our ACBL team.

What you will be doing... Your IMPACT

• Navigate vessels safely and efficiently along the Upper Mississippi, Lower Mississippi, Illinois Rivers, and other tributaries, considering factors such as currents, weather conditions, and river traffic.
• Supervise and lead the vessel's crew, ensuring a cohesive and safety‑conscious team.
• Ensure vessels adhere to all federal and local maritime regulations and environmental standards.
• Respond promptly and effectively to navigational challenges and emergencies to protect the vessel, crew, and cargo.
• Maintain accurate logs and records of each voyage, including navigational charts and incident reports.
• Carry out all duties assigned under the Vessel Security Plan as the designated vessel security officer.
• Enforce all Company policies and vessel specific guidelines in support of the Crew Endurance Management System onboard all vessels.
• Report Certain Dangerous Cargoes (CDC) barges at pick‑up, drop‑off, and designated mile points to the Inland River Vessel Movement Center.

What we are looking for...

You will need to have:

• Master of Towing Vessels upon Western Rivers license required
• Must have an Inland Waters or Near Coastal Endorsement
• Must meet USCG physical examination requirements
• Must be able to travel to and from vessel / training locations via air or vehicle.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Ability to work 28 days onboard and 28/14 days off schedule with willingness to work overtime as needed.
• Must be able to work a 6 hours on / 6 hours off watch or 12-hour watches.
• Must have experience pushing 25+ barges on the Lower Miss.
• Must be able to ride in or pilot a crew boat or zodiac to get to/from towing vessel.
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions.
• Must maintain valid USCG licensing.
• Maintain an active TWIC.

Even better if you have:

• Must have experience pushing tows of 25+ barges.
• 4+ years of previous experience.

Reasons you will love working at ACBL ...

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead navigational operations in the heartland of the United States.
• Collaborative and safety-focused work environment
• Well‑maintained and state‑of‑the‑art vessels
• Commitment to environmental stewardship
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
• Employee Assistance Program.

Qualifications

Education: High School/GED (preferred)

Experience: 2 - 4 years: Years of Experience (preferred)

Licenses & Certifications:

• TWIC (required)
• Driver's License (required)

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.