Mate

American Cruise Lines; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) with match

Job summary

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Mates for our U.S. flag fleet to oversee safe vessel operations, mentor deck officers, and uphold regulatory standards across coastal and river routes. Mates report to the Captain and act as professional leaders aboard our ships.

Qualified candidates hold a U.S. Coast Guard Mate’s license with Near Coastal endorsement, TWIC, and relevant river/coastal piloting experience.

Qualifications

• U.S. Coast Guard Mate’s license with Near Coastal endorsement and TWIC required.
• Coastal and river waterways experience: minimum 2 years; 5 years with Z-drive preferred.
• Basic marine engineering knowledge of diesel machinery, hydraulics, and liquid load management.
• Excellent communication skills and team-building abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of passengers, crew, and vessel.
• Operate the vessel in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Conduct daily inspections of all vessel spaces.
• Supervise, lead, and develop deck officers.
• Maintenance and logistics supporting ship operations.
• Crew orientation, training, watch standing, and emergency drills.
• Collaborate with Hotel Officers and Service Crew to deliver five-star guest service.
• Document cleaning, sanitation, maintenance, and logistics activities.
• Lead a safe, secure, clean, and comfortable onboard environment for passengers and crew.

Skills

Excellent communication

Team-building skills

Education

U.S. Coast Guard Mate’s license (100 GRT min, Near Coastal) with TWIC

Job description

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Mates for our U.S. flag fleet. American Cruise Lines cruise along inland and coastal waterways, including the East Coast, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, Cumberland Rivers, and Great Lakes. American Cruise Lines modern vessels accommodate 100 to 200 guests designed for safe navigation and exceptional service.

Mates are senior shipboard officers reporting directly to the Captain and are responsible for safe vessel operations, adherence to company and regulatory standards, and representing the company as a professional leader. Our Mates are experienced mariners with firsthand piloting experience in challenging coastal and river waterways. Our Mates are skilled team and time managers, supervising daily deck teams while also developing piloting expertise on our coastal and river routes. Our Mates are prudent decision‑makers continually reducing risk by keeping our crew tasks ahead of daily and weekly schedules. Our Mates are people‑oriented leaders and meticulous professionals, in service to our guests and as examples to our crews.

Mates enjoy comfortable onboard accommodations and chef prepared meals. American Cruise Lines operates our own bridge simulator, enabling rigorous recurrent training and development focused on critical decision‑making and advanced piloting skills. American Cruise Lines recruits and retains the best professional mariners in the industry.

At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values—Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of passengers, crew, and vessel.
• Operate the vessel in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Conduct daily inspections of all vessel spaces.
• Supervise, lead, and develop deck officers.
• Execution of Vessel cleaning, sanitation, maintenance, and logistics.
• Execution of Crew orientation, training, watch standing, and emergency drills.
• Teamwork with Hotel Officers and Service Crew ensuring five-star guest service.
• Administrative documentation of cleaning, sanitation, maintenance, and logistics.
• Leadership of safe, secure, clean, and comfortable onboard environment for passengers and crew.

Work Schedule

• Typical February through December Cruise Season: 6 weeks on / 3 weeks off. Additional work periods may be possible during winter months.
• This is a full-time, exempt position.

Qualifications

• U.S. Coast Guard Mate’s license: minimum 100 GRT with Near Coastal endorsement; 1,600 GRT preferred. Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Mate experience on coastal and river waterways: minimum 2yrs, desired 5yrs with Z-drive experience.
• Basic marine engineering knowledge of diesel machinery, hydraulics, and liquid load management.
• Excellent communication skills and team-building skills.
• Pre-employment drug test and continual participation in random testing.
• Great Lakes Mate: Route familiarization and recency in all or several areas including: St. Lawrence Seaway, Welland Canal, St. Mary's River, and U.S. port routes in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Essential Functions

• Ships experience forces from wind, waves, and currents, prompting them to exhibit six distinct motions known as ship motions. The six motions are surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw. This position requires the ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment that is subject to constant motion.
• Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
• Ability to assist in the event of an on-board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20” diameter hatch.
• Ability to stand for your entire shift.
• Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
• Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use stairs frequently.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive daily rate.
• Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match.
• Access to advanced simulator-based training.
• Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer

American Cruise Lines is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. American Cruise Lines bases all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to protected characteristics, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin and citizenship, age (40 and over), disability (including perceived disability), generic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment and employment decisions, including, but not limited to, hiring, selection, job assignment, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, and access to benefits.

• Job sites across the nation.
• This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.