PORT CAPTAIN

Terral Riverservice Inc.; Louisiana; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Terral RiverService, Inc. is seeking an experienced Port Captain to oversee vessel operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain efficient port activities.

This role serves as the liaison between vessel crews, management, and stakeholders to ensure safe and profitable operations. The ideal candidate will have MMC Master of Towing Vessels, USCG credentials, and a track record of leadership, recruitment, and safety program development across inland river operations.

Qualifications

• Must hold MMC with Master of Towing Vessels endorsement for Western Rivers, Inland Waters, and the Great Lakes.
• USCG Medical Certificate required.
• TWIC and Radar Observer endorsement required.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Select, supervise, evaluate and train vessel masters and subordinates.
• Serve as primary liaison between vessel crew and shore side personnel.
• Responsible for maintaining good working relationships with all vessel employees.
• Develop and maintain recruitment and retention programs.
• Assure vessel compliance with all governmental regulations and Company policies.
• Monitor river conditions and make information available to support navigational decisions.
• Respond to vessels emergencies minimizing downtime, providing onsite supervision and direction.
• Make frequent onboard vessel inspections to ensure safe and efficient vessel operations.
• Administer company policies including disciplinary actions.
• Discipline employees up to and including discharge.
• Represent and articulate Company positions to USCG or regulatory agencies.
• Ensure good public relations with local, state and federal agencies.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to enhance safety and efficiency in the operation.
• Conduct performance evaluations and maintain steersman program.
• Comply with the Safety Management System in support of continual improvement and management objectives.
• Responsible for budgetary oversight on a fleet of vessels; accountable for efficient use of company resources.
• Ensure Customer needs are met in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Assist management by providing professional expertise on potential job locations and routes.
• Other duties as assigned (operate vessels, post pilots, etc.).

Skills

Leadership

Vessel operations

Regulatory compliance

Emergency response

Recruitment & training

Budget oversight

Stakeholder communication

Safety management

Education

Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) – Master of Towing Vessels

USCG Medical Certificate

TWIC

Radar Observer endorsement

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

Title: Port Captain

Employment Type: Exempt

Classification: Full Time

Location: Lettsworth, LA

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Port Captain to oversee vessel operations, ensure compliance with maritime regulations, and maintain efficient port activities. The Port Captain will serve as the liaison between the vessel crews, management, and other stakeholders, ensuring safe and effective operations while optimizing performance and profitability.

Essential Job Functions:

• Select, supervise, evaluate and train vessel masters and their subordinates
• Serve as primary liaison between vessel crew and shore side personnel
• Responsible for maintaining good working relationships with all vessel employees
• Develop and maintain recruitment and retention programs
• Assure vessel compliance with all governmental regulations and Company policies
• Monitor river conditions and make available information necessary to support navigational decisions
• Respond to vessels emergencies minimizing vessel down time, providing onsite supervision and direction
• Make frequent onboard vessel inspections to ensure safe and efficient vessel operations are maintained
• Administer company policies including disciplinary actions
• Discipline employees up to and including discharge
• Represent and articulate Company positions in response to USCG or regulatory agency initiatives or proposals impacting navigation or vessel operations (LOMRC, RRVA, etc.)
• Ensure good public relations are maintained with local, state and federal agencies
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to enhance safety and efficiency in the operation
• Conduct performance evaluations and maintain steersman program
• Comply with the Safety Management System in support of continual improvement and management objectives
• Responsible for budgetary oversight on a fleet of vessels. Accountable for efficient and responsible use of company financial resources
• Ensure Customer needs are met in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Assist management by providing professional expertise on potential job locations and routes
• Other duties as assigned (operate vessels, post pilots, etc.)

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment and on a boat setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and fax machines. This job also follows all coast guard rules when on water.

Education and Experience:

• Must hold and maintain a valid Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with a Master of Towing Vessels endorsement for Western Rivers, Inland Waters, and the Great Lakes; a valid USCG Medical Certificate; a valid TWIC; and a current Radar Observer endorsement.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One to two years of related experience desired.
• Must have and maintain a valid/current Driver’s license.
• Must have dependable transportation to designated TRS locations, no exceptions.
• Must be able to work various hours/holidays/weekends.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background and drug screening.

Physical Requirements:

• Must meet "fit for duty" requirements upon job offer (pre-employment physical, drug test, etc.).
• The employee must meet physical requirements including but not limited to, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing up/down ladders and stairs, negotiating uneven and moving surfaces.
• Must be able to work in difficult conditions with exposure to all weather conditions (rain, ice, snow, wind, heat, etc.).
• Must be comfortable working barges.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and work at protected heights up to 40 feet.

Note:

This job description provides a general overview of the typical responsibilities and qualifications for a Port Captain. Actual job requirements may vary based on the specific needs of the organization and industry standards.

About Terral RiverService, Inc:

Terral RiverService (TRS) is a Family-owned business with a continually growing footprint of boats and barges throughout most of the inland waterway system of the US. We specialize in bulk storage, material handling, river, road and rail logistics along the Mississippi River system, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the inland waterways of Louisiana and southern Arkansas. With our growing fleet of push boats, river barges and modern dock operations strategically located throughout the Lower Mississippi River Valley, we are outfitted to transport, handle, and store virtually any commodity needed in the marketplace. TRS has over 600 employees and has operations in multiple states.