River Pilot

American Cruise Lines; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with match

Travel, room, and board covered

Travel and lodging covered

Job summary

A premier cruise company is seeking Nav Mate Pilots to ensure the safe operation of their vessels across U.S. waterways. You will be responsible for vessel operations, safety, and compliance while leading the crew in delivering exceptional guest service. Candidates should hold a U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license (minimum 100T) and possess strong communication skills. This full-time role offers competitive compensation and various benefits, including travel, room, and board coverage.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience on coastal and river waterways, desired 5 years with Z-drive experience.
• Ability to perform essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
• Pre-employment drug test and continual participation in random testing.
• Excellent communication and team-building skills.
• Pre-employment drug test and continual random testing.
• Ability to perform essential functions with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of passengers, crew, and vessel.
• Operate the vessel in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Execute prudent maneuvering, docking, locking, and anchoring.
• Conduct daily inspections of all vessel spaces.
• Maintain logs, reports, and administrative records.
• Support hotel and culinary teams in delivering five-star guest service.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Team-building skills

Decision-making

Education

U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license: minimum 100T

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Tools

TWIC access

Job description

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

Nav Mates are senior shipboard watch officers responsible for safe vessel operations, adherence to company and regulatory standards, and representing the company as a professional leader. American Cruise Lines Nav Mates are experienced mariners with firsthand piloting experience in challenging coastal and river waterways. Our Nav Mates are prudent decision-makers continually assessing potential risk weeks, days, and hours ahead of the vessel and crew. Our Nav Mates are meticulous professionals, in service to our guests and as examples to our crews.

Nav 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.

Execute prudent maneuvering, docking, locking, and anchoring.

Conduct daily inspections of all vessel spaces.

Maintain logs, reports, and administrative records

Support hotel and culinary teams in delivering five-star guest service.

Work Schedule

• Typical March through November Cruise Season: 6 weeks on / 3 weeks off or 4 weeks on / 4 weeks off. Additional work periods may be possible during winter months aboard the few vessels operating or repositioning year-round.
• This is a full-time, exempt position.

Qualifications

• U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license: minimum 100T, desired 1600T or greater.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Experience on coastal and river waterways: min 2yrs, desired 5yrs with Z-drive experience.
• Excellent communication skills and team-building skills.
• Pre-employment drug test and continual participation in random testing.
• 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.

Applicant Acknowledgment
By proceeding to apply for the above position, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the description of the job position for which I am applying, I agree that it accurately reflects the essential functions of the position, and I represent that I can complete the essential functions of the position.

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.