Rotational Deckhand

Lindblad Expeditions; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 30,442 - 31,918; Full time

Job summary

Lindblad Expeditions is seeking a Licensed Deckhand to support ship operations aboard our US-flagged vessels.

You will operate Zodiacs to transport guests, perform deck maintenance, and participate in safety drills while delivering exceptional expedition experiences. This role requires strong seamanship, adaptability, and a customer-focused approach to life at sea.

Qualifications

• Must hold minimum 25 GRT Master License, on Near Coastal Waters.
• Valid TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) required.
• US Passport or US Permanent Resident Card.
• STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) required.

Responsibilities

• Ship Maintenance: clean and maintain decks and interiors; assist in operations as directed by Chief Mate.
• Boat Operations: handle lines, assist with inflatable boats and guest loading.
• Safety & Security: participate in safety drills and emergency procedures; conduct hourly security patrols.

Skills

Seamanship

Guest interaction

Safety awareness

Job description

Who We Are

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we now take almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and we are committed to ensuring our guests experience the "Exhilaration of Discovery".

Job Summary

As a Licensed Deckhand with Lindblad Expeditions, you’ll do more than maintain ship operations—you’ll help guide guests through some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth. A key part of your role involves operating Zodiacs to safely transport guests between ship and shore, offering them a front‑row seat to glaciers, wildlife, and rugged coastlines. Whether navigating the inlets of Southeast Alaska or exploring the warm waters of Baja, you’ll be an essential part of delivering our signature expedition experience. This position is ideal for someone with a passion for the sea, strong seamanship, and a desire to interact with guests in dynamic, outdoor settings. You’ll work as part of a close‑knit Deck team on board one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where safety, teamwork, and curiosity are always top priorities. If you’re ready to combine your maritime skills with unforgettable adventures, we’d love to have you aboard.

Work Schedule

The Rotational Deckhand works a rotational schedule of approximately 2 months on/1 month off, approximately 12 hours per day.

Living Conditions

Crew quarters are compact and shared—you will bunk with one or two roommates for the full duration of your rotation, with minimal personal space. The vessel operates in remote locations with limited or no port access between expeditions, so cell service and internet may be unavailable for extended periods. You must bring a sufficient supply of any prescription medications, as refills cannot be obtained while underway. This lifestyle suits people who are adaptable, self‑sufficient, and genuinely energized by close‑knit team environments and remote travel. If those conditions sound like a challenge rather than an adventure, this may not be the right fit.

Physical Demands

This physically demanding role is performed in a moving marine environment. The employee is required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb steep interior stairs repeatedly throughout a 12‑hour shift—including during periods of significant vessel motion—and must regularly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds. Work rotates continuously across cabin cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, and food service, often without extended breaks. Work is performed in confined spaces and high‑humidity environments including the galley.

Essential Duties

Ship Maintenance

• Sweeps decks, washes windows, keeps vessels free of rust, and empties trash receptacles on a regular basis.
• Cleans the public restroom and general interior areas such as bulkheads, lockers, etc.
• Primes and paints the vessel as assigned.
• Assists Engineering, Hotel, and Expeditions departments as directed by Chief Mate.
• Uses chemicals for cleaning and ship maintenance while ensuring personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, respirators, etc. are used correctly.
• May be assigned various special projects as per the Chief Mate's work list.

Boat Operations

• Handles lines during docking and undocking procedures.
• Assigned anchoring duties as needed.
• Assists the Bridge Watch Officer with lookout and wheel watch as needed.
• Assists with lowering/raising and tying up/casting off of the inflatable boats and kayaks.
• Assists with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.
• Assists in driving inflatable boats as directed by Chief Mate.

Safety & Security

• Participates in onboard safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
• Participates in shore side training as required by the company.
• Conducts hourly security patrols including inspection of the engine room and lazarette at night.
• Serves as needed on gangway watch.
• Familiar with all duties under the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response activities.

Additional Duties

• Loads/off‑loads guest luggage.
• Hauls ship's trash, laundry, and stores as needed.
• Pulls, cleans and replaces the galley mats, cleans the galley deck and washes any used galley rags.
• Assists in the training of new rotational and/or seasonal deckhands.

To Be Considered – You Must Already Have

• Minimum 25 GRT Master License, Upon Near Coastal Waters
• Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• Valid US Passport or US Permanent Resident Card with valid passport
• STCW Basic Safety Training (BST)

Required Licenses/Certifications Provided By Lindblad

• USCG Medical Certificate
• STCW Crowd Management (CM)
• STCW Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VPDSD)
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification

Desired Qualifications

• Must have experience driving Zodiacs or similar small vessels using a tiller outboard motor
• Mechanical aptitude and interest.
• Maritime/boating experience preferred.
• Good customer service skills; professional demeanor, ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy.
• Detail oriented and thorough; able to follow through on assigned tasks.
• Able to work independently using initiative and creativity to complete assigned tasks.
• Strong time management skills; able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Works well under pressure.
• Ability to get along well with co‑workers and support a team environment.

Employment Conditions

• In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post‑offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.
• Pre‑offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.
• Post‑offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty.

Lindblad Expeditions highly recommends that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID‑19. All crew must still comply with all country‑specific vaccination requirements.

Communication Skills

Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate—both in writing and orally—with a professional demeanor.

Compensation Statement

Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry‑specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living. For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.
Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Compensation Breakdown

$165–$173 base daily rate + $50 guaranteed minimum in gratuities. Any tips earned above the $50 minimum are yours to keep.