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Job description

Skippering a vessel entails ultimate responsibility for the safety of all passengers and crew, navigating using charts and Global Positioning System, complying with maritime laws, and managing vessel operations. Key duties include conducting risk assessments, monitoring weather, maintaining equipment, communicating via radio, and making critical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Safety & Compliance: Ensuring the safety of everyone on board, adhering to regulations, and managing risk.
• Navigation & Operation: Safely piloting the vessel, plotting courses, and monitoring weather and sea conditions.
• Maintenance & Technical: Overseeing the vessel's technical condition, maintenance, and repairs.
• Leadership & Management: Managing the crew, conducting safety briefings, and making decisions in emergencies.
• Documentation: Maintaining the logbook, recording safety checks, and managing required paperwork.
• Hospitality: Ensuring a positive, enjoyable atmosphere for guests.
• Supervising the deck as required, loading, off-loading and carriage of all vehicles and passengers to ensure that all loading and off-loading procedures are carried out in a safe and efficient manner
• and in accordance with Maritime and Coastguard Agency requirements and instructions, and procedures issued by Ferry Management.
• The number of passengers on each sailing is to be counted by the loader and must be transmitted on the passenger counting system before each sailing.
• Ensure that a range of checks are carried out at the start and end of the shift and as directed by the Ferry Manager.
• Assist the Shift Manager and other crew members in the day-to-day operation of the vessel including de-berthing and mooring.
• Assist with passenger control, withdrawal of service procedures etc. and any other general duties required for the care of the vessels and the safe and efficient operation of the service.
• Liaise with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and local services. Deal with customer related issues providing advice to crew as required.
• Responsibility for health and safety and maintaining crew discipline in the absence of shift manager.
• Participate fully in safety drills as required by management. Retain and be familiar with all safety instructions and operational procedures issued from time to time by Ferry Management and put these into practice as the situation demands.
• All crew are responsible for the safety of other crew members and passengers.
• Assist with day to day management of ferry operations in the absence of the shift manager.
• Complete all paperwork in a clear and concise manner as required by management.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must hold, by the closing date for applications: A Tier 1 Level 2 Boatmaster’s licence, with large passenger vessel endorsement suitable for the operation of the Strangford Ferry, or an equivalent UK Boatmasters Licence.
• AND A minimum of 1 years’ experience of skippering a ferry.
• AND A valid ML5 medical certificate, which allows candidates to fulfill the duties of the role in full.

Further Information

Location: Strangford Ferry Terminal. NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 24th July 2026 at 12 noon. Please Note: This is generic and may change from competition to competition. Applications from young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC327252)