Chief Mate

Lindblad Expeditions is the pioneer in the Expedition Travel space, from taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, to opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, to leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, to launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004. Now taking nearly 25,000 guests per year to some of the world's most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 16 ships, we do whatever it takes to ensure our guests experience the "Exhilaration of Discovery".

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Mate supervises, trains and coordinates activities of the deck force (4 deckhands, 1

boatswain), and is responsible for assisting with the vessel's piloting, navigation, safety, security, first

aid, cleanliness, and small boat operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assumes command of the ship in the event the Captain becomes incapacitated.
• Acts as vessel's Security Officer, First Aid Officer, and Safety Officer.
• Inspects the vessel for overall cleanliness, including engine room, deck areas, crew quarters, windows
and exterior hull.
• Prepares vessel for and attends all U.S. Coast Guard annual dry docks and inspections. Assists with
annual USCG COI inspections.
• Assists with onboard USCG drug and alcohol testing.
• Works in conjunction with other departments regarding projects aboard the vessel.
• Maintains professional demeanor with guests, crew, staff, agents, officials and the public.
• Participates in guest activities and public relations such as recaps, dining with guests, etc. as directed by
the Captain.
• Maintains deck supply inventories and requisitions.
• Exhibits an aptitude and enthusiasm for training and managing inexperienced crewmembers.
• Trains deck force in skills needed to perform docking, anchoring, watch duties, safety and routine ship
maintenance.
• Directs the deck force and handles communications between bridge, crew and dock personnel during
docking procedures.
• Supervises crew engaged in cleaning and maintaining deck, superstructure, and bridge of ship.
• Reviews and updates watch and duty work lists.
• Evaluates and documents the performance of the deck force as directed in performance appraisal
guidelines.

Watch Duty:

• Assumes responsibility for bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods. Determines
geographical position of the ship, using all available means such as GPS, radar ranges, visual
observations, depth sounders, etc.
• Makes necessary entries in navigation and radio logs.
• Handles the vessel (as directed by the Captain) in docking, anchoring, piloting, en route, in close quarters
and open sea conditions.
• Navigates vessel to ensure avoidance of marine hazards such as reefs, outlying shoals, shallow waters,
• etc. using aids to navigation such as lights, lighthouses, and buoys.

Small Boat Operations:

• Operates crane for lowering inflatable boats, kayaks, gangways and other expedition gear.
• Drives inflatable boats as needed.
• Assists with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.

Safety and Security:

• Follows company safety and pollution prevention policies and procedures and requests supervisory
assistance/guidance when necessary.
• Directs crew in emergency drills. Plans and conducts onboard safety training and drills as directed by the
• Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
• Performs gangway watch as directed by the duty schedule.
• Maintains and administers vessel preventive maintenance plan and safety training program.
• Ensures crew are trained in the use of personal protective equipment.
• Participates in shore side training as required by the company.
• Maintains familiarity with the ISM Code and requirements.
• Ensures compliance with the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response
activities.
• Ensures compliance with all Vessel General Permit regulations.
• Completes all necessary Bridge log entries and maintains Company's electronic preventative
maintenance program records. Completes Investigation and Non-Conformity Reports as necessary.
• Responsible for the Vessel Security Plan and participating in regular security audits.

Medical:

• Acts as First Aid Officer for all guests, crew and staff medical needs. Liaison with ship's doctor on
• International voyages. Liaison with Seattle Office for crew medical issues. Facilitates emergency
medevacs.
• Maintains first aid kits and medical supplies on board.
• Maintains the ship's medical and G.I. logs.
• Completes all guest, crew and staff injury/illness reports. Assists Captain with ensuring injured/ill guests
and crew medical treatment. Follows all regulations pertaining to GI outbreaks onboard.
• Ensures proper handling and disposal of biohazards.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises Deckhands in daily vessel operations including vessel maintenance, boat operations, docking,
undocking and anchoring.
• Supervises Boatswain in maintenance and operations of vessel's rescue and inflatable boats.
• Trains employees, assigns and directs work, monitors performance, rewards and disciplines employees,
addresses complaints and resolves problems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience operating port-to-port in Southeast Alaska, the Snake and Columbia Rivers, in the Gulf of
• California, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama (including the Panama Canal).
• Mate experience on passenger-carrying vessels, including supervisory responsibility and social
interaction with guests.
• Excellent crisis management skills; ability to act quickly with confidence while exercising sound
judgement.
• Strong time management skills; able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Good customer service skills: professional demeanor, ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy.
• Personal computer experience: MS Windows applications, and Excel spreadsheet experience.

Communication Skills:

• Communicates effectively in both one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other
employees.
• Excellent written English language skills, with the ability to prepare documents and reports in a timely
manner.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to perform voyage planning and navigational calculations.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only
• limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral,
• diagram or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Minimum 100 Ton Near Coastal U.S. Coast Guard Masters License required.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification required.
• Valid TWIC card required.
• Valid US Passport required.
• STCW Basic Safety Training required.
• STCW Security Officer Certificate required.
• STCW First Aid Provider preferred.
• STCW Crowd Management preferred.
• Radar Observer endorsement preferred.
• GMDSS Restricted Operators License preferred.
• Advanced Fire Fighting Certification preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands are described in the Chief Mate Job Analysis sheet and are available to all
applicants.

WORK SCHEDULE:

• The Chief Mate works a rotational schedule: approximately 6 weeks on, 6 weeks off. Daily 12-hour shifts
are comprised of approximately two 4-hour watches, plus 4 hours of administrative and supervisory
activities and small boat operations.

$323.40 - $397.10 a day

Target salary range listed is based on experience/vessel and reflects the total daily compensation.

Breakdown of the total compensation range: $294- $361 base daily rate + 10% vacation pay

Bonus opportunity target: 10%

- 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. 

Vacation Pay (10% of the daily rate for each day worked)

7 Paid Holidays

Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision  

401(k) plan with employer match  

Room and board when scheduled

Travel Day Pay

Travel Expenses Paid

Travel benefits for employees and their family  

Uniforms Provided

Training Opportunities

Short Pay

Emergency Coverage Pay

Employment is contingent on the following:

- 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. 

Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.

Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend 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.

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. 

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.  The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.