Location: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

City/State: Galveston, TX

Relocation: No relocation offered for this position

Classification: Non-Exempt

Pay: $34 - $43 per hour, depending on experience and licenses/certifications

Cardinal Point Captains, Inc. (CPC) is seeking an experienced and qualified individual to serve as a Captain for vessel support services to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS), located offshore from Galveston, TX. The vessel field season typically spans from April through mid-October.  If serving in a full-time capacity, 40 hours of work/week are available outside the field season. If in a part-time status, there may be work prior to April and after October, if desired.

FGBNMS operates and maintains the 83’ Research Vessel (R/V) MANTA as the primary offshore platform for Coastal Texas to conduct scientific research, monitoring, exploration, drilling, education and outreach. Additionally, the 15’ skiff is utilized as an additional platform for dive tending. The vessels are home ported at Texas A&M at Galveston.  All vessel staff are required to maintain a professional demeanor and work closely and collegially to support scientists, natural resources managers, and educators working onboard the vessel.  

Work days are typically based on a twelve-hour day when underway and an eight-hour day when alongside. Project cruises will be scheduled in advance, but the Captain must be flexible to work within weather windows and be available for emergency responses (i.e. hurricane evacuation).  

The Captain carries out the following vessel operations and maintenance support services:

1. Comply with USCG and NOAA policies and regulations for underway operations for research, training, conservation, education, outreach, maritime heritage, law enforcement, intra/inter-agency partnership trips, etc. 

2. Ensure the safe navigation and mechanical operation of the vessel. conduct an Operational Risk Assessment with crew members and VOC prior to getting underway and cancel operations if risks cannot be reduced to a level that will ensure the safe and successful outcome of the mission, 

3. Exercise prudent judgment at all times. Be willing, able and capable of responding to shipboard emergencies.

4. Prepare float plans, risk assessments, cruise plans and checklists and document vessel-related activities, including information pertaining to safety, training, operations, maintenance, inspections and the safe navigation of the vessel 

5. Supervise the mobilization and demobilization of the vessel prior to each cruise, including cleaning, stocking provisions, laundry, and necessary scientific equipment such as dive gear, ensuring gas banks, and SCUBA tanks are filled prior to departure.

6. Conduct periodic fire, man overboard, and abandon ship drills, assist in inspecting and repair or replace as needed safety equipment and comply with safety stand-downs and corrective actions.

7. If requested, assist in maintaining a marine operations budget and financial ledger of expenditures and obligations for all vessels and marine facilities, and help develop operations procedures and protocols.

8. Provide the necessary vessel corrective action, preventative maintenance, and provide materials, if required, to support the safe operation of the research vessels. Support emergent repairs to all FGBNMS small boats and pier if/when required and provide oversight and technical support during shipyard as well as repair and planning periods.

9. Coordinate engineering work, as needed, requiring certified technical assistance from engineer contractors, naval architects, electricians, and marine surveyors, if required. 

10. Supervise and operate all on board deck equipment, supervise and deploy the skiff for dive (operate and maintain AIR and NITROX compressors) and emergency use and supervise and operate over the side deployments of scientific equipment.

11. Assist with the coordination of a wide variety of arrangements, including cooking, fueling, and staging scientific gear, as well as the delivery of repair parts, galley stores, and supplies dependent on the particular size of a vessel and mission requirements. 

12. Provide and coordinate annual vessel/crew schedules and work packages. to ensure a full complement of crew is available for each deployment and nsure current training for vessel operators and crewmembers. 

13. Represent FGBNMS in vessel-related intra and inter-agency meetings and partnerships, as necessary.

14. Operate other similar NOAA vessels as requested.

· Holds a current 100-Gross Ton USCG Master License (Near Coastal or Ocean required) or higher.

· Hold or obtain (within 30 days) a 40 Hr. ECDIS STCW that meets the Table A-II/1, Table A-II/2 and Table A-II/3 of the STCW Code, Per the Small Boat Program SRV Operator requirements.

· 3-5 years of experience working on NOAA vessels, similar research vessels or government law enforcement vessels embarked with scientific personnel.

· Must have experience directing and overseeing complex at-sea operations; experience in operating overhead load handling equipment such as winches, cranes, A-Frames, and davit.

· Experience in maintaining and operating (NITROX) dive high- and low-pressure compressors and fill (NITROX) SCUBA tanks.

· Able to qualify for a NOAA Small Boat Component Course certificate within first 30 days on site.

· Ability to obtain or currently hold an Operator in Charge (OIC) authorization for R/V MANTA within 30 days of hire.

· Ability to obtain or currently hold a NOAA approved Bloodborne Pathogens course certification.

· Familiar with aluminum boat hull, electrical and mechanical routine ship maintenance and repairs.

· Must be able to lift and carry equipment and gear up to seventy-five (75) pounds to assist in mobilization.

· Current valid driver’s license and first Aid, CPR and AED certifications.

· Higher level USCG License and/or Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers approved training (i.e. Medical Person in Charge, Shipboard Medical Provider) may be required on site.

AAP/EEO Statement 

CPC is an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.