Jobs: Z-Drive Master Captain (Ocean Towing)

Z-Drive Master Captain (Ocean Towing)

Foss Maritime

Seattle, Washington, United States (On-Site)

15 August 2023

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Description

Position: Master Captain 

Location:  Seattle Marine  

Department: Ocean Fleet 

Schedule:  45-60 day rotations (Est 180 per year) 

Reports to:  Port Captain 

Pay Range: $135k – $150k (est for 160-180 sea days annually) (EXCLUDES COVERED TRAVEL COSTS) 

Recruiter contact:  Christine Mulcahy  cmulcahy@foss.com    904-752-0115.

Get to Know Us: Foss Maritime is a pioneer in ocean towing, providing marine transportation services for more than 130 years.  Foss can transport virtually any cargo by barge in environmentally sensitive areas as well as in regions with severe weather hazards. The Foss Maritime Ocean fleet offers point-to-point towing anywhere in the world, with some of the most advanced and powerful tugs in the industry. 

When Thea Foss started her company by purchasing a single rowboat in Tacoma, Washington in 1889, she hardly could have imagined that the humble enterprise would grow into one of the world’s leading tug and barge operations. Thea had a talent for marketing, and she painted a sign on the roof of the Tacomaboathouse advertising that theenterprise was “Always Ready” to rent rowboats. That sign is the root of Foss Maritime’s mottos, which remains an important component of the company’s brand today. “Always Safe. Always Ready.” 

As we look to the future, we are excited for what lies ahead and believe our experience will serve us well, particularly with regard to resource development in the offshore wind market and other regions of the world. 

What We Offer our Hardworking Mariners:  

At Foss, we recognize that our employees are the foundation of our company and of our success. 

We value and respect the individuals that make up the Foss family and are proud to have one of the industry’s highest records for employee longevity. 

• Medical, Dental & Vision Options 
• Employer Funded HSA Account option 

• 401(k) with employer match 
• Paid Time Off  
• Short Term Disability 
• Long Term Disability Benefits 
• Life Insurance & AD&D Insurance 

• Paid holidays  
• Tuition & training reimbursement 
• Advancement opportunities 
• Family support services 
• Employee wellness reimbursements 
• Equity & inclusion 

–A Saltchuk Company

OUR VISION

To be a family of the best towage companies in North America. 

OUR MISSION

To provide maritime services without equal and unsurpassed customer service. We achieve this through:

• A steadfast focus on our customers’ needs and preferences in everything we do
• Relentless continuous improvement – Safety, Operations, Compliance
• Continuing to extend and expand our operations – with the goal to be competitive globally
• Developing our world class workforce by fostering an environment of mutual trust and respect.

OUR CORE VALUES

Foss Maritime is committed to providing our customers with world-class marine services.  To achieve this stance of Operational Excellence, we are dedicated to the Foss core values that emphasize safety and quality:

• Safety of people
• Integrity
• Continual Improvement
• Quality Workplace
• Stewardship of Resources
• Custodian of the Environment
• Community Minded

Foss is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a diverse workforce and taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. Foss Maritime is a registered Federal Contractor, participates in e-verify and annual certification of our Affirmative Action Plans on the OFCCP Contractor Portal.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Foss is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact HR@foss.com.

Foss is a drug-free employer with a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy aligned with DOT/USCG requirements.

Requirements

Summary of Position: The primary responsibility and authority for the execution of all vessel assignments including, but not limited to, planning the most efficient and safe operation of the vessel and its crew, implementing the operating plan in a cost-effective manner, and evaluating and reporting the results. It is the responsibility of all Masters to ensure compliance with policies and procedures, requirements and documentation in the Foss Safety Management System Manual (SMS). Masters have the specific obligation to ensure that all personnel assigned to vessels are provided with information, instructions and directions necessary for meeting the program objectives of safety, environmental protection and quality service through knowledgeable and competent execution of assigned tasks. Stands two, four-hour watches, 8 hour -off rotations in a twenty-four hour period. 

Qualifications 

• THREE TO FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE OPERATING TUGS WITH ASD / Z-DRIVE PROPULSION. 
• Three to Five years vessel experience as a Mate or Captain on towing vessel in international waters 
• Must have a valid USCG Merchant Mariner Document or Merchant Mariner Credential. 
• Must have a minimum USCG 1600 GT National Master upon Oceans License with Mate of Towing Vessels upon Oceans and STCW 2010. 

• Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). 
• Valid U.S. Passport and able to travel internationally, including Canada, without restrictions. 
• Valid state driver’s license. 
• Able to work weekends, holidays, and at night. Completion of a pre-employment physical and drug test, or proof of approved CG-719k or DOT Drug Testing Program letter within the last six months. 

Essential Functions 

• Ensures safe navigation of the vessel at all times. 
• Conducts required drills, training, safety meetings and maintains records of such, per company policy. 
• Conducts and ensures compliance with vessel maintenance and inspection requirements as prescribed by the company. 
• Inspects vessel to ensure conformance with safety standards and maritime regulations. 

• Work closely with customers, pilots and appropriate government agencies to ensure the proper performance of the job. 
• Ensures prompt and accurate reporting of all equipment failures, illnesses, incidents, accidents and damages. 
• Maintains current knowledge of all maritime laws. 
• Directs and supervises crew members in safe and productive operation of the vessel, its machinery and equipment. 
• Holds crew accountable for their adherence to maritime law, company policies and procedures, and their individual performance/productivity. 

• Evaluate all crewmembers in accordance with Company policy and take action as necessary. 
• Using coaching and delegation to empower employees and take corrective action when needed. 
• Encourage career development and job skills training. 
• Plans, organizes information, defines, and prioritizes tasks and develops resources to meet organizational goals. 
• Develop excellent communication skills to communicate effectively with contractors and customers. 

• Translate information received from contractors and customers into Marine Operations using sound decisions. 
• Knowledge of equipment – what is the job at hand and what equipment is best suited to handle the job. 
• Assist with inspection of Tugs; ensure compliances and learning the Foss SMS/ ISM/VMS. 
• Pay attention to the schedule and learn how to make decisions that will ultimately complete jobs, as per customers request and on time. 
• Being aware of crewing issues and dealing with continuous change. 

• Proper procedures for dealing with emergency situations, the decisions that need to be made based on what needs to be done, including the notifications that are essential and must be completed. 
• Communicate with shoreside management, Fleet Monitoring Center, vessel agents, pilots and dispatch  

Safety 

• Responsible for taking appropriate action to correct any unusual or unsafe conditions 
• Report Near Miss Hazard Observations 
• Conduct and log Job Safety Analysis (JSA’s) 
• and adhere to Foss Drug and Alcohol program and policy 

• Report vessel and employee incidents including injury and illness 
• Participate in incident investigation 
• Carry out all required drills. 

Miscellaneous 

• Submit and approve timecard 
• Must complete and be signed off on the appropriate sections of Foss form 23 
• Completes annual training requirements 
• Responsible for monthly reports to be submitted to shoreside management 

• Reviews and updates Vessel Maintenance System as assigned 
• Performs special duties and other projects as assigned 
• Adheres to all company policies 
• Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested 

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Strong maritime background with a thorough understanding of vessel operations and equipment capabilities/limitations 
• Ability to deviate from established routines on short notice and be able to recognize the level of importance of new assignments 
• Market conditions change continually and without warning; as a result, demands on the vessel and crew can range from intermittently high requiring around the clock operations to relatively passive 
• Thorough knowledge of vessel handling and navigational skills commensurate with operating assignments 

• A team player but at the same time be willing to exercise authority when required 
• Motivate employees and to earn and obtain their committed effort 
• Strong decision making and problem-solving abilities 
• Work independently without direct supervision 
• Experience with a Vessel Maintenance System 

• Ability to work a varied work schedule 
• Prioritize tasks accordingly to meet deadlines without sacrificing operational quality 
• Good negotiating skills to deal with regulators, customers, vendors and labor union personnel. 
• Reads/interprets technical data, specifications, and drawings 
• Read, speak, and understand English over email, telephone and/or radio 

• Possess strong written and oral communicative skills. 
• Knowledge of computers, office equipment, navigation instruments and vessel machinery 
• Basic computer skills with knowledge in Windows based programs such as Outlook, Excel and Word preferred. 

Working Conditions:   

Crew members live-aboard and work for 45 – 60 days at a sea, in close quarters, with contact with other crewmembers. Ocean voyages encounterexposure to all weather conditions (rain, ice, snow, heat, wind, etc.) including rough seas. 

Physical/Mental Demands:  

• Sitting: Sits to complete logs and reports, operate navigation of vessel 

• Balancing: Balances continuously on vessel in various sea and weather conditions, cross gangways, climb stairs and ladders 
• Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling: Kneels, crouches, and crawls to pick up tools and perform checks, repairs, and general maintenance of machinery, crawl through hatches and confined spaces of vessel 
• Twisting/Reaching: Twists and reaches around equipment to operate navigational controls,perform deck work and equipment repairs 
• Standing/Walking: Stands/walks while performing work and repairs, maneuver through vessel, climb ladders and stairs 
• Handling/Fingering: Handles/fingers operating computers, writing/documenting vessel logs, using hand tools, hand-held power tools, and parts 

• Eye-Hand-Foot Coordination: Coordinates movements to operate vessel controls and equipment 
• Vision: 20/40 correctable vision in each eye to work with equipment, computers, monitors, and radar, maps, and ocean/harbor vessel traffic. Color vision is required to distinguish color-coded systems, navigational signage, computer screens, and illuminated 
• Pushing/Pulling/Lifting/Carrying (up to 50 pounds): Pushes, pulls, lifts, and carries supplies, machinery up to 50 pounds 

Position Content:  This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, working conditions associated with the positions.  While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, these requirements may change over time.  Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. 

Job Information

• Job ID: 67925555
• Workplace Type: On-Site
• Location:
  Seattle, Washington, United States
• Company Name For Job: Foss Maritime
• Position Title: Z-Drive Master Captain (Ocean Towing)
• Job Category: Management
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Job Duration: Indefinite
• Min Education: H.S. Diploma/Equivalent
• Min Experience: 3-5 Years
• Required Travel: 75-100%
• Salary: 135,000.00 – 150,000.00 US Dollars (Yearly Salary)

Foss Maritime

Transportation / Shipping

Seattle , Washington , United States

Since 1889, Foss Maritime has set the standard for marine transportation with leading edge technology, engineering, and shipbuilding. Whether it’s solving transportation challenges in remote parts of the world or efficiently handling everyday harbor jobs, Foss Maritime combines a global reach with local expertise, and prides itself on always offering customers safe and innovative solutions.

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