Captain (Shipboard)

Department: Nautical

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Reporting To: Sr Director, Marine

Description

The Captain is the highest-ranking officer onboard, the master of the vessel and has full, over-riding authority to make executive decisions to preserve the safety of life, the yacht and the environment. As such the Captain carries the responsibility for all operations and activities onboard. The Captain commands the vessel with the safety of the yacht, guests, and Ladies and Gentlemen as the highest priority and leads the Guidance Team in operating a safe, secure, environmentally sound, and efficient ship. In doing so, the Captain ensures the Guidance Team has full regard to the Company’s regulations, values, goals and initiatives, and overall commercial, operational, and human resource strategies. As the leader of the Guidance Team, the Captain promotes that all Gold Standards and Brand Culture are embraced by the entire shipboard team at all times, and shall have a visible presence with guests, interacting and communicating as appropriate ensuring the guest experience is second-to-none. 

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 Lady or Gentleman for this job. Functions, duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with the Company's Safety, Quality and Environmental standards.

Essential Duties

1. Assumes responsibility for the day to day safe, secure and environmentally sound operation of the yacht at all times 
2. Under emergency situations, demonstrates effective command of the response, through critical thinking and decisive leadership 
3. Demonstrates commitment to creating a safe working environment through leading the Guidance Team and encouraging a positive safety culture while ensuring the yacht is always operated in accordance with the Company’s Safety Management System 
4. Ensures the Guidance Team and their respective teams give the appropriate priority to items of Public Health, Environment, Safety and Security as well as the satisfaction and experience of our guests and Ladies and Gentlemen 
5. Communicates, Coordinates and Collaborates effectively with ship and shore management 
6. Provides Chief Officer and Nautical Officers with opportunities for developing skills such as maneuvering the yacht. Continuously mentors all Nautical Officers in the fields of BRM and Bridge equipment 
7. Together with the General Manager, Chief Engineer and Chief Officer, leads forward-operational planning for each cruise to identify potential challenges and to maximize efficiency including the appraisal, planning and execution of the voyage, as well as conducting an itinerary and port suitability risk assessments for all ports and itineraries 
8. Verifies the effectiveness of the emergency drill and safety training program, ensuring individual employees and response groups receive regular training 
9. Verifies the maintenance and periodic inspection of the ship’s critical safety and environmental protection appliances and equipment is completed satisfactorily 
10. Ensures that the Chief Officer, as their deputy, is fully aware of all aspects of the yacht’s operation, so that they are able to assume command immediately when required 
11. Prepares, administers and submits to the Company the required reports, including reporting Hazardous Occurrences to the Company and to Port / Coastal States as appropriate 
12. Reports to the Company any comments or suggestions for improvement of Company’s policies, procedures and instructions regarding safety and pollution prevention and reporting to the "Designated Person Ashore" any matter that, in the opinion of the master, could affect the safe operation of the ship or could present a risk of pollution and which requires the assistance of the Company for corrective action 
13. Implements the business and operating budget plans to ensure optimum total guest satisfaction, sales potential and profitability, reviews operating budgets and revenue reports. Analyses established goals and objectives compared to actual results and implements recommendations to achieve all Guidance Team KPIs 
14. Other duties as described and contained within the company’s Safety Management System 
15. Supports newbuild operations to include work in the shipyard as appropriate 

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT 

1. Model and hold others accountable for promoting the Gold Standards, respect and fair treatment 
2. Ensures the Daily execution of Line-up in accordance with company standards and Brand Guidelines 
3. Sets the department’s expectations for desired behavior, knowledge and skill levels 
4. Coaches others by providing constructive feedback; helps others identify developmental needs and monitors progress; promoting an environment where everyone is valued and included 
5. Demonstrates alignment with corporate strategies and initiatives while ensuring alignment throughout the yacht organization 

Qualifications

1. Valid Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and flag certification for the duration of the contract and appropriate to position  
2. Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in command of a luxury vessel 
3. Minimum ten (10) years of experience on cruise ships in worldwide service required 
4. Unlimited Master mariner license 
5. Prior knowledge and experience of newbuild operations preferred 
6. Excellent command of the English language 
7. Proven track record of good ship handling 
8. Commanding presence and ability to lead 
9. Strong executive management skills 
10. Commitment to establish and maintain courteous and professional working relationships in a diverse cultural environment 
    

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The Lady or Gentleman must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• All Yacht Ladies and Gentlemen must be physically able to participate in emergency lifesaving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• All Yacht Ladies and Gentlemen must be able to communicate in the English language in order to understand and interpret written procedures. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests, supervisors and co-workers.