Deck and Safety Asset Director

The Deck and Safety Asset Director is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the strategic management, operational readiness, and regulatory compliance of all deck and safety-related assets, including intact and damage stability across the fleet. This position ensures that all ships maintain the highest standards of safety, stability and reliability of the related assets, in alignment with international maritime regulations and company policies. 

Essential Functions:

• Lead the lifecycle management of all deck and safety equipment across the fleet, including firefighting systems, mooring gear, watertight and fire screen doors, and lifesaving appliances such as lifeboats, davits, life rafts, Marine Evacuation Systems, and personal flotation devices. Develop and execute fleet-wide safety strategies, preventive maintenance programs, and asset renewal plans to ensure optimal performance, regulatory compliance, and the highest standards of maritime safety.
• Act as the subject matter expert on deck and safety systems and stability, providing authoritative guidance on regulatory compliance, asset performance in corporation working groups, ship and office audits. Act as a key advisor to senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and shipboard personnel, ensuring informed decision-making and alignment with industry best practices. Accountable for developing and implementing preventive and corrective action plans for audit findings, SRNC(Self Reported Non Conformities), and internal and IAG Investigations. Ensure compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code, and classification society requirements.            
• Lead the strategic planning and execution of ship growth initiatives, including the coordination of lightship surveys and inclining experiments. Oversee weight control and preliminary stability assessments for each vessel during dry dock periods, ensuring accurate evaluation and safe integration or removal of deck and safety assets in alignment with regulatory and operational standards.
• Lead the development, management, and oversight of the annual budget for deck and safety assets, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, lifecycle planning, and operational needs.
• Maintain full accountability for cost control, and forecasting for the deck and safety assets, while identifying opportunities for efficiency, innovation, and long-term value creation across the fleet.
• Coordinates with the AVP of New Building on all deck and safety matters including providing feedback to the New Building team from the ships in service, to enable modifications/improvements to be implemented to prevent repeated defects/deficiencies on subsequent vessels. Coordinates with the Fleet Directors for the preparation of plans for modification/updates, to be implemented on existing vessels due to new Safety Regulations coming into force and obsolescence of equipment. Collaborate with shipboard leadership, technical teams to ensure alignment and standardization, as well as efficient execution of the maintenance of the onboard assets.  
• Lead strategic oversight of vendor partnerships and procurement operations related to deck and safety systems. Direct the evaluation, inspection, and continuous improvement of safety-critical equipment, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations and alignment with the company’s safety standards.  
• Oversee the analysis of safety performance metrics and incident reports to identify trends, root causes, and areas for improvement. Champion data-driven strategies that enhance operational safety, reduce risk exposure, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the fleet.                                     

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering or equivalent
• Master’s Degree a Plus
• 10+ years or relevant experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing deck and safety operations
• Experience with Passenger Ship operations. 
• Proven experience managing large-scale budgets and vendor relationships       

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• In-depth understanding of SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code, and other relevant international maritime safety and environmental regulations.
• Familiarity with classification societies, flag state regulations, and port state control requirements.
• Strong grasp of shipboard safety systems, navigational operations, and lifecycle management of deck and safety equipment.
• Understanding