Jobs and Careers

Licensed Deckhand

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 19 Jun 2026

About the role

WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

JOB SUMMARY

As a Licensed Deckhand with Lindblad Expeditions, you'll do more than maintain ship operations—you’ll help guide guests through some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth. A key part of your role involves operating Zodiacs to safely transport guests between ship and shore, offering them a front-row seat to glaciers, wildlife, and rugged coastlines. Whether navigating the inlets of Southeast Alaska or exploring the warm waters of Baja, you’ll be an essential part of delivering our signature expedition experience.

This position is ideal for someone with a passion for the sea, strong seamanship, and a desire to interact with guests in dynamic, outdoor settings. You’ll work as part of a close-knit Deck team on board one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where safety, teamwork, and curiosity are always top priorities. If you’re ready to combine your maritime skills with unforgettable adventures, we’d love to have you aboard.

WORK SCHEDULE

The Rotational Deckhands works a rotational schedule of approximately 2 months on/1 month off, approximately 12 hours per day.

LIVING CONDITIONS

Crew quarters are compact and shared — you will bunk with one or two roommates for the full duration of your rotation, with minimal personal space. The vessel operates in remote locations with limited or no port access between expeditions, so cell service and internet may be unavailable for extended periods. You must bring a sufficient supply of any prescription medications, as refills cannot be obtained while underway.

This lifestyle suits people who are adaptable, self-sufficient, and genuinely energized by close-knit team environments and remote travel. If those conditions sound like a challenge rather than an adventure, this may not be the right fit.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a physically demanding role performed in a moving marine environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb steep interior stairs repeatedly throughout a 12-hour shift — including during periods of significant vessel motion. The employee must regularly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds. Work rotates continuously across cabin cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, and food service, often without extended breaks. Work is performed in confined spaces and high-humidity environments including the galley.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Ship Maintenance

Sweeps decks, washes windows, keeps vessels free of rust, and empties trash receptacles on a regular basis.
Cleans the public restroom and general interior areas such as bulkheads, lockers, etc.
Primes and paints the vessel as assigned.
Assists Engineering, Hotel, and Expeditions departments as directed by Chief Mate.
Uses chemicals for cleaning and ship maintenance while ensuring personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, respirators, etc. are used correctly.
May be assigned various special projects as per the Chief Mate's work list.

Boat Operations

Handles lines during docking and undocking procedures.
Assigned anchoring duties as needed.
Assists the Bridge Watch Officer with lookout and wheel watch as needed.
Assists with lowering/raising and tying up/ casting off of the inflatable boats and kayaks.
Assists with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.
Assists in driving inflatable boats as directed by Chief Mate.

Safety & Security

Participates in on board safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
Participates in shore side training as required by the company.
Conducts hourly security patrols including inspection of the engine room and lazarette at night.
Serves as needed on gangway