Port Captain

Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) was founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt in 2009 with a goal to advance the frontiers of ocean exploration and research through technological advancement, intelligent observation, and open sharing of information. This is achieved by making ship time and associated assets freely available to scientists globally. In exchange, SOI supports public sharing of acquired scientific observations, data, and other information about the ocean to stimulate the growth of data applications and user community and to amplify and enable further exploration, discovery, deeper understanding, and effective conservation and management of our environment.
Port Captain - Job DescriptionPermanent Full-time Professional Staff position based in Woodinville, WA (salaried)

The Port Captain is an integral member of Schmidt Ocean Institute’s (SOI) Maritime Infrastructure Division and part of the shore-based management team responsible for operating the Institute’s Global-Class research vessel Falkor (too). This involves ship management, including oversight of the recruitment and management of vessel crew, shoreside management of interior and deck departments, and assisting with logistics during in-port and shipyard periods, the preparation of budgets, cruise planning, and implementing procedures and documentation to meet regulatory and policy requirements. 

Responsibilities

Crewing

• Ensure the Ship is properly crewed, including oversight of recruitment and termination, interviews, and selection of permanent and temporary crew.
• Serve as shoreside administrative supervisor for permanent and temporary crew, in collaboration with Purser and Operations Associate.
• Shoreside Manager of the Deck and Interior Departments,, in collaboration with Captains.
• Assist Captains and Heads of Department to maintain crew schedules / identify crew change dates.
• Ensure crew have proper training, documentation, and up-to-date and accurate records in collaboration with the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) and Operations Associate.
• Plan and coordinate promotions and permanent positions in collaboration with the Captains and Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure.
• Assist Purser as needed to plan and organize crew arrivals and departures to include entry requirements for foreign countries.
• Create and maintain crew-related policies in collaboration with the DPA.
• Address low to mid-level crew HR issues in collaboration with Captains and Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure and escalate high level HR issues to senior management.
• In collaboration with the DPA, ensure compliance with international maritime crew regulations and SPS Maritime Ltd and SOI policies.
• Maintain a pool of qualified applicants for shipboard positions.
• Actively recruit qualified applicants from global workforce with emphasis on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring practices
• Manage the performance review system and feedback mechanisms for crew.
• Propose and assist SOI Leadership and Captains with initiatives focused on crew recruitment and retention.
• Maintain the crew training and travel budgets.

Port Logistics

• Identify and work with ship agents in ports in collaboration with the Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure.
• Manage shipping needs with crew and scientists in collaboration with the Purchasing and Logistics.
• Assist Purser and Operations Associate as needed to coordinate crew and scientist arrival and departures.
• Work with Operations logistics team to hire shore-based assets such as cranes and forklifts.
• Work with Operations logistics team to ensure port utilities and supplies are arranged (garbage, potable water, sewage, fuel, ships stores, etc.).
• Create and manage in-port schedules in collaboration with the Director of Engineering.
• Assist with logistics and maintenance during in-port and shipyard periods.
• At least once annually visit and inspect the ship with focus on the equipment of the Deck Department and the Interior Department and provide an Inspection Report.

Cruise Planning

• Assist Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure in preparing annual operation schedules, developing operating budgets, and tracking expenditures.
• Assist Science Systems Senior Manager to work with scientists to plan their assigned cruise, including cruise planning documents in the Marine Facilities Planning application.
• Ensure the Ship is capable of conducting the planned work and coordinate with crew to setup the deck(s) appropriately.

Regulatory

• Monitors for and responds to Ship Emergency calls as part of the 24/7 Ship’s Emergency Response Team.
• Work with DPA to ensure all Ship documents are