Skipper

Role Overview

The Skipper is tasked with ensuring the safe and efficient operation of an assigned Company vessel. This includes the protection of personnel onboard, safeguarding the marine environment, and maintaining vessel security during all maritime activities. The role involves operating pilot boats, speed boats, or other marine crafts to provide essential marine support services such as personnel and pilot transfers, standby roles, emergency responses, and various operational duties. The Skipper must strictly adhere to the Company's policies, Safety Management System (SMS), Port Regulations, and relevant maritime laws internationally and nationally while upholding high standards of service and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee safe navigation and operation of assigned pilot boats, speed boats, work boats, or similar marine crafts.
• Transport pilots, company staff, contractors, visitors, and authorized personnel safely between vessels, offshore sites, and marine facilities.
• Manage safe boarding and disembarking of passengers following company protocols and marine safety best practices.
• Perform pre-departure inspections ensuring operational readiness, appropriate manning, and adequate equipment for assigned tasks.
• Navigate safely using navigation aids including charts, GPS, radar, echo sounder, AIS, and bridge systems.
• Observe International Collision Regulations (COLREGs), port rules, company procedures, and maritime laws diligently.
• Maintain effective communication with Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), Marine Operations, and related parties during operations.
• Accurately document vessel logs, operational records, fuel usage, and voyage details.

Safety, Security, and Environmental Duties

• Ensure onboard personnel safety, security, and welfare.
• Follow and enforce the Company's Safety Management System (SMS), permit to work protocols, risk assessments, and HSE standards.
• Conduct safety briefings, emergency drills, toolbox talks, and onboard training sessions.
• Maintain lifesaving appliances, firefighting equipment, navigation, and emergency gear in readiness condition.
• Report incidents, accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions, and equipment faults as per company guidelines.
• Assist in emergency responses including search and rescue, firefighting, medical emergencies, pollution control, and man overboard situations.

Vessel Upkeep

• Keep the vessel clean, seaworthy, and operationally ready at all times.
• Carry out routine inspections and basic upkeep activities such as cleaning, painting, fender maintenance, and housekeeping.
• Monitor machinery, engines, electrical systems, and navigation instruments, reporting any defects promptly and coordinating with engineering or technical teams.
• Ensure adequate fuel, lubricants, stores, and consumables are available for safe vessel operation.

Oil Spill Preparedness

• Participate actively in oil spill response planning and operations when directed.
• Assist in handling and maintenance of oil spill equipment including containment booms, skimmers, absorbents, and anchors.
• Verify that oil spill response equipment is well-maintained and ready for emergency deployment.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead and coordinate vessel crew activities to guarantee safe and efficient operations.
• Ensure crew compliance with company standards, safety requirements, and operational procedures.
• Foster teamwork, professionalism, and a positive safety culture on board.

Additional Duties

• Carry out other tasks assigned by Marine Superintendent, Operations Supervisor, or company management as needed.
• Be prepared to support emergency operations outside regular working hours, including weekends and holidays.

Qualifications and Experience

• Possess at least a Secondary School Certificate (High School) or equivalent qualification.
• Hold valid STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) certificates compliant with the latest STCW Convention requirements.
• Demonstrate basic English communication skills; proficiency in Arabic is advantageous.
• Have a minimum of 2 years’ relevant seagoing experience as a Skipper or similar marine operational role involving safe navigation and management of pilot boats, speed boats, or work boats.
• Experience must include personnel transfer operations, pilot embarkation/disembarkation, bridge watchkeeping, voyage planning, coastal navigation, vessel handling under various conditions, routine vessel inspections, basic maintenance, defect reporting, operational readiness, and emergency response including man overboard, firefighting, abandon ship, and first aid procedures.