Captain - Marine Operations

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. City Cruises UK is part of the City Experiences division of the Hornblower Group, offering public dining and sightseeing cruises as well as private charters for corporate events, birthday parties, weddings, or other special occasions across London and York.

As a Captain, you will bring knowledge of vessel maintenance and interpersonal skills to our team. In return, we are keen to support you in developing your career in the tourism industry and provide you the opportunity to be part of an active social culture and a great team!

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure Company standards in terms of safety so our passengers remain safe and enjoy their experience on the River Thames.
• Comply with SMS regulations and ensure crew onboard follow and comply with these regulations and that all documentation is maintained and kept current.
• Provide onboard safety training for all crew members when required.
• Navigate vessels on the River Thames safely in accordance with the Company’s passenger plan and PLA by-laws.
• Ensure safe mooring of the vessels at all times with extreme caution when embarking and disembarking passengers.
• Provide a vessel safety announcement after leaving each pier to comply with Company SMS.
• Conduct a safety crew briefing before commencing service to the public.
• Account for and safely embark and disembark passengers from recognised locations along the River Thames.
• Carry out daily vessel log checks in conjunction with the SMS procedures with specific attention to all safety equipment and engines.
• Report any maintenance checks or incidents as per the Company’s SMS.
• Check the vessel’s fuel level and if necessary, fuel the vessel before entering it into service.
• Ensure the vessel has an adequate supply of fresh clear running water onboard for passengers prior to commencing service.
• Ensure the vessel is clean, tidy and well presented at all times to comply with the Company’s SMS and London Port Health regulations.
• Provide the best customer experience whilst sightseeing with City Cruises.
• Lead by example, being well presented and always groomed and dressed in Company uniform when representing City Cruises.
• Promote onboard sales and other Company products as directed.
• Be an Ambassador for our RESPECT Service System & Values.
• Perform additional duties as may reasonably be required.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Signed off on the following vessels within the probationary period: MV Westminster, Mayflower Garden, Jessica, Amy, Princess Rose, City Alpha, City Gamma and Millennium of London.
• Able to act as mate across the entire fleet.
• SCTW95 Seaman Certificate.
• LKE (Local Knowledge Endorsement).
• Experience operating as Captain of large passenger vessels for 2 years.
• Knowledge of vessel maintenance and vessel engineering.
• Able to provide a Thames commentary between Westminster and Greenwich.
• Full understanding of Health & Safety afloat and ashore and implementation of Safety Management System, preferably to ISM standard.
• Experience working within the hospitality industry.
• Experience of River Thames commentary/guiding.

Personal Skills Required:

• Excellent communication skills to perform great customer service.
• Willingness to learn and progress.
• Ability to write and speak English to the level required for the role.
• Act with integrity at all times.
• Deliver excellence through customer satisfaction and living our City Cruises values.
• Work with empathy and calm under pressure.
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Highly organized and able to work under direction.
• Flexible in carrying out duties at any of the Company’s locations.
• Self-motivated and a problem solver.

All employees must commit to upholding our RESPECT values: Respect, Environment, Safety #1, Professionalism, Exceed, Communication, and Teamwork.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to create a diverse and inclusive environment.