At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and operate harbour tugs in busy UK ports with a focus on safety and efficiency.
- Company: Join Svitzer, the world's leading towage operator with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 4-week rotations, excellent work-life balance, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Diversity is valued; apply even if you don't meet every requirement!
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions daily while leading a professional crew in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Must have Master certification, strong ship handling skills, and proven leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Svitzer is looking for experienced Tug Masters to join our UK operations. This is not a stepping-stone role. It's a hands-on command position at the sharp end of harbour towage, where judgement, leadership, and ship-handling expertise are tested every day. You'll be trusted with the safe and efficient operation of your vessel and crew, operating harbour tugs in some of the UK's busiest ports and working closely with pilots, customers, and port authorities.
If you take pride in ship handling, leading professional crews, and making sound decisions under pressure, you'll understand what this role demands.
What the Role Really Involves
As a Tug Master, you are accountable for the safe and efficient operation of your vessel. Every movement, every assist and every decision matters. Your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting ship assist and harbour towage operations safely and efficiently
- Executing complex manoeuvres in confined waters and challenging conditions
- Leading, developing and motivating a professional crew
- Maintaining vessel readiness and operational compliance
- Managing onboard safety and reporting requirements
- Building strong working relationships with Harbour Pilots, customers and port stakeholders
- Taking ownership of your tug and promoting the highest standards of professionalism
This is practical seamanship, real responsibility and leadership that matters.
Why Svitzer?
Because professional tug command should mean something. Join the world's leading towage operator and become part of a business that invests in its Masters, vessels and safety standards.
- Up to 4-week rotations providing excellent work-life balance
- Well-maintained fleet
- Industry-leading safety culture
- Opportunities across multiple UK ports
- Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities
- A company that backs its Masters with trust, support and clear operational standards
We don't offer an easy job. We offer a rewarding one.
What You Bring
- Minimum Master
- Valid Medical and STCW certification (minimum six months remaining)
- Command experience (essential)
- Strong ship handling and navigational skills (essential)
- Harbour or terminal towage experience (ideally)
- Experience operating ASD propulsion systems (ideally)
- Proven leadership in a commercial maritime environment
- A safety-first mindset
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Right to live and work in the UK (Overseas candidates will be considered and sponsorship provided if necessary)
What matters most is your ability to safely command a tug, lead a crew and consistently deliver exceptional harbour towage operations. If you're looking for a role where your experience is trusted, your judgement is valued and your skills are challenged every day, we'd love to hear from you.
Building a Diverse Workplace
In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.
Master - UK Wide in Felixstowe employer: Svitzer
Svitzer in London is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where teamwork and excellence are at the forefront of our operations. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including pension and life cover, and a strong focus on employee development, we ensure that our crew members thrive both personally and professionally while enjoying the unique experience of living onboard in one of the world's busiest harbours.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Master - UK Wide in Felixstowe
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Svitzer.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by Svitzer. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Master - UK Wide in Felixstowe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Svitzer, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Svitzer and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Svitzer. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Svitzer
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Svitzer.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Svitzer.
