Captain – Marine Operations

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually.

This is a full-time permanent position paying an annual salary of £41,990.00. Upon successful completion of probation and training, the salary for this role will increase to the next grade.

About the Role:

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!

Alongside a unique working environment on the River Thames, we offer a range of benefits designed to support you both professionally and personally:

• Ongoing training and fully supported CPD opportunities to help you grow your career
• A competitive death in service benefit for peace of mind
• Opportunities for career progression within a global organisation
• A strong team culture with regular social engagement and support
• Access to free and discounted experiences and products across our offerings
• The chance to work within a well-established, reputable brand in the maritime industry
• Exposure to a diverse mix of operations, from sightseeing cruises to private charters

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.
• 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.
• Report any maintenance checks or incidents as per the Company’s SMS.
• Check the vessel’s fuel level and fuel the vessel if necessary 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.
• Deliver excellent customer service while sightseeing with 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:

• 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.
• Experience working within the hospitality industry.

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.
• Calm and able to work well under pressure.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Highly organized and able to work under direction.
• Self-motivated and a problem solver.

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