Captain, RV Hugh R. Sharp*

The HUGH R SHARP (SHARP) is a University owned advanced technology floating lab which supports oceanographic research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Naval Research (ONR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and academic institutions throughout the U.S. The University of Delaware is a member of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) and operates a research vessel as part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF).

Safe and efficient operation and maintenance of the ship is essential for the safety of personnel, accomplishment of research goals, and generation of revenue to cover the $2+m annual operating budget for the vessel. The Senior Vessel Captain (Captain) is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master Mariner in Command of the vessel and ultimately responsible for the safe operation, personnel, regulatory compliance, and mission accomplishment.

The Captain is the Supervisor of nine Crew members ashore and directly responsible for up to 16 Scientific Personnel and Marine Technicians while at sea. When operating the ship, the Captain is the sole person responsible for the immediate navigation and operation of the ship. Strong independent judgment is required in evaluating where the ship can safely navigate, avoiding ship traffic, and properly handling scientific gear over the side in various environmental conditions.

Oceanographic operations are inherently risky with the use of winches, cranes, and the deployment of high-value equipment into the ocean. The 146’, 497 gross ton, SHARP has complex navigation and propulsion systems to perform precision mission support work at sea. The ship operates 24/7 when at sea, carries up to 22 personnel, and handles high value (up to $1m+) equipment in the dynamic ocean environment. Science missions are several days to over two weeks at a time, typically 120 - 160 days at sea per year. The Captain’s decision making when operating the ship directly and immediately impacts the safety of life, equipment, and the ship itself.

A high level of operational competence and independent judgment with the ability to make critical decisions is essential. The responsibility of this position requires significant competence to ensure safety of personnel, equipment, and the ship itself. The impacts of weather, other ship traffic, complexity of operations, skill of the science users, capability of deployment equipment, risk assessment, etc. to the safety and efficiency of mission accomplishment is essential to the safe and successful utilization of this high-value University asset.

Nearly every aspect of the ship’s daily operation and safety depends on specialized operational knowledge and leadership skills of the Captain. The Captain’s ability to work closely with the Senior Research personnel aboard is critical to ensuring proper science mission planning and execution. This requires significant collaborative and leadership skills in addition to the operational competence. The Captain is a highly visible representative of the University of Delaware and the Marine Operations program to the Federal Agencies and Academic Institutions who utilize the SHARP for their research.

The ship is essentially a small town at sea. The Captain is responsible for the safety, welfare, and mission accomplishment of the vessel, personnel, and operations 24/7 while at sea. Most cruises are one to two weeks in duration, with one to two days of demobilization and mobilization in between. The Captain will generally sail up to 2/3 of the ship’s sailing schedule and fulfills significant responsibilities ashore. When ashore the Captain will communicate frequently with the Relief Captain aboard ship to ensure safe mission accomplishment.

Ashore and administratively, the Captain must ensure the ship meets significant regulatory requirements from the U.S. Coast Guard, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others. The Captain also oversees the Chief Engineer and Deck Officers to ensure required maintenance is performed, and needed repairs are planned and executed.

The Captain works closely with the Director, Marine Operations on the regulatory requirements, major repair planning, and for scientific cruise planning and logistics. The Captain’s ability to communicate up and down the chain of command is essential to efficient management of the ship and operations.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the command and management of the University of Delaware’s research ship, including operation, navigation, safety, maintenance, and outfitting.
• Has the lead responsibility for the ship, crew, embarked science party, ship, and mission accomplishment. Directs crew and technician(s), assigns work priorities, monitors logistics, hotel services and vessel cleanliness, and ensures appropriate navigation planning to meet the ship’s schedule and mission requirements.
• Ensure the vessel meets all appropriate UNOLS, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Oil Spill Response and U.S. Coast Guard standards and regulations for a vessel of its size and class, and maintain appropriate classification with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
• Supervise the daily activities of the crew, both alongside and underway. While at sea, supervise the activities of the ship’s technicians with regard to successful completion of the scientific mission.
• Assist the Director of Marine Operations, the Manager of Oceanographic Services, Chief Scientist, and scientific party with detailed cruise planning and mobilization. While at sea, make operational decisions independently with special consideration toward the successful and safe completion of the scientific mission.
• Interacts closely with the scientific party (i.e. Chief Scientist) with planning, operations, logistics, safety, ship hotel services, etc. to accomplish the scientific mission.
• Oversees the scientific loading, unloading, and resupply of the vessel between assigned cruises. Supervises, instructs and assists crew in on-loading and off-loading of scientific gear including operation of the ship’s cranes and forklifts. Ensures navigation systems, operational planning, and hotel services are prepared.
• Stands a navigational watch as Officer in Charge (six hours on/six hours off) when at sea. Responsible for the safe movement and mission operations of the ship. Operates complex ship propulsion, navigation, and communications systems in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations and standard maritime watch keeping practices.
• Maintains situational awareness of the ship operational area, sea conditions, weather, deck operations, safety monitoring systems, personnel on duty, and deployed equipment while on duty.
• Operates the vessel in a full array of scientific operations involving station keeping with Dynamic Positioning (DP), moorings, specialized scientific equipment deployment and recovery, towed instrumentation operations, survey operations, and small boat activities.
• Schedule the ship’s crew for proper manning of the vessel and to ensure a balanced rotation (typically three weeks maximum contiguous deployment per crewmember). Schedule training and certification for crew members to keep all required licensing and certification current.
• Ensures completion of maintenance and repair of the vessel and its machinery and equipment. Assigns work teams to perform repair and maintenance of deck machinery, equipment, bridge systems, and the ship’s small boat. Works closely with the Director and Chief Engineer in planning and executing all major overhauls.
• Secures the vessel in the event of severe weather in-port or where the vessel cannot remain in home port, arrange docking and transportation.
• Ensure appropriate security measures are in place to protect the ship away from home port and to meet facility security requirements where docked.
• Work closely with the Director, Marine Operations with the management of the ship’s funds to make best use of financial resources in the outfitting, maintenance, and operation of the vessel.
• For all scientific missions (including foreign voyages), ensure arrangements for all logistical details including dockage, fuel, provisions, and stores.
• Ensure all safety equipment meets applicable UNOLS, USCG, and IMO requirements. Leads fire and other safety drills and response to actual emergencies (fire, flooding, medical, lifeboat, man overboard, etc.). Trains crew members in emergency and watch standing duties.
• Ensure vessel meets the UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards and is prepared for routine inspections by ABS and the NSF Ship Inspection team.
• Maintains inventory of medical supplies and controlled medications. Leads response or directs qualified crew response to medical emergencies, including utilizing shore support services. Ensures medically qualified personnel are assigned on all research cruises.
• Assist the Director with overall management of the ship support equipment, Work Shops, and storage facilities ashore.
• Make recommendations for continuous improvement of work procedures and material condition of the ship and equipment.
• Procure parts and services with University purchase card or purchase order. Adhere to University purchase card policies and procedures.
• Is available for communications through phone and email while off the ship, and may need to relive other crew members or report to the ship in an emergency with short notice.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must hold a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with endorsement as “Master 1600 Tons – Oceans.”
• STCW certification as Master and as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW).
• Bachelor’s degree and ten years’ experience as a deck officer on vessels, or an equivalent combination of education, maritime training and certifications, and experience.
• Extensive experience with deployment and recovery of equipment at sea, such as oceanographic, fishing, supply, or towing vessel operations. Experience on research vessels and as a vessel Captain or Relief Captain preferred.
• Must maintain other required certifications and training for the vessel’s size and class including but not limited to STCW, Radar Observer, GMDSS, Marine Fire Fighting, ARPA, MPIC.
• Experience operating vessels with Azipod or Z-drives and Dynamic Positioning.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

OCCUPATIONAL/ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES:

The physical environment requires the employee to work exposed to all conditions found aboard a ship at sea. This includes heavy weather, extreme heat/cold, and all forms of precipitation. Occasionally required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to hazardous materials (paint, solvents, etc.) and other risks during maintenance.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to perform normal duties aboard ship such as: climbing and descending ladders, handling mooring lines, opening and closing watertight doors, wearing an emergency breathing apparatus, reaching, handling, grasping, and lifting lifesaving and firefighting equipment, handling moderate loads (at least 40 pounds).
• Must meet the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) physical requirements for merchant seaman as outlined in 46 CFR and given on USCG Form CG-719K.
• Must be able to spend extended periods away from homeport including sailing typically up to 2/3 of the ship’s sailing schedule and attending shipyard periods.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays at sea and in port as operations require.
• Must have excellent decision making and interpersonal skills to interact appropriately with scientific users, direct crew, and communicate plans, risks, and operational limitations to users while maintaining a customer service and mission accomplishment environment.
• Must be willing to be enrolled in a Department of Transportation (DOT) random drug-testing program and pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• Must have a valid, state issued driver’s license in order to operate ship’s vehicles for crew transfers and conducting ship’s business.
• Requires the use of personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to safety hazards/hazardous materials.