Port Captain

About Foss Maritime

Foss Maritime is one of the most recognized and respected maritime brands in the U.S. combining a rich legacy with a forward-thinking approach to industry innovation. While deeply rooted in tradition, Foss is evolving at a fast pace, continuously setting new standards for operational excellence and sustainability.

With operations spanning all U.S. coasts and global transportation projects, Foss is a leader in harbor and terminal towage, tug and barge transportation, and offshore energy solutions, including traditional energy and offshore wind projects. Our primary operations are on the U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii.

As part of the Saltchuk family of companies, Foss is a values-driven organization that takes pride in its exceptional team, commitment to safety, and dedication to customer success. With a culture built on integrity, innovation, and collaboration, Foss Maritime remains a trusted leader in the maritime industry.

About the Role

Responsible for supervising and coordinating all phases of operations relating to the division tugs and barges. Includes direct supervision of Deck Officers and Deckhands. Involved in selection, promotion, and training of crew, governmental and state regulatory and safety compliance standards, budget development & management, casualty investigations, vessel repair, coordination of vessel schedules and operations, and developing and executing operating standards designed to ensure regulatory compliance of personnel and vessels consistent with company policies.

What Youll Do

Supervision

• Directs and supervises all offshore marine employees.
• Interfaces with customers, marine & shoreside employees, vendors, pilots, and regulatory officials.
• Develops, implements, and enforces policies and procedures.
• Responsible for hiring, crewing, promotions, personnel placement. Directs training as pertains to marine personnel.
• Supervises responsibilities and performance of vessel personnel.
• Audits vessel logs and approves overtime.
• Assists with utilization and scheduling of tugs and barges in fleet.
• Initiates appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action.
• Supervises personnel involved in field projects, including special shipments and salvage operations.
• Responsible for vessel compliance with the pro-forma schedule, communication of schedule to appropriate parties.

Compliance

• Ensures compliance with company SOPs, regulatory licensing, and training requirements.
• Investigates and reports the causes and effects of marine incidents.
• Ensures compliance of company safety policies, maintenance, and training programs.
• Conducts regular inspections of tugs and barges to ensure compliance with company SMS.
• Complies with company Preventative Maintenance Program.
• Complies with applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations, including but not limited to USCG, EPA, ISM, ABS, OSHA, and OSPR.

Administrative

• Prepares budgets and manages vessels supply and crew costs.
• Prepares Towing and/or Operations Plans for ISO compliance.
• Supervises vessel modifications, rigging, and supply.
• Interprets and administers government regulations.
• Assists in negotiation and implementation of labor contracts.
• Effectively communicates regional goals and objectives.
• Provides direction and leadership to achieve company Core Values, Mission, and Safety Vision.
• Processes employee evaluations in a timely manner.
• Directs, motivates, and develops employees for maximum performance.
• Performs special duties and other projects as assigned.
• Adheres to all company policies.
• Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.

Supervisory and Leadership of Direct Staff

• Be a leader for SpeakUp, including encouraging peers and staff to exhibit a safe and ethical culture.
• Responsible for all matters of employment, including recruiting, training, development, promotion, discipline, and termination.
• Understands and complies with Foss Affirmative Action Plan, EEO, Non-Discrimination, Harassment, and all other HR policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicates regional goals and objectives.
• Provides direction and leadership to achieve company Core Values, Mission, and Safety Vision.
• Processes employee evaluations in a timely manner.
• Directs, motivates, and develops employees for maximum performance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical

• Must have a strong maritime background with a thorough understanding of the day-to-day operations of vessels, their limits, their capabilities, and both internal characteristics and external factors influencing them.
• Must also understand the individual roles, interactions, and responsibilities of crewmembers manning the vessels.

Legal

• Ability to interpret, administer, and ensure compliance with government regulations related to vessel manning, construction, maintenance & repair, safety training, navigation, work rules, emergency response, licensing, and towing operations.

Financial

• Should understand at a minimum basic cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes to effectively manage multiple budgets on a routine basis.
• Good organizational and planning skills are essential.

Communications

• Must possess strong written and oral communicative skills to draft business letters, develop reports, present oral presentations, create policies & procedures, and write repair specifications.

Customer Relations

• Should have good interpersonal skills to work well with customers, peers, superiors, subordinates, competitors, and the general public.
• Should also have a strong appreciation for and be sensitive to the needs of our customers, recognizing that the Company is a specialty service provider.

Human Relations

• Must be a team player but at the same time be willing to exercise authority when required.
• A coach-type management style is most effective.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities are a must.
• Should have good negotiating skills to deal with regulators, customers, vendors, and labor unions.

Personal Traits

• Must be flexible and receptive to change.
• Must have the ability to deviate from established routines on short notice and be able to recognize the level of importance of new assignments.
• Must be able to prioritize tasks accordingly to meet deadlines without sacrificing operational quality.
• Must be able to delegate effectively.
• Must be accurate in completion of assignments.
• Must be dedicated and loyal.

Sensory

• Must have reasonable sensory skills in order to maintain USCG license, including color vision, depth perception, hand-eye coordination, and hearing, and be proficient in the English language.

Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with dispatchers and all levels and personalities.
• Must be able to work effectively under stress and provide strong supervision in emergency response situations.
• Participates in negotiations with labor unions, customers, and vendors.
• Provides direct supervision of other managers and subordinates on a day-to-day basis.
• Works closely with customers, peers, competitors, government officials, and vendors.
• Should have good team-building skills and ability to motivate others.
• Must effectively process sensitive and confidential information.
• Regularly coordinates activities with members of other departments.

Equipment

• Telephones, calculators, computers, copiers, fax machines, radios, navigation equipment, including radar, GPS, and autopilot.
• Proficient in computer skills and software, such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and all applicable enterprise business platforms.

Requirements

• Must have extensive knowledge of offshore towing operations and harbor ship assist work.
• Must have experience working on twin screw and tractor tugs.
• Planning and forecasting skills relative to business trends, vessel management, and cost projections.
• Ability to demonstrate high ethical standards of honesty and integrity to lead by example.
• Ability to delegate and empower employees to achieve business goals and operational standards.
• Knowledge of business management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of repair and replacement costs essential to effective cost control.
• Knowledge of labor law, contract negotiation, and implementation of labor contracts.
• Must be able to provide functional direction to Deck Officers in charge of company vessels.
• Provide direction to Customer Service Representatives in the scheduling of vessel crews.
• Must have the ability to coordinate the efficient use of vessel and shoreside assets between geographic areas and activities.
• Ability to assist in cost planning, reporting, and operational expenditures in the region.
• Must be able to gain an intimate familiarity with company lines of business, reporting, and monitoring of financial performance.
• Ability to understand and interpret laws and regulations as they apply to the maritime business.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with regulatory agencies, including but not limited to U.S. Coast Guard, ABS, OSHA, OSPR, and other local, state, and federal agencies.

What Were Looking For

• Bachelors degree from a four-year college or university, preference given to those from a maritime academy, is required or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have five years as a tugboat captain or shoreside management experience.
• Ocean towing is preferred.
• Must possess a valid USCG Masters License or Mates License at a minimum.

Compensation

• Pay for this position will be between $113,172 to $169,757 annually based on experience.
• This position is eligible to participate in our annual incentive compensation plan, ICP. The target bonus will be 20% of base salary, subject to company and individual performance and per company policy.

Benefits

• The benefit program includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• This position will accrue 15 days of vacation a year. Accrued vacation will be vested and available for use after successfully completing six (6) months of service.
• Life insurance equal to two times annual base salary.
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) program with a 4% match vested immediately.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Business travel assistance program.
• Other voluntary benefits are available for purchase via payroll deduction at group rates.
• Nine (9) paid holidays with two (2) additional floating holidays available after six (6) months of service.
• Full-time employees will accrue ninety-six (96) hours of sick leave per year up to a maximum of 1040 hours.
• Bereavement Leave - three (3) paid days off for a death in the immediate family or five (5) days