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 crewing, 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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, direct 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Personal Traits: Must be flexible and receptive to change. Must have ability to deviate from established routines on short notice and be able to recognize the level of importance of new assignments.
• 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.
• Equipment: Proficient in computer skills and software such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and all applicable enterprise business platforms.
• Planning and Forecasting: Ability to demonstrate high ethical standards of honesty and integrity to lead by example.
• Knowledge: 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.

What Were Looking For

• Bachelors degree from a four-year college or university, preference given to those from a maritime academy, 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 $11,317 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

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• 15 days of vacation per year, accrued and vested after six months of service.
• Life insurance equal to two times annual base salary.
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Long term disability insurance.
• 401k program with a 4-match vested immediately.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Business travel assistance program.
• Other voluntary benefits available for purchase via payroll deduction at group rates.
• Nine paid holidays with two additional floating holidays available after six months of service.
• Full-time employees will accrue 96 hours of sick leave per year up to a maximum of 1040 hours.
• Bereavement Leave - three paid days off for a death in the immediate family or five days off if travel greater than 500 miles is required.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• All other benefits as required by law.

How to Apply

Ready to set sail with Foss? Submit your application via our careers page. If you need any assistance, please reach out to fossjobs@foss.com. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Drug Free Workplace

Foss Maritime Company LLC is a Drug Free Workplace, where post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Foss Maritime Company LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.