Captain, Thea Foss Yacht, Seattle Based

Captain, 120-foot Motor Yacht,  Thea Foss, Seattle, WA

Position summary

The 120-foot, 260 GRT Thea Foss is a steel-hulled luxury yacht designed by famed naval architect L.E. (Ted) Geary and built by Craig Shipbuilding Co. in Long Beach, California in 1930. The vessel carries between 5 and 6 crew members and up to 20 day-cruise guests or 10 overnight guests. The yacht owner, Saltchuk Resources, committed to an extensive restoration this past year and the vessel is in excellent operational and cosmetic condition. Today, the Thea Foss is home-ported in Seattle on Lake Union and is used for the enjoyment of the customers and guests of the Saltchuk family of companies. The boat is operated and maintained year-round. The ship has three main operational modes: spring and fall engaged with short dinner cruises on Lake Washington, mid-winter maintenance and repair often at a shipyard, and summer, multi-day cruises from ports of call along the Inside Passage through Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska.

Saltchuk overview

Saltchuk is a family-owned, diversified maritime, transportation and distribution company headquartered in Seattle. With consolidated revenue of about $3 billion and approximately 7,000 employees, Saltchuk is ranked among the largest privately held businesses in Washington. Saltchuk companies provide air cargo, domestic and international shipping and logistics, marine services, and petroleum distribution. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our organization -- in a work environment where anyone would be proud for their children to work. The Corporate home office provides leadership and resources for the Thea Foss.

Job responsibilities

Duties entail a wide variety of responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

• Expertly pilot and handle our 120-foot direct-reversing diesel engine vessel, often in difficult marine environments
• Plan and implement trip itineraries and voyages
• Ensure that the safety of passengers, crew, and vessel is the highest priority
• Follow the recommendations of the Large Yacht Code and the example of USCG rules for small passenger vessels as operational guidelines
• Understand all vessel operational systems and how they function
• Build a positive team environment with crew to ensure a safe and unforgettable experience for guests on every cruise
• Assist in maintaining the vessel in excellent condition
• In cooperation with the Chief Engineer research, plan and lead all aspects of maintenance and repair projects and haul-out periods
• Supervise, evaluate and train as needed all reporting crew members
• Work with crew members to establish and ensure Best Practices and Procedures
• Be the face of Saltchuk –always professional, appropriately groomed and courteous to passengers and crew members
• Manage crew schedules and supervise their individual responsibilities, encourage collaboration to maintain a positive crew work environment
• Communicate personally with hosts and guests to ensure each trip is a success from the guests’ point of view
• Work with Saltchuk management on schedule, budget and maintenance of the vessel
• Conduct oversight of shipyard and out-of-service periods

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Have a minimum of 5 years employment history as master of coastal or ocean-going motor vessels, antique or traditional highly preferred
• Show recent employment as Captain for a 100+ foot yacht or small passenger vessel of 100 to 500 gross tons and possess an up-to-date USCG Merchant Mariner Credential
• Skilled and safe ship handler, preferably with direct reversing engines
• Strong leader, effective communicator, good collaboration skills, and works well with others at all levels
• Strong voyage planning skills
• Ideally be familiar with the waters of the Pacific Northwest: Washington, British Columbia, Alaska
• Be a US citizen

Education Requirements:

Minimum two-years attendance at a Maritime School, Trade School, Junior College or University while enrolled in appropriate maritime subjects
certifications, or other training documents to include:

• Basic Safety Training
• Marine Firefighting or Advanced Fire Fighting
• Advanced First Aid or USCG Med Pro or Med PIC
• Radar Observer or Automatic radar plotting aid (ARAP)
• Electronic Chart Display and Info System (ECDIS)
• Leadership and Managerial Skills
• FCC First Class Radio Operator or Global Maritime Distress System (GMDSS)

Work schedule: Sailing schedules vary based on the season, and include evening dinner cruises, some weekends, and overnight cruises of 3-5 days in the summer.  The ship under goes annual maintenance January - April each year.

What benefits does Saltchuk offer?
Saltchuk offers market-competitive benefits to support you and your family: medical, dental and vision plans, life insurance, and disability benefits. We also offer generous 401(k) matching to help you save for your future.

Qualified applicants should respond by sending your resume to:
Erin Kittleman, Senior Director, Human Resources, Saltchuk Resources Inc.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All Saltchuk companies prohibit discrimination based on race; gender, gender identity, or gender expression; sexual orientation; geographic background; national origin; age; disability; veteran status; economic status; marital status; religious beliefs; or genetics. Reasonable accommodation is offered if needed.