Position: Curtin Habor Services - Chief Mate

Location: Los Angeles /
Long Beach, CA

Department: Marine Transportation, Ship Assist & Escort

Reports to: Port Captain, Vessel Captain

Schedule: This is a full-time position based in the San Pedro Bay Port Complex (Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach). Shift-based schedule to support 24/7 ship-assist and escort operations, including nights, weekends, and holidays as vessel and customer schedules require. Unlike Curtin's ocean towing positions, this role is harbor-based and does not typically require extended time away from home

THIS ROLE:

Ship Assist & Escort Mates
will work directly with the Port Captain and Vessel Captain aboard Curtin's ASD ship-assist and escort tugs (e.g., Tuuli C), applying our three core values of Innovation, Integrity, and Efficiency and maintaining the Curtin Standard onboard. As a leader both within the organization and onboard, the Mate will be the expert in the Curtin Standard for ship-assist and escort operations in the San Pedro Bay Port Complex, assisting the Captain and Harbor/State Pilots in the safe docking, undocking, and escort of deep-draft vessels.

WHO YOU ARE:

Mental Aptitudes

• Ability to think clearly during stressful situations or during an emergency
• Understand and respect the chain of command; ability to take direction no matter how it is given
• Attention to detail / excellent organizational skills
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-traffic harbor environment with frequent close-quarters maneuvering around deep-draft vessels, other tugs, and dock structures

Physical Aptitudes

• Ability to traverse uneven ground and to walk gangways at various heights
• Agility to bend, stoop, or squat frequently and climb high steps/ladders several times a day
• Ability to lift 100 pounds safely; moving equipment that is heavy, large, or awkward
• Physical dexterity and strength to catch and handle lines; make up tows and escort bridles; operate deck machinery; work on equipment that is poorly accessible
• Ability to work below decks in an area that may experience periods of darkness; work in confined spaces
• Ability to perform emergency duties and use emergency equipment onboard vessel
• Must be able to swim
• Demonstrate good personal hygiene, always maintain cleanliness

Ship Assist & Escort Mate - $450 - $750/day

LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:

• TWIC Card
• Mate of Towing Vessels, Near Coastal OR 500 GRT Mate, Near Coastal w/ TOAR
• CG Medical Certificate - No nighttime restrictions
• Pass physical & drug test
• MROP FCC License
• Radar Unlimited
• STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft

PREFERRED LICENSES & REQUIREMENTS:

• STCW OICNW 500 Ton, Near Coastal
• Master of Towing Vessels, Near Coastal
• Prior ship-assist / escort experience in the Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach (San Pedro Bay Port Complex) or a comparable high-traffic deep-draft harbor strongly preferred

VESSEL PROFICIENCIES:

• General understanding of Curtin's ship-assist operating standards: radio etiquette with pilots/dock/agents, lines/rigging and their appropriate applications, caring for cordage, painting schemes/program, machinery limitations, etc.
• ASD/Z-drive tractor-tug handling, progressing from introductory maneuvering under supervision to developing skilled operation in current and close-quarters ship traffic
• Direct and indirect escort towing methods; bow and stern ship-assist work
• Able to fill out forms and reports in the Vessel Management System
• Basic engine room knowledge and mechanical repair abilities
• Crew management skills on deck and for vessel maintenance; work plans created with Captain/Chief Mate and carried out
• Job/voyage planning for ship-assist and escort work, including weather observations/predictions and San Pedro Bay traffic awareness, coordinated Pilots, terminal operators, and agent

COMPLIANCE:

• Proficiency in operation of the Vessel Management System, progressing to mastery of all modules and the ability to train others; complete outstanding tasks and VMS items in a timely manner
• Maintain inventories
• Understanding and enforcement of the Curtin Standard
• Assisting with internal and external compliance audits
• Diligent and thorough recordkeeping in the official logbook and other necessary recordings

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:

• Takes ownership of vessel and crew by assigning projects to crew and holding yourself and crew accountable
• Follows and enforces the Curtin Standard
• Maintains professionalism with Curtin staff, regulatory bodies, customers, pilots, agents, and crews
• Advanced crew management skills; ability to coach crew members and provide feedback for improved performance
• Ability to assist in drydocking management and vessel commissioning

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive Compensation
• Generous benefits package including:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Short-term Disability
  • AD&D/Life Insurance
  • 401k (with company match)
  • Additional option to elect incremental Life Insurance for employee and dependents, and choice to elect Health and/or Dependent Flexible Spending Account.