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.
