Tow Boat Pilot

Northern Marine is part of the full-service commercial maritime model the Egan family of companies has developed and fostered over 3 generations along the Illinois River.

We are seeking experienced Captains and Pilots to join our family-owned company located in the Chicagoland area. As a Captain or Pilot you will be responsible for all facets of the vessel's operation and personnel onboard. The ideal candidate will possess vessel leadership experience that aligns with our values to become part of our extended family.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensuring the safety of life, whether crewmembers, passengers, other mariners, and the public.
• Ensuring the safety of the towing vessel, and all other vessels under their command.
• Supervise all crewmembers and visitors onboard in carrying out their assigned duties.
• Compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Strict adherence to the provisions of the Certificate of Inspection (COI) for the vessel.
• Compliance with the company's Safety Management System (SMS) including, but not limited to:
• Adherence with all manuals, policies, and procedures.
• Completing and submitting all required logs, reports, and documentation.
• Completing the tasks outlined in the vessel's Towing Vessel Record (TVR).
• As applicable, the Captain must ensure strict compliance with all customer policies and procedures that do not contradict company policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties assigned under the Vessel Security Plan, with the most senior Captain onboard acting as Master of the vessel designated the Vessel Security Officer (VSO).
• Ensure the vessel and tow are maintained in seaworthy condition.
• Ensure the vessel and its equipment is maintained clean, organized, and in good working order.
• Report for your scheduled hitch on time, fit, and ready for duty.
• Navigate the vessel and its tow safely and efficiently while on watch.
• Take action to prevent accidents and report unsafe conditions:
• To the Captain of the vessel, and to Designated Persons Ashore (DPAs) / Qualified Individuals (QIs).
• Provide instructions and training to all crewmembers to ensure they can perform their job duties safely, and in the event of an emergency respond properly. This training includes, but is not limited to:
• Safety Orientations for all new crew members prior to getting underway for the first time.
• Navigation Safety Training prior to cutting them loose for individual duty.
• Provisions of the vessel's Station Bill.
• Drills with full crew participation as outlined in the TVR.
• Ensure that all personnel that hold an MMC (including themselves) have it on board and available for examination at all times when the vessel is operating. The Captain must ensure that all personnel not required to maintain an MMC must maintain at least a TWIC and have it on board and available for examination at all times when the vessel is operating.
• Set the watch-standing schedule for his crew, ensuring that no licensed wheelman works more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period and ensuring a licensed wheelman is on watch at all times while underway.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Maintain valid USCG Credential with:
• A Master of Towing inland Great Lakes & Western Rivers or extension to run North O'Brien lock
• At least a Pilot Mate endorsement if operating as a Watch Captain
• Western Rivers route endorsements
• Great Lakes route extension to breakwall, as applicable
• Full Great Lakes route endorsement, as applicable
• Radar Endorsement
• Maintain a valid USCG Medical Card
• Maintain a valid TWIC
• Maintain a valid state issued Driver's License
• Ability to read and write English
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrate the ability to employ all safety practices and manage risk
• Knowledge of supervisory and crew management practices
• Experience running on the Illinois River
• Experience running Lake Michigan, as applicable

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical abilities considered necessary for performing ordinary and emergency response vessel functions:
• Maintain balance (equilibrium) during routine movement on slippery, uneven, and unstable surfaces.
• Climb up and down vertical ladders and stairways.
• Step over high doorsills and comings and move through restricted access.
• Manipulate mechanical devices using manual dexterity and strength to, without assistance:
• Open and close watertight doors that may weigh up to 55 pounds
• Move hands and arms to pen and close valve wheels in vertical and horizontal directions,
• Rotate wrists to turn handles, and
• Able to reach above shoulder height.
• Lift, pull, push, and carry a load, without assistance, of at least 40 pounds.
• Crouch (lowering height by bending knees), kneel (placing knees on the ground), stoop (lowering height by bending at the waist), crawl (ability to move body using hands and knees), and sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Determine differences in texture and temperature by feel.
• Ability to use and manipulate various common vessel hand tools.
• Stand a routine watch on your feet for up to 4 hours with minimal rest.
• Visual acuity and field of vision to distinguish objects or shapes at different distances.
• Normal hearing with or without aid to react to audible alarms and instructions.
• Is capable of normal conversation and pronunciation of words clearly.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Hitches can vary from vessel to vessel so Captains may be required to live aboard a vessel for a multi-week hitch or may work on a day boat going home every night. With either hitch schedule, Captains may only work up to 12 hours in a consecutive 24-hour period, except in an emergency in accordance with 46 CFR d).

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $550.00 per day

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person