Vessel Master

Overview

Vessel Master (TYAFB-2025-23827):

***Position is contingent on contract award***

 Bowhead Marine Support Services seeks a Vessel Master to operate a 120' United States Air Force Missile Retriever in direct support of Tyndall Air Force Base.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the 120' Missile Retriever in direct support of the 53rd Weapons Group, 82nd Aerial Target Squadron missions which range from harbor operations to operations up to 200nm seaward of the Panama City, Sea Buoy.
• Conduct, assist and supervise the preventative, corrective, predictive maintenance and general repairs or modifications to suit mission requirements.
• Shall have extensive experience, knowledge, and confident skills as a vessel operator and deckhand and be able to operate in close proximity to other craft and waterborne targets and structures.
• Shall be proficient in the operation of radar, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), VHF Communication systems.
• Proficient at following instructions for planned maritime operations and understanding military communications.

Qualifications

• Must provide a certificate of competency that complies with STCW Reg II/3: NVIC 13-14 Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Master or Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch of Vessels of Less than 500 GT Limited to Near-Coastal Waters
• Minimum of three (3) years experience operating and maintaining water craft, and a USCG 200 Ton near coastal or greater Master’s License.
• Prefer candidate with experience operating craft used to conduct range clearance operations, range safety and in the recovery of Drones and subscale aerial target waterborne recovery.
• Having familiarity with systems such as the MK-30, MK-39, Mk-46, MK-48, MK-54 systems and Portable Underwater Tracking Range (PUTR), Portable Acoustic Range (PAR), LASEREX, and High Speed Maneuvering Seaborne Target (HSMST) operations is a plus.
• Successful applicant will also demonstrate knowledge and experience of Port Operations Support Functions.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment and routine drug screening as required by Maritime Consortium.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees and outside contacts
• Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment with the ability to work alone or as part of a team

Physical Demands: The work environment varies and includes, but is not limited to: dock, port, bay, waterways, office space, equipment rooms, warehouse space, construction zones, and outdoor environments. Work hours may fluctuate outside of normal duty hours. While performing the duties of this job, the individual is:

• Regularly required to sit, use hands to handle, move, manipulate or feel objects, talk and/or hear.
• Frequently required to stand and/or walk and routinely required to reach with hands and arms.
• Routinely required to stand, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or squat.
• Frequently lifts and /or moves up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 75 pounds.
• Occasionally lifts and/or moves 75-100 pounds with the assistance of deckhands and/or heavy lifting equipment