Captain

The captain is responsible for the safety of the passengers, crew and
vessel. He/She is the supervisor/manager of his crew. He or she must be
physically able to perform this duty as is necessary for the safety of life at
sea. Norfolk By Boat, Inc. retains the right to, at any time, require a
captain to undergo, at the company=s expense, a physical or any other
type of medical examination deemed necessary to assure this safety.

The Captain Must:
_ Regularly monitor the vessel’s mechanical systems for proper
functioning
_ Have the dexterity necessary to perform these duties.
_ Handle and oversee maintenance of the ship’s log
_ Assure accurate passenger counts
_ Adhere to schedule, taking into consideration inclement weather or
excessive public demand that prelude punctuality
_ Assure the cleanliness of the vessel and dock
_ Assure good customer/public relations
_ Exhibit good people skills, get along with his/her crew, and have the
ability to be an effective leader for his crew
_ Take responsibility for the smooth operation of the vessel.
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As a minimum licensing requirement, captains will be required to have a
100 Ton, Merchant Marine Officer’s Inland Master’s License issued by
the United States Coast Guard.
Possession of an appropriate United States Coast Guard issued
license to operate subject vessels does not, by itself, necessarily fulfill
the requirements of NBB for one to fill the position of captain. NBB
prefers experience on passenger vessels. NBB realizes that certain types
of experience are comparable to experiences on passenger vessels.
Indeed, some experience may be said to be superior to passenger service,
such as experience as an US Coast Guardsman piloting Coast Guard
cutters for search and rescue duties. As such, any acceptable
combination of education, training and experience that provide the above
knowledge, abilities and skills may be considered. Before being hired,
the candidate will undergo a test to demonstrate their boat handling
abilities. This demonstration will take place under the supervision of the
President of NBB or the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The captain
applicant must demonstrate boat handling skills to the satisfaction of the
President of NBB or the COO

Ferry Captain Job Description & Duties Primary Role:
The Ferry Captain is responsible for navigating and operating the vessel, ensuring
passenger and crew safety, overseeing ferry operations, and maintaining compliance
with maritime regulations. The captain also completes required checklists, logs engine
hours, and supervises maintenance.

AM Shift Duties (Active Onboard Responsibilities)

(Begins before or around the first ferry departure.)

Morning startup:
1. Pre-engine Check:
Check coolant
Check oil levels
Check transmission fluid
Check air vents
Check fuel level

1. Pre-Departure Responsibilities:
● Fill out the daily captain’s checklist, including:
○ Date
○ Vessel name
○ Crew member names and roles
○ Inspection checklist completion
○ Engine hours at the start of operations
● Conduct a pre-trip vessel inspection, ensuring:
○ Navigation equipment (radar, GPS, radios) is functioning.
○ Fuel, oil, and coolant levels are adequate.
○ Life jackets, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers are in place.
● Hold a pre-shift briefing with the crew to go over the day’s operations.
● Approve bi-hourly engine room checks performed by the deckhands.

2. Navigating the Vessel:
● Steer and operate the ferry safely along designated routes.
● Maintain communication with the harbor, dock personnel, and other vessels.
● Monitor traffic, weather conditions, and navigational hazards.
● Follow all maritime laws, speed regulations, and safety protocols.

3. Passenger & Crew Safety:
● Ensure all passengers are safely boarded before departure.
● Oversee deckhands in mooring and unmooring operations.
● Be prepared to take command in emergencies (man overboard, fire, engine failure).
● Conduct safety announcements and ensure passengers are aware of emergency
procedures.

4. Log-Keeping & Ongoing Supervision:
● Maintain the captain’s log, recording:
○ Weather conditions
○ Route details
○ Passenger and cargo counts
○ Any incidents or unusual occurrences
● Review and approve deckhand reports on bi-hourly engine room inspections.

PM Shift Duties (Active Onboard Responsibilities)

(Focuses on evening operations, vessel shutdown, and overnight security.)

1. Continued Vessel Operation & Navigation:
● Safely operate the ferry until the last scheduled trip.
● Remain alert for changing weather conditions or potential hazards.
● Ensure smooth docking and passenger transitions.

2. Passenger & Crew Supervision:
● Continue overseeing deckhands and engineers.
● Ensure that all passengers safely disembark at the end of the route.
● Assist with final fare collections and address passenger concerns.

3. Cleaning, Maintenance & Final Checks:
● Oversee the final deck and window cleaning process.
● Ensure all waste and hazardous materials are properly disposed of.
● Verify that the deckhands perform a final bi-hourly engine room check, inspecting:
○ Leaks (oil, fuel, coolant, water intrusion).
○ Loose hoses, fuel levels, and pressure gauges.
○ Unusual noises or vibrations.

4. Completing the End-of-Day Checklist:
● Log engine hours at the end of the shift.
● Record any equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, or maintenance needs.
● File incident reports if any occurred during operations.
● Ensure all navigation and control equipment is properly shut down.
● Lock all storage areas, doors, and entry points.

Additional Off-Duty Responsibilities (Outside of Active
Transportation Shifts)

1. Attending Meetings & Training Sessions:
● Participate in safety meetings, operational debriefings, and company updates.
● Stay up to date with new maritime laws and ferry company policies.

2. Conducting Drills & Emergency Training:
● Lead and participate in required safety drills, including:
○ Fire response
○ Man overboard
○ Abandon ship procedures
○ Engine failure scenarios
● Evaluate crew performance during drills and provide feedback.

3. Licensing & Recertification:
● Maintain required Coast Guard licensing and endorsements (such as a Merchant
Mariner Credential).
● Complete periodic maritime safety training (e.g., CPR, First Aid, STCW courses).
● Attend courses on advanced navigation, weather response, and vessel operations.

4. Supervising Vessel Maintenance & Repairs:
● Work with engineers to schedule regular vessel maintenance.
● Report any mechanical or structural issues to port authorities.
● Ensure all compliance inspections are passed (Coast Guard, company policies).

Key Responsibilities Recap:
✔ Navigating and steering the ferry safely.
✔ Filling out daily checklists (vessel name, crew list, inspections, engine hours).
✔ Conducting pre-departure and end-of-day vessel inspections.
✔ Supervising deckhands and ensuring proper mooring/unmooring.
✔ Monitoring weather conditions and responding to emergencies.
✔ Maintaining accurate logs of all trips, incidents, and inspections.
✔ Participating in drills, meetings, and continued maritime training.
✔ Ensuring ferry maintenance, repairs, and compliance with regulations.