Mate - Bowhead Transport Company

Overview

UIC Commercial Services is seeking a Mate to support safe and efficient vessel operations. The Mate supervises and coordinates the activities of the deck crew, ensures proper cargo handling and stowage, and oversees maintenance of the ship’s decks and equipment. This position also plays a critical role in navigation and safety, including standing watch and determining the vessel’s position as requested by the Master. The Mate serves as a key leader in day-to-day vessel operations.

Responsibilities

Essential functions will include:

The Mate plays a key leadership role in vessel operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant performance of day-to-day maritime activities. Responsibilities include:

• Supervising and coordinating the activities of the crew aboard the vessel.

• Inspecting cargo during loading to ensure proper stowage according to specifications.

• Examining cargo-handling gear and lifesaving equipment; directing crew to repair or replace as needed.

• Overseeing crew engaged in cleaning and maintaining decks, superstructure, and bridge.

• Standing watch during assigned periods; determining the ship’s position using navigation tools upon request of the Master.

• Performing additional duties as assigned by the vessel Master.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

Watchstanding:

• Ensure safe and effective watchstanding under the direction of the Master.

• Operate bridge electronics or engineering machinery as required.

• Maintain full vigilance during watch; prioritize watch duties above all else while on duty.

Safety Duties:

• Serve in a designated role on the Ship’s Emergency Station Bill.

• Actively participate in drills and emergency responses, including:

  • Fire

  • Flooding

  • Man overboard

  • Abandon ship

  • Medical emergencies

  • Spill response

Maintenance:

• Manage exterior maintenance and appearance of the vessel and its equipment.

• Lead and supervise crew in daily upkeep and repairs as directed by the Master and shore-side management.

Other Duties:

• Perform a variety of operational and support tasks as assigned by the vessel Master.

#LI-WW1

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must meet physical qualification standards and be able to complete an annual Merchant Mariners physical exam.

• Capable of performing physically demanding shipboard duties in a variety of environmental conditions.

• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex or technical concepts to individuals with limited background in the subject.

• Effective writing skills, including the ability to communicate technical information in a clear and concise manner.

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with a demonstrated ability to address and resolve issues promptly and effectively in dynamic or time-sensitive situations.

• USCG Rated as Mate with corresponding STCW-95 endorsements.
• Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) for vessels of at least 200 GRT with Corresponding STCW requirements.
• Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC -- minimum six (6) months prior to renewal).
• U.S. Citizenship and must hold a Valid U.S. Passport (minimum six (6) months prior to renewal).
• Valid Drivers' License (minimum 6 months prior to renewal).
• 3 years Arctic Experience.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Employee must be able to write in English, read in English, calculate, have estimation skills, possess good verbal presentation and be able to communicate using the radio, speaker, or electronic communication by using the English language.
• Repetitive and prolonged postures involving standing, sitting, twisting, squatting, kneeling, stooping and reaching to full range from above the head to the deck.
• Employee must have the ability to move extremities and spine through full physiological range of motion that will permit the employee to work in a variety of postures involving postures allowing reaching with hands from deck level to overhead level.
• Flexing and twisting of the trunk and other awkward postures are required occasionally when assisting crew while tying up vessels, moving rope or cable and repairing equipment.
• Employee must have good dexterity and frequently use one and two hands throughout the work period for grasping and fingering while using controls of the vessel, hand tools and performing other activities requiring good dexterity.
• Employee must always have good balance and coordination in order to safely walk over catwalks, enter/ exit hatches, and over uneven and/or slippery surfaces.
• Must be able to climb ladders, stairwells, and pushknees.
• Employee must be able to step with a step length of 2-ft. in the horizontal direction and 2-ft. in the vertical direction.
• Different docks have various combinations of barge drafts and river stages which make it necessary to step across, up, down, or over an obstacle in order to gain access to the dock from the barge or from the barge to the boat or from the boat to the dock.
• Must also be able to safely walk and carry tools and line while crossing pipes, ledges, sills, catwalks and/or climbing ladders and pushknees.
• Employee must have sufficient cardiorespiratory fitness to occasionally perform medium-heavy physical labor involving the ability to sit and/or stand for 6 hour shifts, walk for prolonged periods, handle (lift, carry, push and pull) various materials and tools, climb ladders, stairwells, and pushknees while working in inclimate weather with temperatures that may vary from extreme cold to extreme heat.
• Must be able to work in cold/hot weather while wearing required PPE (e.g., life) preserver, respirators, goggles, etc.).
• Must be able to lift at least 65 lbs. from floor to knuckles level on a daily basis.
• Must be able to lift at least 65 lbs. from floor to waist level on a daily basis.
• Must be able to lift at least 30 lbs. from floor to shoulder level on a daily basis.
• Must be able to lift at least 10 lbs. from floor to crown level on a daily basis.
• Must be able to lift and carry at least 30 lbs. with two hands at waist level for a minimum distance of 30 feet on a level surface.

Working Conditions:

• Cramped, confined spaces.
• May work in fog, dark, and other visibility limiting conditions.
• May be exposed to fuels, solvents, cleaners, dust, fumes, smoke, and gases.
• Will work on vessels in adverse weather conditions.
• Constant and loud engine noise, blowers, exhaust.
• Irregular working hours.
• Vibrations from vessel engines
• Arctic marine environment including low temperatures, high wind, icing, plenty of moisture and wave action.
• Frequent hazards include hypothermia, pinch points, sprains, strains, slips, falls, concussive impacts, and lifting injuries.
• Hazard awareness and corrective action is a constant function of the job due to the extreme work environment.