Bowhead Transport Company (BTC) provides marine cargo transportation; line haul cargo delivery, lightering; environmental and research support, logistics and oilfield services. We have a diverse fleet of vessels that provide our customers with comprehensive marine service options in multiple regions of Alaska.  We are seeking an experienced captain with a Master of Towing license aboard our 147 GRT tugboat, SITKA (prev. PT. BARROW).

Essential Functions:

• Supervises and coordinates activities of crew aboard tug.
• Responsible for safe navigation in throughout Southcentral, The Aleutians, Western Alaska, and North Slope
• Produce daily logs and supervise safety drills as required by USCG
• Line haul towing, 3 line maneuvering (on the hip), and pushing barges up rivers such as the Yukon and Kuskokwim R
• Maintain effective communication with the office/dispatch staff/port captain.
• Represent Bowhead Transport’s interests when dealing with customers and government personnel
• Maintain a safe working environment for crew and encourage career growth for individuals as the opportunity presents itself
• Adhere to all company policies

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDE:

Watchstanding: 

• Responsible for safe and efficient watchstanding as required in all weather conditions.
• Must be capable of operating all bridge electronics or engineering machinery as required.
• Responsible for establishing working schedule for all crew.
• Must remain flexible as operations can change based on prevailing weather conditions, customer demands, and cargo scheduling.

Safety Duties:

• Oversee the Ship’s Emergency Station Bill.
• Must perform requirements of Emergency Station Bill for both drills and actual emergencies to include fire, flooding, man overboard, abandon ship, medical, and spill response.
• Direct monthly drills as required by the USCG.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Expertise:

• 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
• Physically qualified. Able to complete an annual Merchant Mariners physical exam and perform physically demanding shipboard duties.
• Communication skills require the ability to provide explanation of very complex or technical matters to people with little or no background in the area under discussion.
• Writing skills require the ability to write text designed to communicate technical information.
• Strong interpersonal/team skills and the proven ability to often deal with situations where immediate low-level satisfactory resolution of issues must be achieved.

Required Experience:

• USCG Rated as Master of Towing with Near Coastal or Oceans Endorsement
• Merchant Mariners Credentials (MMC) – for vessels of at least 200 GRT
• Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC -- minimum six (6) months prior to renewal)
• 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 Western AK Towing Experience

Physical Demands:

• 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.

Environmental 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.