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Port Captain
11th Hour Racing
Woodinville, WA, USA
USD 125k-140k / year
Posted on Oct 15, 2025
Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) was founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt in 2009 with a goal to advance the frontiers of ocean exploration and research through technological advancement, intelligent observation, and open sharing of information. This is achieved by making ship time and associated assets freely available to scientists globally. In exchange, SOI supports public sharing of acquired scientific observations, data, and other information about the ocean to stimulate the growth of data applications and user community and to amplify and enable further exploration, discovery, deeper understanding, and effective conservation and management of our environment.
Port Captain - Job Description
Permanent Full-time Professional Staff position based in Woodinville, WA (salaried)
The Port Captain is an integral member of Schmidt Ocean Institute’s (SOI) Maritime Infrastructure Division and part of the shore-based management team responsible for operating the Institute’s Global-Class research vessel Falkor (too). This involves ship management, including oversight of the recruitment and management of vessel crew, shoreside management of interior and deck departments, and assisting with logistics during in-port and shipyard periods, the preparation of budgets, cruise planning, and implementing procedures and documentation to meet regulatory and policy requirements.
Responsibilities
Crewing
- Ensure the Ship is properly crewed, including oversight of recruitment and termination, interviews, and selection of permanent and temporary crew.
- Serve as shoreside administrative supervisor for permanent and temporary crew, in collaboration with Purser and Operations Associate.
- Shoreside Manager of the Deck and Interior Departments,, in collaboration with Captains.
- Assist Captains and Heads of Department to maintain crew schedules / identify crew change dates.
- Ensure crew have proper training, documentation, and up-to-date and accurate records in collaboration with the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) and Operations Associate.
- Plan and coordinate promotions and permanent positions in collaboration with the Captains and Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure.
- Assist Purser as needed to plan and organize crew arrivals and departures to include entry requirements for foreign countries.
- Create and maintain crew-related policies in collaboration with the DPA.
- Address low to mid-level crew HR issues in collaboration with Captains and Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure and escalate high level HR issues to senior management.
- In collaboration with the DPA, ensure compliance with international maritime crew regulations and SPS Maritime Ltd and SOI policies.
- Maintain a pool of qualified applicants for shipboard positions.
- Actively recruit qualified applicants from the global workforce with emphasis on inclusivity in hiring practices, ensuring an international crew.
- Manage the performance review system and feedback mechanisms for crew.
- Propose and assist SOI Leadership and Captains with initiatives focused on crew recruitment and retention.
- Maintain the crew training and travel budgets.
Port Logistics
- Identify and work with ship agents in ports in collaboration with the Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure.
- Manage shipping needs with crew and scientists in collaboration with the Purchasing and Logistics.
- Assist Purser and Operations Associate as needed to coordinate crew and scientist arrival and departures.
- Work with Operations logistics team to hire shore-based assets such as cranes and forklifts.
- Work with Operations logistics team to ensure port utilities and supplies are arranged (garbage, potable water, sewage, fuel, ships stores, etc.).
- Create and manage in-port schedules in collaboration with the Director of Engineering.
- Assist with logistics and maintenance during in-port and shipyard periods.
- At least once annually visit and inspect the ship with focus on the equipment of the Deck Department and the Interior Department and provide an Inspection Report.
Cruise Planning
- Assist Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure in preparing annual operation schedules, developing operating budgets, and tracking expenditures.
- Assist Science Systems Senior Manager to work with scientists to plan their assigned cruise, including cruise planning documents in the Marine Facilities Planning application.
- Ensure the Ship is capable of conducting the planned work and coordinate with the crew to set up the deck(s) appropriately.
Regulatory
- Monitors for and responds to Ship Emergency calls as part of the 24/7 Ship’s Emergency Response Team.
- Work with DPA to ensure all Ship documents are valid and updated.
- Work with DPA to manage and maintain Ship’s Safety Management System (SMS) which include the requirements of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, Emergency Plans, and Drug & Alcohol Testing Programs.
- Coordinate inspections with the Flag State authorities in collaboration with the DPA, SPS Maritime Ltd’s Point of Contact for Flag State.
- Assist with annual Classification Society surveys in collaboration with the Director of Engineering, SPS Maritime Ltd.’s Point of Contact for Classification.
- Collaborate with the DPA on internal Company and Ship audits.
- Oversee Shipboard Management Committee.
- Oversight of compliance of Bridge equipment in collaboration with the Captain.
- Serves as an alternate DPA and an alternate Company Security Officer (CSO).
- Contribute to Policies and Procedures and the Safety Management System as an integral member of SPS Maritime Ltd shoreside support team.
Other Duties
- Work with Captains and crew to identify the need for new navigation, communications, science support equipment and upgrades.
- In coordination with the Senior Director of Maritime Infrastructure, support and participate in appropriate committees and/or activities (UNOLS, IRSO, etc.).
- Will be required to travel to the Ship.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills
- Work as an integral part of a team.
- Ability to set own goals and priorities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to think calmly and logically under pressure.
- Excellent problem-solving capabilities, in particular for Ship and crew items.
- Collaborative approach to problem-solving.
- Ability to work with people from different backgrounds and countries.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
Required Qualifications
- STCW Master Unlimited license preferred. STCW licensed deck officer as Officer in Charge of a Navigation Watch (validity not required) will be considered. Expired license due to occupying a shoreside position will also be considered.
- Minimum of five years in the maritime industry working aboard research, merchant or navy ships, managing vessels, shipyard workers, and/or managing a Safety Management System, operations and scheduling, budget development, crew administration, and fiscal management or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least two years management experience at sea or ashore.
- Familiarity with the various requirements of cognizant regulatory bodies (e.g. Red Ensign Group, DNV, USCG, ABS) concerned with Special Purpose Ships and research vessel operation.
- Applicants must hold a valid and current passport of any nationality; validity must be at least six months.
- Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft 365, ship management and crew management software, and project management software.
Preferred Qualifications
- Three years experience in similar positions or responsibilities leading or supporting complex oceanographic operations over a wide geographic range.
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field (engineering, science or shipping preferred), or business from a maritime or military academy, college, or university.
- Familiarity with maritime specific software Unisea and Adonis.
This is an exempt position.
Schmidt Ocean Institute is an equal opportunity employer and we strive to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background are welcomed, valued, and supported. We believe that diversity brings about greater results on all levels and we aim to use our resources to generate greater impact through our work. Candidates who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.
125000 - 140000 USD a year