JOB POSTING: Captain (Master und Head of Mission)

As an organisation for civil sea rescue, we as SOS Humanity are working towards a world where no one has to drown while fleeing and everyone is treated with dignity. Founded in 2015 in Berlin as SOS Mediterranee Germany, we have been working in the Central Mediterranean since 2016. During this time, we were able to rescue 34,631 children, women, and men from drowning and brought them towards a safe place. With our new sea rescue ship, Humanity 1, we brought our own vessel to the Central Mediterranean in August 2022.

For our marine crew we are looking for a Captain (Master) on board the HUMANITY 1:

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Captain is responsible for ship’s command and the coordination of rescue operations – this requires previous experience in SAR operations as they act as head of mission in cooperation and coordination with HoM-Team (Care Coordinator, SAR Coordinator and Communications Coordinator on Board)
• Overall responsibility for the ship and its operation
• safe (SAR) navigation and operation of the vessel including search and rescue (SAR) bureaucracy with respective authorities and actors
• consulting SARCo from land for strategic questions and regular reporting
• plan and coordinate safe and effective search and rescue rotation:
  • work with partially inexperienced SAR members (volunteers and professional crew)
  • coordinate rescue mission from the bridge including SAR bureaucracy with authorities and respective actors
  • plan and conduct several drills on board to train volunteer and professional crew for search and rescue rotation, together with SARCo and Chief Mate
  • communication with other vessels, aircrafts, backoffice and authorities
  • coordination and communication with SARCo during deployment
  • coordination and supervision of all tasks on board – before, during, after rescue mission
  • preparation or review of rotation reports and protocols
  • responsibility for ship’s administration and management
  • prepare documentation for disembarkation of survivors on board
• familiarization of crew with ship, regular work and general procedures on board, together with professional ship personnel
• ensure everyone and everything on board in compliance with organisation’s policy, SOPs and Guidelines
• Maritime contact for offices on land
• Communication with technical ship managers and superintendes of Hellespont
• Ship Security Officer on Board
• In charge of crew medications and narcotics – however: crew and volunteer treatment done by professional doctor on board during rotation

Requirements:

• EU Citizenship
• Valid Certificate of Competency for Master on ships up to 3000 GT (STCW A-II/2)
• Valid General Operator’s Certificate (GMDSS) (STCW A-IV/2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency ECDIS (Navi Sailor 4000)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency Ship Security Officer (STCW A-VI/5)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (STCW A-VI/2-1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency for Advance Training in Techniques for Firefighting (STCW A-VI/3) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care on Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6-1) + Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6-2)
• German Endorsement in case of foreign certificates
• very good teamwork and leadership skills, especially in extreme situations
• strong communication skills
• Physical fitness and mental resilience, incl. valid Medical Certificate for Seafarers for desired position
• Identification with the aims and work of SOS Humanity
• Awareness of working for a NGO; potentially working with partially (sea) inexperienced volunteers and familiarity with principles of “flat hierarchies”
• Precise knowledge of actors, communication channels and SOPs related to rotation
• Knowledge of nautical as well as SAR related guidelines and conventions (SAR Convention, IAMSAR, MLC, SOLAS,…)
• Good knowledge of situation on Central Mediterranean and its actors
• Good knowledge of equipment, strengths and limitations of ship and its crew
• Good English language skills (confident communication in an international team; spontaneous, fluent, detailed communication with native speakers in a broad range of themes)
• Advanced PC skills especially Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Vaccinations: Covid19 booster vaccination, measles, rubella

We provide:

• Salary: 3360 € / month (employee gross)
• Possibility for longer-term employment
• 1-1-Contract
• Travel Expenses

In addition to the Covid19 booster vaccination, a week of self-isolation and a negative Covid19-test (not older than 24h!) are required.

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and diverse as possible. In particular, we would like to encourage women* to apply in order to ensure a balanced gender ratio on board.

We are looking forward to receiving your application at  [email protected]

About The Author: Nadja Krueger