What are the responsibilities and job description for the Port Captain position at Southern Devall Towing Co?
JOB PURPOSE (Summary of Outputs of the Job)
The Port Captain is the Company liaison for his/her assigned fleet of towboats and their respective barges. The Port Captain is responsible for the overall performance of his/her assigned fleet of vessels both with respect to operations and the financial results of operations compared to budget. This position is involved in the oversight and management of all vessel captains for Southern Devall, River Division operating between Plaquemine, Louisiana and Memphis, Tennessee crew change locations.
The Port Captain is the primary point of contact for his assigned vessels. As the primary contact, the Port Captain is responsible for interfacing, communicating and addressing items that may fall under different assigned areas of responsibility. Examples include personnel and administration, purchasing and supplies, safety and training, etc. It is the Port Captain's duty to ensure that information is delivered in a timely manner to the responsible managers in the company. As the primary contact for his assigned vessels, the Port Captain is responsible for communication, coordination and follow-up on all items affecting the vessels and their personnel. The Port Captain gives and receives input regarding Company policy and procedures and is responsible for ensuring such policies/procedures are followed and adhered to throughout his assigned vessels. This person is a role model for the company culture and is on call 24/7 for all emergencies, business interruptions, system failures, fires, etc. The Port Captain reports to the Sr. Operations Port Captain.
The Port Captain is responsible for performing navigation safety related duties on a professional level and works to support daily operations of Southern Devall as directed by the Sr. Port Captain. This position carries out responsibilities in the following functional areas: navigation safety, vessel safety, compliance with Sub Chapter M, wheelman professional development, and emergency response to incidents/injuries.
KEY ACTIVITIES
Personnel Responsibilities:
- Acts as the Personnel Administrator for his/her assigned vessels and works closely with Management in developing, implementing and enforcing Company policy
- Visits company vessels and rides with vessel Captains to ensure they are maintaining requisite navigational and bridge management skills.
- Check-rides to evaluate any personnel who are going to assume the position of Captain on a company vessel
- Conducts navigational audits when on Company vessel to ensure proper navigational procedures, policies, and other documentation requirements are being followed
- Respond to questions from vessel Captains and Southern Devall Senior Managers about any potential problems with the navigational waterways that Company vessels will be transiting
- Maintains awareness of major waterway issues (e.g. high or low water, USCG Safety Zones, etc.) which may have an impact on company operations and provides recommendations when the situation arises
- Serves as the Alternate Qualified Individual and Alternative Company Security Officer for the Company and has the authorities and responsibilities as outlined in the Non-Tank or Vessel Response Plan (VRP) as applicable and Vessel Safety Plan (VSP)
- Responds to any inquiries from vessel Captains and on any pertinent company issues
- Acts as the “ombudsman” between the vessel Captains and other members of Southern Devall Senior Management as situations dictate
- Interviews and relays qualifications of candidates for employment
- Fills in, on an emergency basis, the position of Captain on company vessels when required
- Interviews new company Captains, Relief Captains, and Pilots during the hiring process
- Assists in the investigation for any incidents involving the navigation of a vessel, working closely with Safety Manager and Regulatory Compliance Manager to identify casual factors of vessel incidents, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
- Assist Senior Manager as requested
- Coaches vessel Captains and Pilots on company’s TSMS and safety culture
- Monitors operations of vessels and identifies area for improvement to achieve safety milestones
- Assists with Company pilots and captains as needed on select boats
- Assists with various navigational needed as requested
- Assists with additional needs as determined by Senior Management
- Evaluates key afloat personnel annually
- Approves crew assignments for his assigned vessels
- Administers wages and benefits and approves payroll sheets
- Primary enforcer of personnel policies and procedures
- Interfaces and communicates with department leader responsible for employee benefits, safety and training
- Interfaces and communicates with the Controller
- Assists in field training of afloat personnel
- Performs operational audits of his assigned vessels
- Makes recommendations with respect to field training, safety issues, etc
Operational Responsibilities:
- Coordinates all daily fleet operations and significant issues with the Dispatchers
- Reviews and discusses voyage planning with vessel operators, emphasizing high risk areas
- Reviews fleet activity for operational issues
- Suggests operational policies
- Evaluates equipment to be furnished on board vessels
- Attends Corps, etc. meetings
- Reviews customer facilities, gives inputs on same including suggested improvements/changes, ingresses and egresses issues, lay-up, etc., such as pilings, docks, gangways, etc.
- Assists in incident/accident investigations.
- Ensures Maintenance items are addressed adequately and timely.
2.0 PROFILE
QHSES SKILLS
Required for position:
- Be a HSE leader.
- Be able to stop the work if felt unsafe.
- Adhere to company policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a face-paced environment with multiple changing priorities
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills.
- Ability to maintain successful working relationships with senior management, departmental personnel, maritime vessel personnel, customers and suppliers
- Strong organizational and time management skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and Internet Applications
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
- Travel will be required
Required for future development:
- Lead by example in demonstrating the correct behavior in implementing the tankering program.
- Recognize the ‘ownership' of health, safety and environmental control within their sphere of activity and lead by example.
- Require Captains to demonstrate effective control over health, safety, security and environmental responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS (Professional, Technical, Academic)
Essential:
- Masters of Inland and Western Rivers
- Must be a Designated Examiner
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and Rosepoint
- 8-10 years progressive experience in the inland towing sector with specific Tankerman responsibilities
- 10 years progressive experience operating Towing vessel’s on inland waters and western rivers
- Current certification as a USCG Licensed Tankerman (DL or LG – both is preferred)
TECHNICAL (Experience/Skills/Knowledge)
Essential:
- Safety Management Systems
- Voyage Planning
- Work experience in tankering operations is preferred
- Good oral and written communication skills for general business and technical matters
Preferred:
- Direct industry sector experience
- Line management or operational experience
- Ability to build and deliver training programs
NON-TECHNICAL (Experience/Skills/Knowledge)
Essential:
- Excellent communicator
- Self-starter, able to prioritize and work as part of a leadership team
- Ability to influence teams - an enthusiastic leader
- Ability to leave at any moment to respond to incidents or when needed
- Ability to prioritize and work within a dynamic and constantly changing work environment