What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sailing Cruise Deckhand position at Whistling Man Schooner Company?
About Whistling Man Schooner Co.
Whistling Man Schooner Co. offers sailing cruises aboard traditional sloops during summers on Lake Champlain. The company has been in operation since 1996 and now has two boats: Friend Ship and Wild Rose.
We offer a personalized sailing experience with excellent service and interesting stories provided by thoughtful and knowledgeable crew. We invite our guests to escape from day-to-day life on land, relax, and cultivate a new appreciation for Lake Champlain and its people.
Deckhand - Job Overview
Guest experience: The deckhand’s main job is to ensure the guests have a great time aboard our boats. You help with the operation of the vessel, but most of your day is spent bringing the good times. Deckhands receive an in-depth training manual to help them learn what the WMSC experience is all about. You must be energetic, social, hardworking and fun loving! The ideal candidate wants to earn their USCG Master's License- a process which WMSC will support them through.
Safety First: You and the Captain are responsible for the safety of vessel and passengers. You must be physically agile and able to deal with unforeseen circumstances. You will be trained in all safety procedures, including firefighting, man overboard, and first aid. You will be required to inspect the ship’s systems/rigging for safety and functionality at the beginning of your watch, alerting the Captain to any issues that arise.
Every cruise has a crew of two: one captain and one deckhand. Although the deckhand reports to the captain while on board, both crew members are responsible for independent thinking and working together cooperatively to ensure ship and guests are safe and enjoying themselves.
Work Schedule and Compensation
Our 2025 sailing season is from May 15th to October 15th. Depending on the season’s schedule, captains work between one and five days per week and the schedule is predetermined before the season’s start. Inevitably, though, there are switches with other crew members that you’ll be asked to make or something that you would like covered, and that is just fine. It’s helpful for all crew to have a little flexibility in their schedule to help out when other crew need coverage.
Deckhands report to duty one hour before the first cruise of the day and are on duty until one half hour after the last cruise of the day. When relieving another deckhand midday, the deckhand reports to duty 15 minutes before departure and is on duty until 15 minutes after arrival if they are being relieved. Clean-up at the end of the day takes no more than 30 minutes.
Pay: Your starting wage will be $14.50 per hour plus tips. If a cruise is cancelled (because of weather or any other factor) no wages are paid. If time was spent preparing the vessel for a cruise, only to have a last-minute cancellation, wages will be paid for that time.
Tips: Tips and are split evenly between the captain and the deckhand. It is your responsibility to report your tip earnings at the end of the year for tax purposes. WMSC will not be responsible for keeping track of your tip earnings.
Job Types: Part-time, Seasonal
Pay: From $14.50 per hour
Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week
Benefits:
- Professional development assistance
Schedule:
- 10 hour shift
- 4 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Location:
- Burlington, VT 05401 (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $15
