2nd Mate - Safari Voyager in Costa Rica and Mexico

ABOUT UNCRUISE ADVENTURES

We are a small-ship adventure-based travel company dedicated to creating experiences that connect people with nature, wildlife, and local cultures - we kayak among icebergs, travel to hidden waterfalls, and share air with whales. Every team member plays a role in bringing the adventure to life. Operating seven vessels carrying 22 to 86 guests, we explore destinations, including Alaska, Hawaii, Baja California, and Costa Rica.

JOB SUMMARY

This position begins in December 2026 in Costa Rica. The 2nd Mate is considered the Navigation Officer. The 2nd Mate is responsible for maintaining the bridge navigational and communications equipment as well as assisting with the vessel's piloting, navigation, safe route planning, maintaining charts and publications, small boat operations, and general caretaking of the bridge and bridge equipment. The 2nd Mate reports to the Captain and will assist the Master in communicating and enforcing all company policies and procedures.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the operations of vessels in diverse waters such as Mexico and Central America.
• At least 360 sea days of Mate experience on passenger-carrying vessels, including navigation and bridge watch responsibilities, maintaining navigation/communications equipment, and performing chart corrections.
• Excellent crisis management skills; able to act quickly with confidence while exercising sound judgment.
• Strong time management skills: able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Personal computer experience: MS Windows applications with extensive use of MS Word and MS Excel.
• Communicate effectively in both one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees.
• Excellent written English language skills, with the ability to prepare documents and reports in a timely manner.
• Able to perform voyage planning and navigational calculations as well as lifting and rigging calculations appropriate to vessel operations.
• Able to problem solve and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• USCG 500GRT or up to 3000GRT Master Licenses, Near Coastal or 2nd Mate Unlimited
• II/1 Officers in Charge of Navigational Watch (500T)
• Vessel Security Officer (VSO)
• Radar Observer Unlimited
• ARPA Endorsement
• ECDIS Endorsement
• Bridge Resource Management
• STCW Basic Training (taken in the last 5 years)
• CPR / First Aid / AED
• Passport
• Medical Certificate

Company provided:

• Drug/Alcohol Test Specimen Collector
• St. Kitts Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)
• St. Kitts Certificate of Endorsement (CoE)
• STCW Crowd Management
• STCW Crisis Management
• VPDSD

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Watch Duty:

• Perform bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods. Determines geographical position of the ship, using all available means such as GPS, radar ranges, visual observations, depth sounders, etc.
• Make necessary entries in navigation and radio logs.
• Handle the vessel, as directed by the Captain, in docking, anchoring, piloting, en route, in close quarters and open sea conditions.
• Navigate vessel to ensure avoidance of marine hazards such as reefs, outlying shoals, shallow waters, etc. using aids to navigation such as lights, lighthouses, and buoys.
• While on watch the 2nd Mate is the Officer of the Watch, and should direct the deck staff as needed.

Small Boat Operations:

• Drive inflatable boats as needed.
• Assist with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.

Safety and Security:

• Participate in on board safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
• Participate in shore side training as required by the company.
• Relieve and/or perform gangway watch as directed by the duty schedule.
• Maintain familiarity with all duties under the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response Activities.

Administrative:

• Maintain navigation bridge supply inventories and requisitions.
• Perform chart and publication corrections and maintain vessel's chart inventory.
• Post daily sunrise/sunset times and tide and current information.
• Create Voyage Plan waypoint spreadsheet for Captain’s review and approval. Enter voyage itinerary waypoints into GPS.
• Maintain hard copies of all external and shipboard training for each employee onboard.

WORK SCHEDULE

The 2nd Mate works 12 hours per day of varied hours; two 4-hour watches per day plus 4 hours of administrative or small boat activities. However, each workday may vary depending on overall needs of the vessel and/or vessel personnel. This position is likely to require overnight and/or night shift hours.

ONBOARD ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS / EMPLOYMENT COMPLIANCE

• Living Conditions onboard SVO only - Crew live in close quarters with 2 people of all genders per room depending on the vessel. Having your own room is not an option due to limited berthing.
• Length of Work Shift- Physically able to work 12 hours per day, 7 days a week for 6 to 8 weeks at a time. Rotations off the vessel are usually 2 to 3 weeks.
• Mobility - Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, kneeling, crawling, and pushing/pulling. Must ascend and descend stairs and ladders, sometimes while carrying tools or objects. Able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Handling/Strength- Able to handle, lift, and lower objects totaling 50 pounds between the ground/deck level to a height of about 4 to 6 feet, and able to repeat these movements. Able to carry these objects up to 100 feet continuously for 20 minutes.
• Environmental Conditions- Able to work in all weather conditions, around loud noise, in small spaces, and fit through a 28-inch wide hatch.
• Drug Testing - In compliance with company policy, must pass a pre-employment drug test and additional in-season testing.
• Allergens - This position requires working with and/or being around raw and cooked shellfish, cleaning chemicals and other known allergens.
• Medical Review - A medical review is required. Must be medically fit to work onboard for safety and compliance.

BASE PAY

• Safari Voyager, $208.00 / day + $70 tip guarantee. Weekly tip amounts vary, the lowest being $70/day.

Pay Range

$208—$208 USD

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required or persons so classified or assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

It is the policy of UnCruise Adventures not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, marital status, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or veteran status in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by law.