Chief Mate

Brice Marine LLCSeasonal (Fixed Term) (Seasonal)

Pay Range: $675 - $706 per day

Season Schedule: Approximately 6 months throughout the year, may vary depending on project needs and weather.

Why choose us?

Our founding company was built more than 50 years ago and has a legacy of welcoming new employees with our commitment to provide the best place to work by inspiring financial security and premier health and wellness programs for you and your family while enjoying an adventurous and dynamic culture. 

Our employees’ commitment to protecting the environment is intrinsic and deeply rooted, both individually and collectively at Brice, giving you purpose driven work that is impactful. We pride ourselves on our reputation for anticipating client needs. You can count on Brice Companies to be there when you need us most.  

What does Brice Marine LLC do?

Construction operations in Alaska are logistically challenging, with many communities only accessible by water or air. Continuing its commitment to excellence, Brice decided to invest in marine capabilities. In 1973, Brice Marine was established with the refurbishment of a surplus Navy LCU. Over 40 years later, Brice Marine transports employees, equipment, fuel, and materials to remote sites around the world. Its vessels have navigated some of the most difficult stretches of water and successfully delivered equipment despite bad weather, shallow water, and challenging conditions. The company also engineered a cutting-edge tug/barge design that streamlines the shipping process.

What can you expect?

As the Chief Mate, you are responsible for the day-to-day activities of the deck crew. You will be second in command of the vessel and person in charge when the Captain is not on the bridge. You will oversee vessel navigation and supervise cargo operations. Other responsibilities include maintaining the cargo gear and cargo, checking the emergency and firefighting equipment, scheduling the deck crew, and ensuring the stability of the ship.

How will you do it?

• You will supervise the crew in their daily duties under the direction of the Captain.
• Assist the Captain in ensuring the maintenance, safety and welfare of the crew, equipment, and cargo under his control.
• Schedule and supervise all work in the deck department.
• Coordinate with the engineer and assign crew to perform duties in the engine room when required.
• Maintain vessel records including but not limited to:
• Wheelhouse Logs
• Paper
• Electronic
• Payroll
• Vessel General Permit (VGP)
• Safety meetings notes
• Drills
• Telephone usage
• Fuel consumption
• Vessel and barge condition reports.
• You will maintain communication with appropriate company offices to communicate changes in schedule, customer information, arrival and departure times, and any accidents, injuries, or environmental issues.
• Act as the company representative in the field with customers and regulatory agents in accordance with company policy when the Captain is not available.
• Ensure that charts, navigational aids, safety manuals, vessel operations plan, barge and tug documents are on board the tug, readily available and up to date.
• Implement and adhere to the company safety, environmental plans, and procedures.
• Ensure that all employees follow all company procedures as required by the appropriate agencies, both State and Federal.
• Prepare weekly toolbox safety meeting and all documentation relating to it.
• Navigate tug and barge combination to destination while avoiding reefs, outlying shoals, and other hazards to shipping by utilizing navigation aids such as charts, radar, AIS, depth finder, compass, and GPS.
• Direct loading and unloading at destinations including but not limited to landing selection, lines placement, ramp placement, and lighting as appropriate. 
• Ensures correct cargo is loaded and unloaded safely and that cargo is lashed properly.
• Prepare short- and long-term planning to accomplish the vessel and company goals.
• Work and live on vessel for extended periods of time

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has supervisory responsibilities when delegated to act as person in charge.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of all Marine state and federal regulations.
• Technical knowledge of various Marine concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to perform the job in a safe and seamanlike manner in accordance with all company policies and procedures and state and federal regulations.
• Advance knowledge in reading, understanding, and interpreting barge stability data, tank strapping charts, various tables, safety manuals, navigation books, and environmental manuals.
• Advance knowledge with utilizing navigation aids such as charts, radar, AIS, depth finder, compass, and GPS.
• Specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, tides, and current.
• Ability to comply with and enforce standard policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of equipment, policies, procedures to promote the safe and effective operations of a cargo vessel.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for moving cargo by sea.
• Advanced knowledge on appropriate use of the emergency equipment located on the boat.
• Ability to create, read, and understand complex documents, construction plans and specifications.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations.
• Ability to detect issues, and exercise resourcefulness in resolving problems.
• Ability to solve personnel problems, make clear rational decisions in a crisis, and clearly formulate and communicate orders, coupled with the ability to perform both short and long-term planning to accomplish vessel and company goals.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to be reliable, responsible, and dependable and able to fulfill obligations.
• Ability to be careful about details and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Ability to remain focused and aware of surroundings.
• Ability to travel to remote locations for work related purposes for extended periods of time (approximately 100% of the time, as needed).
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and efficient manner.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule sometimes including weekends and holidays.

Who is Brice Marine LLC looking for?

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) as Mate of Towing Vessels with an Unlimited Radar Observer endorsement, AB, 100-ton Master and 200-ton Mate of Towing
• HAZMAT with refresher every three (3) years preferred. 
• Must be able to pass and maintain a Coast Guard physical exam for merchant mariners.
• Valid driver’s license record and must be qualified to operate a vehicle under the conditions of the Company’s Driving Polices.
• Ability to pass a drug, driving, and background screening.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous Alaska water navigation experience preferred.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Brice Marine has a fast-paced multi-tasking environment requiring a high degree of efficient and effective performance.

The length of navigation season in Western and Interior Alaska is dictated by the spring break-up of the ice and the low water and return of ice in late fall. The actual navigation season lasts approximately 180 days. Crews normally work the entire season, 7 days a week, 12 hours per day, without any time off other than vessel downtime. This work is not for everyone. It requires a commitment to be away from home for long periods of time which can be emotionally challenging. Requires a demeanor that can adapt to changing conditions and varying personalities with decorum and professionalism while in close quarters.

While underway, the deckhand works shifts of 12 hours at the direction of the Captain or Chief Mate.

More reasons you will love working with Brice Marine LLC:

• Competitive wages and bonus programs – We believe in developing our employees to progressively advance in their careers.  We achieve this by providing you with annual performance reviews with recommendations on training to achieve your goals.
• Mentorship Program designed for employees to formalize a working relationship between seasoned professionals and young professionals to develop specific areas of knowledge to grow their careers within the family of companies.
• Health insurance through the Federal Employee Benefit Program (FEHB) with many plans to choose from with ridiculously low employee premiums.
• Dental and Vision Insurance.
• FSA health care and/or dependent care/HSA with HDHP.
• Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.
• Company paid Life Insurance, AD&D.
• Voluntary paid Life Insurance and AD&D as well as STD, Accident, Cancer/Critical illness, and Whole Life Insurance.
• Ten (10) paid holidays. *When regularly scheduled to work that day.
• 401k match at 50% up to 6% of your contribution.

*Benefits may vary based on status of position and subject to associated plan eligibility provisions, or company handbook. For questions, please email the Human Resources Department at

[email protected]  

How do you apply?

Please visit our careers page at www.calistabrice.com and select Brice Marine LLC under the company tab.

You have questions, or need assistance with applicant accommodation, how do you reach a recruiter from Brice Maine LLC?  Simply reach out to [email protected]  

As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

Join us and let’s get started!

For the full job description including physical and environmental demands please reach out to [email protected]

PREFERENCE STATEMENT
Preference will be given to Calista shareholders and their descendants and to spouses of Calista shareholders, and to shareholders of other corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g).

EEO STATEMENT
Additionally, it is our policy to select, place, train and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, so as to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status. When applicable, our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, placement, layoff, compensation, termination, reduction in force and benefits.
 
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
It is Calista and Subsidiaries' business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.
 
The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.
 
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.