Employment

Position Overview

Employee serves as Master of the sailing vessel AJ Meerwald, a wooden, two-masted schooner. Responsibilities include the safe and efficient operation of the vessel, oversight of the crew, maintenance, port relations, programming and regulatory compliance. The captain is a member of the Bayshore Center at Bivalve’s senior management team and works to implement the organization’s strategic plan and make financially responsible decisions. The captain maintains excellent, constructive, supportive relationships with the USCG, port partners, crew, staff, and supporters. The captain reports to the Executive Director and provides input for budget planning and vessel report preparation. The captain must be prepared to be away from our home port in Port Norris, NJ for extended periods.

Position Full Time/ Seasonal – April 1st, 2027 through November 15th, 2027

The position includes room & board in the crew house or onboard the vessel and provisions 5 days a week/ 3 meals per day.

Duties

● Reports to the Executive Director concerning areas of responsibilities.

● Has ultimate responsibility for the safety of the passengers, volunteers and crew.

● Responsible for hiring and firing of AJM crew.

● Ensure that all personnel on board are familiar with safety precautions, procedures, and drills and that the required safety equipment is on board at all times.

● Responsible for timely inspections of vessels, safety, lifesaving, firefighting, and other emergency equipment to include annual USCG Certificate of Inspection requirements and insurance safety inspections.

● Ensures adherence to USCG, OSHA, NFPA and other applicable safety codes.

● Must maintain a high degree of awareness of budgetary constraints, and cost control.

● Ensure the highest quality service and programming is provided to passengers and students.

● Responsible for navigation of vessel, maintenance and upgrades on equipment.

● Responsible for the oversight of daily operation and maintenance of the schooner AJ Meerwald.

● Responsible for performing and supervising maintenance including oversight of maintenance during yard periods. (additional contacts may need to occur if yard time is beyond seasonal contract)

● Analyze needs and plan preventive maintenance programs and upgrades for systems.

● Recommends equipment and supply needs or issues to the Executive Director in written form.

● Maintains deck, engine, and radio logbooks.

● Promotes BCB to prospective passengers, students, donors, and the public.

● Develops and executes the annual port schedule.

● Budgetary responsibilities and oversight for crew, provisions and boat maintenance.

● Other related duties may be assigned.

Skills

● Exceptional sailing skills

● Sail making and sail repair rigging skills

● Excellent organization skills (oversight of daily work plans, crew responsibilities, etc)

● Ability to prioritize and to handle multiple projects simultaneously

● Good written, verbal and interpersonal skills required; ability to interact with all levels of staff

● Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations

– High degree of professionalism

● Displays strong leadership and collaboration skills

● Strong customer service skills

● Professional presentation, appearance, and work ethic

● Ability to work irregular / extended hours/weeks, including nights and weekends as required

● Ability to teach youth and adults content related to vessel maintenance, navigation, and

leadership

Requirements

● Must possess minimum 100-ton US Coast Guard License Near Coastal with Sailing endorsement

● Possess current TWIC

● Minimum of three years’ experience sailing tall-masted ships

● Marine Radio Operator’s Permit (COI vessel)

● CPR, First Aid (including AED)

● Valid driver’s license

● Prior teaching experience preferred.

● Sufficient computer skills to Google Workspace – Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, & Calendar.

Special Requirements

● Current Drug-Free screening certificate (will be enrolled in Maritime Consortium)

● Criminal Background check required

Physical/Environmental Requirements

● The physical requirements as outlined in the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Medical

Manual, COMDTINST M16721.48(series), are herein incorporated.

● Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

● Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

● Requires lifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, and pulling are required frequently.

● Frequent underway periods requiring time away from the Bayshore Center at Bivalve for

extended periods: weeks, overnight and weekends.

● This work includes sailing and maintenance work in outside areas, hot and cold weather, and exposure to elements such as the ocean, rain, salt spray, dirt, fumes, and loud noises.

Through the state’s official tall ship, the oyster schooner AJ Meerwald and an historic waterfront museum, the Bayshore Center at Bivalve (BCB) will advance the understanding of the human impact on New Jersey’s aquatic environment through education, advocacy, and programming. The organization owns and operates the historic Schooner AJ Meerwald, a sailing classroom and vehicle to enjoy the area waterways. The historic schooner AJ Meerwald is a 1928 Delaware Bay oyster boat. The 115-foot schooner was originally restored in 1995 and completed her second restoration in 2022.