Captain of motor vessel Mildred Belle

Start Date:
January 3, 2023

Job Description:
Full time salaried position aboard historic buyboat MILDRED BELLE (c. 1948). MILDRED BELLE runs educational day programs and occasional overnight programs based out of Baltimore and Washington DC. Sailing season runs from April through November. Winter months are spent on maintenance and program training. Complete job description available upon request.

Program & Itinerary:

Our STEM-based programs focus on Chesapeake Bay ecology and history as well as teamwork and cooperative training. MILDRED BELLE is an historic Chesapeake Bay buyboat, the kind of indigenous vessel that once plied the bay acting as a middleman, purchasing the day’s catch from watermen and bringing it to market. Buyboats also dredged crabs and hauled freight on the Bay. Our programs work with grade school students, grades 4-12, and also local college undergraduates, and focus on Bay studies including ecology, environmental studies, economics and history (including our Star Spangled Banner programs that focus on the War of 1812). Day programs typically feature trawl fishing and occasional oyster dredging, navigation, plankton studies and water quality testing. Occasional overnight programs flesh out these topics and activities and allow students to become immersed in Bay studies while also learning to operate this historic vessel. MILDRED BELLE’s operations are based out of Baltimore but she makes extended visits to Washington to serve local students of the National Capital Region.

Responsibilities:
The Captain is in charge of all vessel operations. Safety of the vessel and her people are paramount. The Captain is an active member of the education team and is expected to work directly with students, particularly during wheel house stations and navigation lessons. The Captain works with a crew of four to deliver an energetic and thoughtful education program and also to oversee daily maintenance tasks. The Captain works with the Director of Maritime Operations to create and complete larger and longer term maintenance projects. The Captain works alongside and supports the Education Coordinator to develop and deliver a high-quality program. MILDRED BELLE is a small vessel (54′ LOA, 22 GRT) with a small crew and the Captain is expected to be both a leader and a team player. A full Job Description is available upon request.

Qualifications/Experience:
Qualified candidates must possess a valid USCG Master’s credential, 50 gross tons, Inland. Additionally, candidates must have leadership and watch standing experience with traditional watercraft and possess a strong dedication to education of students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Previous experience with sail training programs and/or environmental programs are strongly desired. Candidates must be able to pass drug tests and criminal background checks to work with students. Further training to be provided includes Wilderness First Aid. Candidates must posses a valid US (state) drivers license.

Compensation & Benefits:
Annual salary $53,000. Health insurance, 401K, life insurance available. Opportunities for further trainings (WFR, Radar, etc)
 

Required Certifications
License Required: Master
Tonnage: 50t

How to apply:

Please email Peter Bolster Pete@livingclassrooms.org with a resume, references, and cover letter.