Job Openings | The Gloucester Adventure

CAPTAIN :

We are looking for a full-time captain beginning with the lead-up to the 2023 season, which is also the celebration of 400 years since the founding of Gloucester, America’s oldest seaport. Besides operating the vessel and managing the crew, the Captain will work closely with the Executive Director and other staff to design and promote programming that furthers the mission of Adventure, shares the pride in schooner fishing heritage that she represents, and excite a new generation to turn to the sea for inspiration, recreation, and even meaningful employment.

The Captain will report to the Gloucester Adventure, Inc. Executive Director, and will collaborate with assigned Board Members to set preservation and maintenance priorities for the vessel. Additionally, the Captain will collaborate with the Education and Development and Community Outreach teams as a key member of the staff.

Program & Itinerary:

Adventure sails from June – September each year, doing a combination of public, educational charter and community sails. This summer we will be striving to offer free sails to local people from marginalized and underserved sectors of the community, as part of our belief that Adventure belongs to all of Gloucester and Cape Ann.

In 2023, Adventure will sail Wednesdays through Sundays, one or two sails per day. We also seek to expand access to the public through increased deck tours and public interface. Transits to other ports will be determined in consultation with the captain.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:
• Operational command of the National Historic Landmark schooner, Adventure
• Oversee maintenance of the ship in collaboration with the Vessel Committee, including year-around regular and emergency upkeep as well as scheduled haul-outs
• Prepare and manage the ship’s operating budget in conjunction with the organization’s Finance Committee
• Develop the work schedule for haul-outs in collaboration with the organization’s shipwright and other subcontractors and ensure that materials are on hand when needed
• Oversee up-rig & down-rig of equipment, sails and spars at start and end of season
• Work with Vessel Committee to identify winter maintenance/security priorities and plan for off-season
• Hire a seasonal crew of 7-9 members; ensure all paperwork, including CORI and drug testing is current
• Train the paid and volunteer crew in ship operations, safety and other pertinent regulations and practices
• Liaise with the Coast Guard for regular communication, schedule inspections and ensure the ship is awarded its annual Certificate of Inspection (COI)
• Manage paid crew, volunteer crew and ship’s maintenance volunteer schedules
• Supervise all of the ship’s sailing excursions, most of which are day-sails from her home port of Gloucester, MA, with occasional overnight visits to other New England ports
• Collaborate with administrative and education staff to deliver educational content for adults and youth school groups
• Ensure the paid and volunteer crew are fully prepared to support onboard and dockside educational programming
• Serve as the spokesperson for the vessel and the organization during day sails and dockside events, and during shoreside events involving the broader Gloucester community

Qualifications/Experience:

• Master 200 Ton Near Coastal or better license
• Previous command experience on traditional sailing vessels
• Excellent communication skills and a winning personality
• Comfort with Google Workspace, especially basic spreadsheet usage
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work with diverse groups of volunteers and staff
• Physical ability to work aboard a traditional, National Historic Landmark fishing schooner
• Pass USCG/DOT Drug Test & CORI Check

Required Certifications:

License Required: Master
Tonnage: 200t
STCW: AB Sail
Medical: CPR

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay range upon request depending on skills and experience. We are looking for someone who can start part-time remotely and help with crew hiring in early 2023, and arrive in Gloucester in early May to begin the sailing season. Benefits include paid time off and health insurance.

How to Apply

Contact Person: Stuart Siegel – stuart@schooner-adventure.org
Application Requirements: Resume, Cover Letter

DECKHAND :

Deckhands onboard Adventure are responsible for:
• safe and proper operation of the vessel during sailing evolutions;
• ongoing maintenance of the vessel;
• delivering educational curriculum;
• welcoming guests on board and proactively engaging with passengers;
• participating in dockside and community events.

As a deckhand, you must be willing to positively represent Adventure to the public, participate in all aspects of shipboard life (such as chores, sail prep, sailing, interfacing with the public, merchandise, maintenance, stowing gear, drills and training, etc). You will be living and working aboard the historic schooner Adventure with up to 9 other crew members and volunteers.

Deckhands may be assigned ancillary roles such as Purser, Bosun, and Educational Liaison based on skills and interest. These roles will include additional pay and responsibilities.

All crew will report directly to the Captain and mate. Paid crew will work closely with volunteer crew and land-based staff members to create the overall Adventure experience.

Program & Itinerary:

Qualifications/Experience:

• 18 years or older
• Physical ability to participate in activities, haul, climb, balance, lift, stoop, kneel, sit
• Fully vaccinated plus booster before the season begins.
• Must pass pre-employment drug test

Because Adventure currently does multiple short sails per day, this is a great opportunity to build and practice core skills. Each season we welcome one or two crew members with zero experience and introduce them to the world of tall ship sailing.

We are also looking for a ship’s engineer. We have a year-round (non-sailing) engineer who can train someone with moderate experience and help them grow their skills.

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay starts at $350 per week and increases depending on role and experience.
All meals and on-board lodging provided, as well as valuable training in sailing and education.