Role Overview Reports to: Marine Operations & Compliance Lead
Role Purpose
The Marine Skipper is responsible for the safe operation and presentation of company vessels, delivering a professional, safe and reliable service in a remote and exposed island environment.
The role delivers:
- Passenger transport
- crew transfers
- cargo transfers/ fuel transfers/logistics operations/guest transfers ·
- island support operations.
Marine Skippers operate a mixed fleet of small commercial vessels and are central to keeping a safe, professional and dependable service running every day.
About the Project
The Tanera Project is a large scale restoration and regeneration project off the coast of the Northwest Highlands. Our enduring charitable purpose is to provide rehabilitation and respite for people in high-stress public service roles. We host up to 1,000 charitable guests per year, run various research projects with associated academic institutions, and have a broad and varied volunteer programme.
The marine fleet is the lifeline of The Tanera Project, providing essential connectivity between the mainland and the island and supporting day-to-day operations, project delivery, research activity and events. It is a multi-vessel, multi-class commercial operation involving passenger transport, cargo movements and fuel transfers year round, including night operations, in a remote and exposed environment within a Marine Protected Area.
Key Responsibilities
- Vessel Operations — safely operate company vessels across passenger, crew, cargo and logistics movements, and fuel-transfer operations where authorised.
- Navigation & Seamanship — voyage planning, weather assessment, local and limited-visibility navigation, tidal awareness, sound decision-making and good seamanship practice.
- Passenger & Guest Experience — professional guest interaction; safe embarkation and disembarkation; customer service and guest care; represent the organisation well.
- Vessel Care & Presentation — maintain cleanliness, presentation and readiness; carry out daily readiness checks; uphold operational standards.
- Safety & Emergency Preparedness — emergency response and passenger safety; pollution prevention and spill response; incident reporting.
Essential Experience
- Candidates should demonstrate previous experience in one or more of the following:
- Commercial vessel operations.
- Passenger vessel operations.
- Crew transfer operations.
- Maritime Compliance & Advisory Services
- Logistics vessel operations.
- Commercial workboat operations. Landing craft operations.
- Fuel transfer operations.
- Operating vessels independently in exposed coastal waters.
- Safe passenger management. Weather-based operational decision making.
- Remote or challenging operational environments.
Essential Knowledge
Strong working knowledge of:
boat handling, seamanship, weather interpretation, tidal planning, passenger safety, marine safety and vessel care.
Desirable Knowledge
Local area knowledge · fuel-handling operations · marine logistics · commercial marine operations · guest operations · hospitality experience.
Experience conducting fuel transfer operations and handling fuel movements in accordance with company procedures is highly desirable.
Qualifications
Essential
- RYA Advanced Powerboat.
- Commercial Endorsement.
- ML5 Medical (or equivalent commercial medical).
- VHF / SRC. Sea Survival.
- Elementary First Aid.
- Basic Fire Fighting.
- Demonstrable commercial experience. Desirable
Higher commercial qualifications.
- Passenger operations experience.
- Hospitality exposure.
Ideal Candidate Profile
A safe, reliable and professional commercial skipper - practical, calm under pressure and service-orientated, comfortable working independently. At ease operating in challenging weather, and well suited to living and working in a remote island environment.
Full driving licence required, vehicle ownership advantageous.
Year round operations, including weekend and evening operations. Salary & Package Salary: Competitive - commensurate with experience and capability. Accommodation may be available for the right candidate.
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Financial planning services
- Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person
