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How to hire a port captain

Port captain hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring port captains in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a port captain is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new port captain to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a port captain, step by step

To hire a port captain, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a port captain:

Here's a step-by-step port captain hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a port captain job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new port captain
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a port captain do?

Port captains must have skills in vessel maintenance, safety programs, USCG, cargo operations, and ABS. This career requires a U.S. Coast Guard Deck license, with licensure as a Master being preferrable, as well as five years' experience working with vessels in a leadership capacity. Those who embark on this career path supply their maritime expertise to prepare ships. They ensure that all vessels contain the necessary equipment and crew for their respective missions.

Learn more about the specifics of what a port captain does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The port captain hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A port captain's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, port captains from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of port captains and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Port CaptainDescriptionHourly rate
    Port CaptainWater transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. The vessels travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean and to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country’s many inland waterways.$16-45
    CaptainCaptains oversee the entire operations of a sea vessel, usually ships. Their main responsibility is to ensure that the vessel safely travels from point A to point B... Show more$14-40
    Boat CaptainA boat captain is primarily in charge of spearheading and overseeing boat operations and managing staff, ensuring efficient operations for a safe and successful voyage. With their years of experience, they have the authority to develop and implement strategies, delegate responsibilities among staff, conduct safety inspections before and after every journey, direct maintenance strategies, implement solutions if issues arise, and make significant decisions... Show more$13-31
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Vessel Operations
    • Safety Program
    • USCG
    • Cargo Operations
    • ABS
    • US Coast Guard
    • Vessel Compliance
    • Internal Audit
    • ISM
    • Management System
    • Disciplinary Actions
    • Capt
    • Dry Docking
    • Stcw
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
    • Maintain boats to USCG standards in image and maintanence.
    • Supervise all schedules, budgets, payroll, and inspections including maintenance and USCG.
    • Direct the installation, operation and maintenance of military radio and telecommunications assets for combat infantry units and fix telephone facilities.
    • Monitor operations to consistently meet BP requirements.
    More port captain duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your port captain job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A port captain salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, port captains' average salary in wyoming is 31% less than in new jersey.
    • Seniority. Entry-level port captains earn 64% less than senior-level port captains.
    • Certifications. A port captain with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a port captain's salary.

    Average port captain salary

    $57,720yearly

    $27.75 hourly rate

    Entry-level port captain salary
    $34,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025

    Average port captain salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New Jersey$65,553$32
    2Massachusetts$57,285$28
    3Indiana$53,743$26
    4Indiana$53,683$26
    5Washington$52,252$25
    6Texas$51,645$25
    7Texas$51,623$25
    8Texas$51,608$25
    9Florida$51,450$25
    10Louisiana$50,760$24
    11Georgia$49,218$24

    Average port captain salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Crowley Holdings Inc.$61,305$29.47
    2HealthTrust$54,975$26.43
    3reLogistics Services, LLC$54,524$26.21
    4Allied Universal$41,351$19.88
  4. Writing a port captain job description

    A good port captain job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a port captain job description:

    Port captain job description example

    The Port Captain position is a hybrid position coordinating between Nautical Operations, Safety and Engineering. The nature of this position requires the individual to collaborate with Engineering, Safety on assigned projects to improve vessel operations and delivery of the UnCruise product. This position reports to the Director of Nautical Operations. This position is a Seattle based five-day work week position with some travel required (25% to 35%).

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES

    Vessel Oversight/Monitoring, Documentation and Administrative Duties

    • Communicate with Flag, Classification Society and other Agency representatives as needed for the Safari Voyager – will work in concert with the Safety Department.
    • Manage the upkeep and recordkeeping associated with ship’s certificates for Safari Voyager, and domestic fleet for FDA, ADEC, USCG.
    • Assist with researching application of new regulations to company vessels. Contextualizes new industry guidance to determine priority levels for vessel improvements.
    • Coordinate vessel moorage reservations for all destinations.
    • In conjunction with the Director of Nautical Operations provides expertise and support on development of onboard training resources and references and selects policies, procedures, and reference materials for improvement which include but are not limited to small boat training, Deck Assessments, Watch Officer Assessments, Engineering Assessments, Familiarizations, navigation equipment and procedure management.
    • In coordination with the Safety Manager, reviews and responds as appropriate to all deck related Preventative Maintenance Program (PMP) items due and filed in the SINEX system, the company’s PMP software database.
    • In coordination with the Safety Manager, organizes and develops deck related Master Vessel Files.
    • Coding and approving of designated invoices for engineering, deck and safety.

    Emergency Response:

    • Participates in the Company's Shoreside Incident Response Plan as a team member as requested
    • Provide Contingency support during vessel or medical emergencies as requested.

    Supervisory, Personnel Management, and Vessel Support Duties

    • Communicates hiring needs to recruit during both in-season operations and off-season maintenance periods.
    • Manages placement needs of Mates (second interview when in season)
    • Assists Engineering with interviewing and placement of chief and assistant Engineers as needed
    • Resolves scheduling issues that cannot be resolved between vessel ops managers and Captain.
    • Maintains active knowledge of deck and engineering personnel job performance, as well as review of onboard performance evaluations. Working with Vessel Captains to ensure employee files are up to date.
    • Provides watch standing and operational training and support to new Mates and Captains, serving as pilot or trainer onboard any of the vessels as needed.
    • In conjunction with the Director of Nautical Operations train, coach, and guide Captains and subordinates in proactively managing onboard personnel, providing oversight of onboard performance coaching, corrective action documentation, and crew promotion/performance conversations.
    • Ensure that all Deck officers are properly trained in performing regulatory duties, and that all vessel personnel comply with regulatory training requirements.
    • Attend the vessels regularly and provides watch standing and operational training and support to mates and captains when needed - potentially serving as pilot or trainer on board.
    • Support the vessel Masters and/or Project Managers during yard projects. Provide expertise, budget support, and vendor assistance in conjunction with Engineering Department.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    • Minimum 5 years’ experience as a watch officer or engineer Experience in the overnight small ship cruise industry on passenger carrying vessels, preferred.
    • Understanding of vessel engineering, working in the engineering department or directly working alongside them.
    • Proficient user of computer systems, with the ability to utilize internet browsers, and MS software applications in a Windows environment, particularly Excel and Word.
    • Technical and regulatory knowledge of the maritime industry. Technical knowledge is needed to know what the vessel’s requirements are to both be compliant in regulation and to deliver the UnCruise product.
    • Familiarity with our areas of operation in Southeast Alaska, the Snake and Columbia Rivers, and/or the Gulf of California, Mexico, Hawaii, Belize, Panama, and Costa Rica, preferred.
    • Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to review and synthesize large amounts of information and make sound decisions about how best to organize and communicate that information to a diverse audience.

    Communication Skills

    • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present sensitive information in one-on-one situations, and comfort with public speaking in group situations.
    • Excellent written English language skills, with the ability to prepare professional documents and reports in a timely manner.
    • Ability to maintain a professional demeanor at all times and the ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy.

    Required Licenses, Certificates, Registrations

    • Current or past (last 5 years) issuance of a minimum 100 ton Near Coastal U.S. Coast Guard Master's License or equivalent marine engineering experience.
    • Current or past (last 5 years) issuance of STCW Basic Training, Advanced Firefighting, Crowd, Crisis, and Bridge Resource Management.

    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

    • Cruise Benefit – Explore the world as our guests do: employees receive one complimentary cruise for two people every year, after each year of employment.
    • Health and Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and flexible spending account options.
    • 401k – Employees are eligible after 1 year of employment.
    • Time off – Enjoy ten company-paid holidays annually. Earn paid vacation and sick time throughout the year, and qualify for more vacation days as you gain tenure.
    • Give Back to the Community – Make a difference by volunteering for non-profit and community organizations that you choose using two company-paid VTO (volunteer time off) days each year.
    • Eco-Commute Earn $10/day when you commute to work without the use of a single-occupancy motorized vehicle. You can carpool, walk, bike, take the bus, or kayak.
    • Free Parking – Employees park for free at our Seattle office on days they commute by car.

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS

    Must be able to work in a standard office environment with sitting, typing, and writing for 8 to 10 hours per day.

    WORK SCHEDULE

    The Port Captain works 5 days a week, 40 hours, work schedule shifts due to business demands during our peak season. Work hours are flexible with partial remote work available. 12-hour days are common when on board for inspections, emergency fill in, and audits.

    DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

    This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required, or persons so classified or assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    It is the policy of UnCruise Adventures not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, marital status, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or veteran status in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by law.

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  5. Post your job

    To find the right port captain for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with port captains they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit port captains who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your port captain job on Zippia to find and recruit port captain candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit port captains, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new port captain

    Once you have selected a candidate for the port captain position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new port captain first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a port captain?

There are different types of costs for hiring port captains. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new port captain employee.

The median annual salary for port captains is $57,720 in the US. However, the cost of port captain hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a port captain for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $16 and $45 an hour.

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