Skipper
Salary: $100,000 - $120,000
Skippers are responsible for safely navigating vessels, managing crew and operations on board, and ensuring compliance with maritime rules while on the water.
In aquaculture a skipper may operate vessels that support aquaculture operations such as mussel, oyster or salmon farms. They may also be involved in farming activities like seeding, harvesting and maintenance of marine farm structures.
Skippers are responsible for the leadership and safety of everyone onboard.
What you’ll do
Here are key tasks typically performed by skippers:
Operate and navigate vessels safely within aquaculture marine areas
Manage crew and ensure they follow health and safety procedures
Monitor vessel stability and ensure seaworthiness
Maintain logs, records, and compliance with maritime regulations, Health and Safety and fisheries legislation
Monitor and respond to weather and sea conditions
Record operational and safety logs, including navigation and weather data.
What we’re looking for
Current Skipper Restricted Limits (SRL) ticket with 24m and 500-tonne endorsement.
Minimum of 3 years mussel farming experience preferred
Good leadership and communication skills
Build on your qualifications
You'll have the opportunity to learn and grow your skills:
Crane Operator training
Maritime General Radio Operators Certificate (MGROC) including VHF and Single Site Band marine radio.
Where to from here?
Become a Vessel Manager and oversee the daily operations, maintenance, and crewing of a ship.
Progress your career to Operations Manager if you are interested in a role with a wider organisational scope, managing the overall operations of a business, not limited to vessels.
Where to do further study
Skipper Training NZ
New Zealand School of Maritime
Toi Ohomai
NMIT
Westport Deep Sea Fishing School