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Ferry Captain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hornblower

Captain - Alcatraz Cruises

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$61.83/hr

City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group's Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private ... The Captain operates a United States Coast Guard (USCG) inspected small passenger vessel under ...

Hornblower

Captain - Pensacola City Ferry

Pensacola, FL · On-site

$26 - $29/hr

City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group's Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 ...

Hornblower

Marine Operations - Captain

Sacramento, CA · On-site

City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group's Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private ... The captain directs the crew on a day-to-day basis and must meet and maintain the minimum ...

Dewees Island

Ferry Deckhand

SC · On-site

Job Summary Assist the Captain with the safe operation of the ferry, ensuring passenger safety, helping with loading and unloading luggage, and maintaining the vessel's cleanliness and presentability.

Dewees Island

Ferry Deckhand

Dewees Island, SC · On-site

Job Summary Assist the Captain with the safe operation of the ferry, ensuring passenger safety, helping with loading and unloading luggage, and maintaining the vessel's cleanliness and presentability.

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How much do ferry captain jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for ferry captain in the United States is $37.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $41.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Ferry Captain position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Ferry Captain, you need comprehensive maritime navigation skills, vessel handling experience, and typically a valid captain’s license such as a USCG Master or Mate License. Familiarity with radar, GPS, electronic chart systems, and maritime communication devices is essential, along with knowledge of safety protocols and regulatory compliance. Leadership, clear communication, and strong decision-making skills are vital for managing crews and ensuring passenger safety under varying conditions. These capabilities are critical for safely transporting passengers and vehicles while maintaining efficient operations and compliance with maritime regulations.

What are the typical work schedules and team structures for Ferry Captains?

Ferry Captains often work in shifts that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on the ferry route and company schedule. They typically lead a team that includes deckhands, engineers, and customer service staff, ensuring smooth vessel operations and passenger experience. Coordination with shore-side personnel, port authorities, and emergency services is also a regular part of the job. This collaborative environment requires strong leadership and adaptability to handle changing schedules and unexpected challenges on the water.

What is a Ferry Captain job?

A Ferry Captain is responsible for operating and navigating a ferry to transport passengers, vehicles, or cargo across bodies of water safely. They manage the vessel's crew, oversee maintenance, and ensure compliance with maritime regulations. Their duties also include monitoring weather conditions, plotting secure routes, and responding to emergencies. Strong leadership, navigational expertise, and safety awareness are essential for this role.

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Ferry Captain jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ferry Captain job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $77,625 per year, or $37.3 per hour.
Captain - Alcatraz Cruises

Captain - Alcatraz Cruises

Hornblower

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$61.83/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Hornblower rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 9 rated cruise lines

Job description

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group's portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group's premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group's Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systemsHornblower Group's subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group's global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group's additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.
Position Summary:
The Captain operates a United States Coast Guard (USCG) inspected small passenger vessel under contract with the National Park Service between the San Francisco Waterfront, Alcatraz Island, and on adjacent routes in a manner that ensures the safety and security of the crew, enjoyment of passengers, and respect for the environment. A Captain is a vessel manager who leads, manages, supervises, and trains crew including First Officers, Deckhands and Captains. Captains plan and lead training and drills aboard vessels for emergency preparedness.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Serve as master in navigational command. Operate the vessel with due regard for proper watch standing and wheelhouse resource management standards, in accordance with the practice of good seamanship.
  • Have ultimate responsibility for the safe operation of the vessel and the safety of all crew and passengers.
  • Directly manage, supervise, and train first officers, deckhands, and other crewmembers in marine transportation safety, security and training.
  • Train Captains in company culture, best practices and standard operating procedures.
  • Participate in Marine Operations applicant interviews.
  • Have authority for maintaining good order, discipline, and accountability of assigned crew members by providing supervision and direction to crew and ensuring that crew members under Captain's supervision follow Company policies, rules, and regulations.
  • Take appropriate and swift disciplinary action of crew where necessary.
  • Monitor crew time and attendance for punctuality.
  • Review and approve crew timesheets; promote compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws.
  • Recommend and inform decisions to hire, terminate, or promote crew members.
  • Conduct regular crew performance reviews and assessments; provide feedback in a timely fashion to optimize crew performance. Mentor and lead the crew.
  • Regularly inspect all areas of the vessel for unsafe conditions, perform accident investigations, and make safety announcements to ensure the safety and comfort of the crew and passengers
  • Regularly plan and lead watch, quarter, and station bill emergency drills per USCG regulations. Plan and lead safety meetings per Alcatraz Cruises policy to ensure efficient and safe vessel operations and the proper use of equipment during any possible onboard emergency.
  • Maintain vessel operations and maintenance logs, personnel reports, and other required ship's business records.
  • Oversee transferring of pumping sewage and water.
  • Supervise crewmembers to ensure the maintenance of a clean workplace (i.e., rest rooms, trash, common areas, pilot house, and gangways).
  • Comply with all USCG regulations.
  • Exercise strong practical working knowledge of the Navigational Rules of the Road.
  • Comply with all National Park Service directives and Alcatraz Cruises policies, to ensure passengers, guests, and visitors to the Golden Gate National Recreational Area have a quality interpretive experience.
  • Implement vessel safety and security plans to ensure compliance with USCG Office of Homeland Security Rules and Regulations.
  • Lead by personal example of uniform appearance and grooming.
  • Set a high standard of personal and professional conduct for subordinates to emulate.
  • Ensure subordinates offer exceptional customer service and follow environmental practices (Respect Our Planet).
  • Through personal instruction and practice, set a positive example as a team leader for crew members, to the fulfillment of Alcatraz Cruises' policies, and the enjoyment of visitors to the Golden Gate National Recreational Area.
  • Comply with and enforce established policies and procedures.
  • Maintain current licenses and certifications.
  • Ensure regular work attendance by crew members, in conformance with Alcatraz Cruises standards. Hold crew members accountable. Communicate that irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
  • Ensure, upon employment, that all crewmembers fully comply with Alcatraz Cruises rules and regulations. Hold employees who violate Alcatraz Cruises rules and regulations accountable, up to and including termination of employment
  • Other duties as assigned

Requirements & Qualifications:
  • U.S. Coast Guard Inland Masters (100 ton) or equivalent
  • FCC Marine Radio License
  • Possess and maintain a current California driver's license and satisfactory driving record
  • Two (2) years of boat handling
  • Customer service experience is helpful
  • Knowledge of foreign language is helpful
  • Open schedule and ability to work any assigned schedule, including holidays and weekends
  • Ability to work a shift that may start as early as 4:30 am or end as late as 10:45 pm. Shifts are 8 hours.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
#AlcatrazCityCruises
The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.
EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.

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