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Marine Rescue Jobs in Melbourne, FL (NOW HIRING)

Marine Third Mate- Full Time This is a day cruise line with daily shift schedules requiring local ... An officer must be expert in the use of survival craft and rescue boats, their launching appliances ...

Marine Third Mate- Full Time This is a day cruise line with daily shift schedules requiring local ... An officer must be expert in the use of survival craft and rescue boats, their launching appliances ...

Marine Rescue information

See Melbourne, FL salary details

$9

$24

$35

How much do marine rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for marine rescue in Melbourne, FL is $24.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.72 and $29.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges faced when responding to marine emergencies as part of a Marine Rescue team?

Marine Rescue professionals often face rapidly changing weather conditions, unpredictable sea states, and limited visibility, which can make search and rescue operations challenging. Communication and coordination with other agencies, such as the Coast Guard or local authorities, are critical for a successful response. Team members must remain calm under pressure, adapt quickly to evolving situations, and be physically prepared for demanding tasks. Regular training and debriefings help teams learn from each mission and improve future responses.

How to Get a Job in Marine Rescue

Advanced positions in marine rescue require a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, natural science, or a related field, and becoming a vet requires four years of advanced education to earn qualifications as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. For community outreach roles, many organizations require a degree in education, and for internships, you must demonstrate a commitment to the field of conservation and enroll in a relevant four-year graduate or undergraduate program. Previous experience working with and caring for animals is important, and you also need strong communication skills, the ability to lift and carry fifty pounds or more, and a willingness to work outdoors, sometimes in extreme weather.

What is the difference between Marine Rescue vs Coast Guard Auxiliary?

AspectMarine RescueCoast Guard Auxiliary
CertificationsRescue certifications, CPR, first aidAuxiliary-specific training, certifications vary
Work EnvironmentOn-water rescue, emergency responseSupport roles, patrols, public education
Employer & IndustryMaritime rescue organizations, coast guardU.S. Coast Guard, volunteer support

Marine Rescue personnel focus on emergency on-water rescue operations, requiring specialized rescue and medical certifications. Coast Guard Auxiliary members support these efforts through patrols, safety education, and auxiliary assistance, often with different certification requirements. Both roles operate within the maritime safety industry but serve distinct functions in emergency response and community support.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Marine Rescue professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Marine Rescue professional, you need strong swimming ability, water safety expertise, first aid/CPR certification, and often a background in emergency response or maritime operations. Familiarity with rescue boats, communication devices, GPS navigation, and sometimes advanced life-saving certifications are typically required. Quick decision-making, teamwork, resilience, and excellent communication are crucial soft skills for this high-pressure role. These skills ensure the effective, safe, and timely rescue of individuals in marine emergencies, minimizing risks to both victims and rescuers.

What is marine rescue?

Marine rescue refers to the specialized field of responding to emergencies in aquatic environments, such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. Professionals in marine rescue are trained to save lives, assist vessels in distress, and conduct search and rescue operations during maritime accidents. Their work often involves coordinating with other emergency services and using boats, helicopters, and specialized equipment to reach people in need. Marine rescue teams play a critical role in ensuring the safety of those who work or travel on the water.
What are popular job titles related to Marine Rescue jobs in Melbourne, FL? For Marine Rescue jobs in Melbourne, FL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Marine Rescue jobs in Melbourne, FL look for? The top searched job categories for Marine Rescue jobs in Melbourne, FL are:
What cities near Melbourne, FL are hiring for Marine Rescue jobs? Cities near Melbourne, FL with the most Marine Rescue job openings:
Infographic showing various Marine Rescue job openings in Melbourne, FL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,567 per year, or $24.8 per hour.
Third Mate

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Marine Third Mate- Full Time
This is a day cruise line with daily shift schedules requiring local availability and reliable transportation.
Current credentials-
Mate Unlimited
Marine National Endorsement Near Coastal or higher.
Full time Mates job sailing daily form Port Canaveral.
Home every night.
Unlimited time for license upgrades.
A third mate is a licensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. The third mate is a watchstander and customarily the ship's safety officer and fourth-in-command. The position is junior to a second mate. Other duties vary depending on the type of ship, its crewing, and other factors.
Duties related to the role of safety officer focus on responsibility for items such as firefighting equipment, lifeboats, and various other emergency systems.
Watchstanding
International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations require the officer be fluent in the English language. This is required for a number of reasons. Examples include the ability to read charts and nautical publications, understand weather and safety messages, communicate with other ships and coast stations, and to successfully interact with a multi-lingual crew.
General Watchstanding
Emergencies can happen at any time. The officer must be ready at all times to safeguard passengers and crew. After a collision or grounding, the mate must be able to take initial action, perform damage assessment and control, and understand the procedures for rescuing persons from the sea, assisting ships in distress, and responding to any emergency which may arise in port.
Controlling ship operations
The officer has special responsibilities to keep the ship, the people on board and the environment safe. This includes keeping the ship seaworthy during fire and loss of stability, and providing aid and maintaining safety during man overboard, abandoning ship, and medical emergencies.
Understanding ship's stability, trim, stress, and the basics of ship's construction is a key to keeping a ship seaworthy. The mate must know what to do in cases of flooding and loss of buoyancy. Fire is also a constant concern. Knowing the classes and chemistry of fire, fire-fighting appliances and systems prepares the officer to act fast in case of fire.
An officer must be expert in the use of survival craft and rescue boats, their launching appliances and arrangements, and their equipment including radio life-saving appliances, satellite EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suits and thermal protective aids. In case it is necessary to abandon ship, it is important to be expert in the techniques for survival at sea.
Officers are trained to perform medical tasks and to follow instructions given by radio or obtained from guides. This training includes what to do in case of common shipboard accidents and illnesses.
Sea watch
At sea, the mate on watch has three fundamental duties: to navigate the ship, to safely avoid traffic, and to respond to any emergencies that may arise. Mates generally stand watch with able seamen who act as helmsman and lookout. The helmsman executes turns and the lookout reports dangers such as approaching ships. These roles are often combined to a single helmsman/lookout and, under some circumstances, can be eliminated completely. The ability to smartly handle a ship is key to safe watchstanding. A ship's draught, trim, speed and under-keel clearance all affect its turning radius and stopping distance. Other factors include the effects of wind and current, squat, shallow water and similar effects. Ship handling is key when the need arises to rescue a person overboard, to anchor, or to moor the ship.
Victory Casino Cruises has a No Visible Tattoo Policy.
For this position you must be cleared of all hand, face & neck tattoos.
You will be required to obtain a TWIC and MMC. Acceptable documents to obtain badging are Passport OR Government issued photo ID and certified copy of Birth Certificate. Supporting documents would be needed for a name change.