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Part Time Boat Captain Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Boatswain's Mate

Yorktown, VA · On-site

$22 - $24.75/hr

Skills You'll Learn Boat operations Seamanship and navigation Leadership Training You'll Get * BMs ... Both full-time and part-time Coast Guard-funded educational opportunities that lead to an associate ...

Part Time Boat Captain information

See Virginia salary details

$5

$25

$48

How much do part time boat captain jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for part time boat captain in Virginia is $25.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.96 and $30.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a part time boat captain do?

A part time boat captain is responsible for operating and navigating boats or small vessels on a limited or flexible schedule. Their duties typically include ensuring passenger safety, performing routine maintenance, following maritime regulations, and sometimes handling customer service tasks such as giving tours or managing charters. Part time boat captains may work for tour companies, private owners, or rental services, often during busy seasons or special events. They must hold appropriate licenses and certifications, and have a strong knowledge of local waterways and safety procedures.

What are some common challenges faced by part time boat captains and how can they be managed?

Part-time boat captains often face challenges such as adapting quickly to different vessels, fluctuating schedules, and varying crew dynamics. Learning the specifics of each boat and establishing clear communication with both crew and clients are essential for smooth operations. Additionally, staying up to date with licensing requirements and local regulations helps ensure compliance and safety. Building flexibility and strong organizational skills can greatly aid in managing these challenges and providing a high-quality experience for passengers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a part time boat captain?

To thrive as a Part Time Boat Captain, you need a solid understanding of maritime navigation, vessel operation, and safety regulations, typically supported by a valid captain’s license such as a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, marine radios, and safety equipment inspections is essential. Strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills help ensure passenger safety and effective crew coordination. These skills and qualifications are crucial for safe vessel operation, compliance with maritime laws, and delivering a positive experience for passengers.

What is the difference between Part Time Boat Captain vs Part Time Marine Deckhand?

AspectPart Time Boat CaptainPart Time Marine Deckhand
Required CertificationsCaptain's license, CPR, first aidSTCW certification, basic safety training
Work EnvironmentOperate boats, oversee crew, ensure safetyAssist with docking, maintenance, safety procedures
Employer & Industry UsageMarinas, charter companies, private ownersMarinas, commercial vessels, cruise lines
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles work on boats, a Part Time Boat Captain is responsible for navigating and managing the vessel, requiring a captain's license. A Part Time Marine Deckhand assists with operational tasks and safety but does not hold a captain's license. The roles often overlap in work environment and industry but differ in responsibilities and certifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Boat Captain jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Boat Captain jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Part Time Boat Captain jobs in Virginia? For Part Time Boat Captain jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Part Time Boat Captain jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Part Time Boat Captain jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Part Time Boat Captain jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Part Time Boat Captain job openings:
Infographic showing various Part Time Boat Captain job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,072 per year, or $25.5 per hour.

City Cruises ALX - Part Time Boat Captain

Hornblower

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$25/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 17 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 successful Captain will greet all guests and ensure each guest is attended to in an appropriate manner ensuring consistently high levels of safety, quality, service, and guest satisfaction while maintaining a high level of profitability.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Cruise Execution
  • Rotate as cruise captain on cruises and ensure adherence to procedures detailed in the Product Management Guide. This includes thorough pre-cruise preparation, adherence to cruise scripts, supervision of crew, proper piloting of vessel, adherence to all Coast Guard rules and regulations, and guest satisfaction
  • Gather pertinent cruise event details from the other departments to ensure special guest requests are fulfilled thereby ensuring complete guest satisfaction
  • Conduct pre-cruise meetings and communicate to crew all necessary information regarding the cruise (special needs, boarding procedures, etc.)
  • Ensure that staff and guests adhere to all safety standards and procedures
  • Participate in the execution of the Safety Program, including emergency drills
  • Participate in the proper maintenance of all ship's systems and boarding facilities including but not limited to gangways, diesel, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, water (potable, raw, black, and gray), fire suppression, communications, and navigation
  • Ensure adherence to Coast Guard rules and regulations, and other federal and local rules and regulations
  • Ensure strict compliance to Emergency Response Plan
  • Execute other projects as assigned by management

Operations Team Management
  • Recruit non-exempt operations staff (crew) when necessary to fill vacant positions
  • Deliver training to new crew
  • Schedule crew according to staffing matrix
  • Adhere to Company's performance management guidelines for all discipline and termination situations
  • Recommend to Marine Management the promotion of crew to full-time annual positions
  • Develop positive working relationships with city department heads and peers
  • Develop strong teamwork within the staff

Guest Service
  • Resolve guest problems using strong guest service skills and exercising effective communication skills in keeping with company objectives and guest retention
  • Oversee the implementation and execution of safety programs in accordance with Coast Guard regulations and established Company policies

Administration
  • Complete all shift records: checklist, logbook, payroll, and documentation of safety training
  • Ensure that incident reports are completed accurately and promptly
  • Participate in administration of payroll system including scheduling, checking, transmitting, and processing
  • Execute collateral duties as assigned by Marine Management: uniforms, crew training, safety training, recruiting, scheduling crew and routine vessel maintenance
  • Schedule crew work periods to achieve maximum payroll efficiency
  • Attend all scheduled meetings
  • Assist in accounting assistance including invoice processing

Other Duties and Responsibilities
  • Additional job duties as assigned

Requirements & Qualifications:
  • High school diploma or equivalent required
  • Must currently possess 100-ton license with a satisfactory record
  • Minimum of five (5) years of marine experience-preferably to include two (2) years as a captain with an outstanding record
  • Detailed working knowledge of all ship's systems and their proper maintenance: gangways, diesel, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, water (potable, raw, black, and gray), fire suppression, communications, and navigation
  • Must be able to operate vessel in accordance with all Coast Guard rules and procedures
  • Vessel handling and navigation knowledge required
  • Able to communicate effectively in oral and written form
  • Able to effectively deal with internal and external guests some of whom will require high levels of patience tact and diplomacy
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
  • Ability to analyze and solve problems
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities/tasks
  • Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (especially Word & Excel)

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to work onboard a moving vessel in varying weather and sea conditions, including maintaining balance and stability while underway.
  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, frequently throughout a shift.
  • Ability to navigate stairs, ladders, narrow passageways, and confined spaces commonly found onboard vessels.
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull supplies, equipment, and inventory weighing up to 40 pounds independently.
  • Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and perform repetitive motions as required in food service and hospitality operations.
  • Ability to respond quickly and effectively during normal operations, guest service situations, and emergency procedures.
  • Ability to safely work in a fast-paced environment with exposure to moving equipment, wet surfaces, temperature variations, and moderate noise levels.
  • Ability to visually inspect service areas, food presentation, cleanliness standards, and safety conditions.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with guests, crew members, and management in person and via radio or other communication devices.
  • Successfully complete vessel-specific safety and emergency training.
  • Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as operational needs require.

Work Environment
  • Work is performed primarily onboard a Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel, with duties split between dining, service, storage, galley-adjacent, and administrative areas.
  • Position requires regular movement throughout multiple decks and may involve occasional exposure to outdoor marine environments, including heat, humidity, rain, wind, and sunlight.
  • Must be able to safely perform duties while the vessel is docked or underway.

#CityCruisesUS
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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