Ship Second Mate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Second Mate with Lindblad Expeditions, you're far more than a watchstander—you're a key part of the navigational team guiding guests safely through some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth. From plotting the safest course through narrow coastal waterways to navigating open-sea passages, you'll combine sharp technical skill with sound judgment to keep the ship, crew, and guests moving safely toward the next great discovery. Beyond the bridge, you'll drive Zodiacs, help train and mentor crew, and ensure the vessel's navigation and safety systems are always ready for whatever the expedition brings.

This position is ideal for a licensed mariner who thrives on responsibility, enjoys the technical challenge of navigation and voyage planning, and wants their work to directly shape an unforgettable guest experience. You'll serve as a vital link on the bridge team aboard one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where precision, safety, and calm decision-making under pressure are always top priorities. If you're ready to put your maritime license to work in some of the world's most extraordinary waters, we'd love to have you aboard.

WORK SCHEDULE

The Second Mate works approximately 12 hours per day of varied hours, on an approximately 6 weeks on/6 weeks off rotational schedule. Daily 12-hour shifts are comprised of standing two watches, administrative work, and small boat operations.

Watch Duty

• Performs bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods; determines the ship's geographical position using all available means, including GPS, radar ranges, visual observations, and depth sounders.
• Makes necessary entries in navigation and radio logs.
• Handles the vessel, as directed by the Captain, in docking, anchoring, piloting, en route travel, close-quarters maneuvering, and open sea conditions.
• Navigates to avoid marine hazards such as reefs, outlying shoals, and shallow waters, using aids to navigation such as lights, lighthouses, and buoys.

Safety & Security

• Participates in onboard safety training, meetings, and drills as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding, and medical emergencies.
• Participates in shoreside training as required by the company.
• Relieves and/or performs gangway watch as directed by the duty schedule.
• Maintains familiarity with the ISM Code and its requirements.
• Maintains familiarity with all duties under the company's Safety Management System, including Emergency Response activities.

Small Boat Operations

• Drives inflatable boats as necessary.
• Assists with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.

Administrative

• Maintains navigation bridge supply inventories and requisitions.
• Performs chart and publication corrections, and maintains the vessel's chart inventory using U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard Notices to Mariners.
• Calculates and posts daily sunrise/sunset times and tide and current information.
• Creates the Voyage Plan waypoint spreadsheet for the Captain's review and approval, and enters voyage itinerary waypoints into GPS.
• Creates and maintains the New Hire Checklist, ensuring each Training Officer is aware of completion deadlines for employee training.
• Creates Training Completion Certificates for all shipboard training and sends them to the Seattle Office.
• Maintains electronic copies of all external and shipboard training certificates for each crew member onboard.

• Experience as Mate operating a passenger vessel, including navigation and bridge watch responsibilities, maintaining navigation/communications equipment, and performing chart corrections.
• Experience operating port-to-port between Southeast Alaska, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the Gulf of California, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama (including the Panama Canal).
• Excellent crisis management skills; ability to act quickly with confidence while exercising sound judgment.
• Good customer service skills: professional demeanor, ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy.
• Strong time management skills; able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Communication Skills: Must possess the ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
• Mathematical Skills: Able to perform voyage planning and navigational calculations.

• Minimum USCG Mate 500 GRT Near Coastal and OICNW greater than 500 GT STCW Endorsement required. 
• Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification required.  
• Valid TWIC card required. 
• Valid US Passport required. 
• Valid USCG Medical Card per STCW standards (2 years) 
• STCW Advanced Firefighting (AFF) Certification required. 
• STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) within last 5 years required. 
• STCW Crowd Management (CM) required.
• STCW Crisis Management and Human Behavior (CMHB) required. 
• STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boat (PSC) required. 
• GMDSS License required. 
• ECDIS required. 
• ARPA required.
• Radar Observer (RO) endorsement required. 
• Department of Transportation (DOT) Specimen Collector required. 
• ECDIS Type-Specific Training provided. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.