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Tow Boat Cook Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Terral RiverService

BOAT PILOT

Lettsworth, LA · On-site

Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements ...

Terral River Service Inc

BOAT PILOT

Channelview, TX · On-site

Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements ...

Terral RiverService

BOAT PILOT

Channelview, TX · On-site

Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements ...

Terral River Service Inc

BOAT PILOT

Lettsworth, LA · On-site

Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements ...

TerralRiver Service

BOAT PILOT

Lettsworth, LA · On-site

Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements:

TerralRiver Service

BOAT PILOT

Channelview, TX · On-site

Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements:

genesis

AB Marine Vessels Offshore

Houston, TX · On-site

Making up the tow; * Dropping, spotting and switching barges at docks; * Assisting the vessel and ... Cleaning the boat; * Cleaning quarters, including personal quarters; * Cleaning the wheelhouse and ...

genesis

AB Marine Vessels Offshore

Houston, TX

Making up the tow; * Dropping, spotting and switching barges at docks; * Assisting the vessel and ... Cleaning the boat; * Cleaning quarters, including personal quarters; * Cleaning the wheelhouse and ...

genesis

Tankerman Marine Vessels Inland

Houston, TX · On-site

Operational Duties * Making up the tow; * Dropping, spotting and switching barges at docks ... Housekeeping Duties * Cleaning the boat; * Cleaning quarters, including personal quarters;

Terral RiverService

BOAT PILOT - FLEET

Blytheville, AR · On-site

$21.75 - $29/hr

Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements ...

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Tow Boat Cook information

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$11

$22

$40

How much do tow boat cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for tow boat cook in the United States is $22.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a tow boat cook?

Tow Boat Cooks are responsible for preparing and serving meals for the crew aboard towboats, which transport goods and materials on rivers and other waterways. Their duties include planning menus, ordering supplies, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and adhering to safety and health regulations. Tow Boat Cooks often work long shifts and must be able to cook for large groups in a compact galley kitchen. They play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and morale of the crew during extended trips on the water.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a tow boat cook?

To thrive as a Tow Boat Cook, you need strong culinary skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and typically a food handler's certification. Familiarity with galley equipment, inventory management systems, and basic first aid is also valuable. Adaptability, organization, and the ability to work independently under pressure are essential soft skills. These competencies ensure nutritious, safe meals for crew members and efficient kitchen operations in the challenging environment of a tow boat.

What are some unique challenges faced by a tow boat cook, and how can I prepare for them?

As a Tow Boat Cook, one of the main challenges is preparing nutritious and satisfying meals in a confined galley while the vessel is in motion. You may also be responsible for managing inventory and planning menus for extended trips, often with limited access to fresh supplies. Adapting to variable schedules and working closely with a small crew requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Being proactive in meal planning, flexible with ingredients, and maintaining a positive attitude are key strategies for success in this role.

What is the difference between Tow Boat Cook vs Deckhand?

AspectTow Boat CookDeckhand
CertificationsBasic safety and food handlingSTCW, safety training, first aid
Work EnvironmentKitchen and vessel interiorDeck, exterior, and vessel exterior
Job RolePreparing meals, maintaining galleyMaintenance, docking, navigation assistance

While both Tow Boat Cooks and Deckhands work on vessels, the Tow Boat Cook primarily handles food preparation and galley duties, whereas the Deckhand focuses on vessel maintenance, navigation support, and deck operations. Certifications overlap in safety training, but Deckhands often require additional maritime safety credentials. Both roles are essential in the maritime industry, but they differ significantly in daily responsibilities and skill sets.

How much do you make working on a tow boat?

Tow boat cooks typically earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the vessel. Compensation may also include overtime pay and benefits, with some positions offering additional allowances for living onboard or travel.

What are popular job titles related to Tow Boat Cook jobs?

For Tow Boat Cook jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Tow Boat Cook job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,000 per year, or $22.1 per hour.

BOAT PILOT

Lettsworth, LA • On-site

Terral RiverService
Water Transportation • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Terral RiverServiceexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Position Summary:
Terral RiverService, Inc. is currently looking for U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captains/Pilots for our fleets and line boats. Experience is preferred but not required. TRS has a very aggressive training program for intercompany advancement.
Essential Job Functions:
  • Commands pushboat.
  • Commands pushboat while towing barges, ships, rigs and other vessels into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, sounds, rivers, lakes, bays and other navigable bodies of water.
  • Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc safety practices and policies.
  • Occasionally supervises or assists workers on deck to rig towlines.
  • Determines course and towing speed on basis of specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, tides and current.
  • Steers pushboat to push or pull vessels to destination and to berth and un-berth ships avoiding reefs, outlying shoals, and other hazards to shipping.
  • Utilizes navigation devices, such as radar, sonic depth finder, compass and sextant and other aids to navigation, such as lighthouses and buoys
  • Directs and occasionally assists in placement of suction hose or siphon to pump water from hold of barge
  • Directs and assists in performance of general maintenance work.
  • Ensuring all vessel personnel adhere to all U.S. Coast Guard and company policies
  • Occasionally supervises or assists in operation of all vessel equipment
  • Position is required to hold current license issued by U. S. Coast Guard as designated according to waters navigated and size of pushboat
  • Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required.

Requirements
Experience, Skills, and Education:
  • At least eighteen (18) years of age.
  • Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
  • Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TWIC.
  • Must have a current USCG Master of Towing Vessel license or higher.
  • Have a Radar endorsement or Radar Certification
  • Be CPR & 1st Aid Certified
  • Have proficient computer skills to include E-mail, internet browsers, and navigational systems Knowledge of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Tenn-Tom, Tombigbee, Black Warrior, LMR, Red, Black, Ouachita, Atchafalaya, and/or GIWW rivers and waterways are highly preferred.
  • Must have dependable transportation to designated TRS locations, no exceptions. Must be able to work various hours/holidays/weekends.

Physical Requirements
  • Must pass "fit for duty" requirements upon job offer (pre-employment physical and drug test).
  • The employee must meet physical requirements including but not limited to, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing up/down ladders and stairs, negotiating uneven and moving surfaces.
  • Must be able to work in difficult conditions with exposure to all weather conditions (rain, ice, snow, wind, heat, etc.).
  • Must be comfortable working aboard boats and barges.
  • Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and work at protected heights up to 40 feet.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Note: This job description provides a general overview of the typical responsibilities and qualifications for a Boat Pilot. Actual job requirements may vary based on the specific needs of the organization and industry standards.
About Terral RiverService, Inc:
Terral RiverService (TRS) is a Family-owned business with a continually growing footprint of boats and barges throughout most of the inland waterway system of the US. We specialize in bulk storage, material handling, river, road and rail logistics along the Mississippi River system, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the inland waterways of Louisiana and southern Arkansas. With our growing fleet of push boats, river barges, and modern dock operations strategically located throughout the Lower Mississippi River Valley, we are outfitted to transport, handle, and store virtually any commodity needed in the marketplace. TRS has over 600 employees and has operations in multiple states.

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