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Towboat Captain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CRH

Towboat Captain

Kansas City, MO · On-site

Towboat Captain AMAT Kansas City, Missouri, United States Job ID: 526894 Holliday Sand & Gravel Company, a CRH company, is one of the leading sand and gravel producers throughout Kansas, Missouri ...

CRH

Towboat Captain

Randolph, MO

Your Role As a Towboat Captain, you will: * Navigate and operate towboats and barges with precision, utilizing your expert knowledge of local winds, water depths, currents, weather, and potential ...

New

Southern Devall Towing Co

4A Captain

Memphis, TN · On-site

... a towboat. They are required to communicate in English with other vessels, Coast Guard stations ... The Captain/Relief Captain is responsible for making certain that vessel navigation equipment ...

Southern Devall Towing Co

4A Captain

Sulphur, LA · On-site

... a towboat. They are required to communicate in English with other vessels, Coast Guard stations ... The Captain/Relief Captain is responsible for making certain that vessel navigation equipment ...

Vitus Energy LLC

Captain - Master

Anchorage, AK · On-site

Captain will provide direction to crew, including setting crew schedules, directing crew as ... Work is usually done on a towboat and sometimes, at a job site. The position supervises exempt, non ...

Vitus Energy, LLC

Captain - Master

Anchorage, AK

Captain will provide direction to crew, including setting crew schedules, directing crew as ... Work is usually done on a towboat and sometimes, at a job site. The position supervises exempt, non ...

Southern Devall Towing Co

4B Relief Captain

Sulphur, LA · On-site

... a towboat. They are required to communicate in English with other vessels, Coast Guard stations ... The Captain/Relief Captain is responsible for making certain that vessel navigation equipment ...

Southern Devall Towing Co

Captain / Pilot

Memphis, TN · On-site

... a towboat. They are required to communicate in English with other vessels, Coast Guard stations ... The Captain/Relief Captain is responsible for making certain that vessel navigation equipment ...

Parker Towing Company

Engineer

Northport, AL · On-site

This position will be report directly to the Port Engineer and will be responsible to the towboat ... compliance. * Assist the Captain in conducting fire emergency procedures and fire drills.

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Towboat Captain information

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How much do towboat captain jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for towboat 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 is a towboat captain?

Towboat captains are licensed professionals responsible for navigating and operating towboats, which are vessels used to push barges along rivers, canals, and other inland waterways. Their duties include steering the towboat, managing crew operations, ensuring safety protocols are followed, maintaining logs, and coordinating with port authorities. Towboat captains play a critical role in the transportation of goods such as coal, grain, and other bulk materials. They must possess strong navigational skills, leadership abilities, and a thorough understanding of maritime regulations. To become a towboat captain, individuals typically need extensive maritime experience and must hold a relevant U.S. Coast Guard license.

What are some common challenges towboat captains face while navigating busy waterways, and how can they be managed?

Towboat Captains often encounter challenges such as heavy traffic from other vessels, rapidly changing weather conditions, and navigating narrow or shallow channels. To manage these challenges, captains rely on strong situational awareness, maintain constant communication with crew and other vessels, and use advanced navigation equipment. Proactive planning, ongoing training, and staying updated on local waterway regulations also help ensure safe and efficient operations.

What is the difference between Towboat Captain vs Marine Pilot?

AspectTowboat CaptainMarine Pilot
CredentialsValid USCG license, STCW certificationUSCG license, often with additional pilot endorsements
Work EnvironmentOperate towboats on inland waterways, rivers, and lakesNavigate ships through ports, harbors, and restricted waterways
Employer & IndustryShipping companies, inland waterway operatorsPort authorities, shipping lines, maritime agencies

While both Towboat Captains and Marine Pilots hold USCG licenses and work in maritime environments, Towboat Captains operate vessels on inland waterways, whereas Marine Pilots assist ships in navigating port and harbor areas. Their roles are complementary but distinct, with Towboat Captains managing vessel operation and Marine Pilots providing expert navigation assistance in confined or congested waters.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a towboat captain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Towboat Captain, you need extensive maritime knowledge, navigational skills, and typically a U.S. Coast Guard-issued Master of Towing Vessels license. Proficiency with radar, GPS navigation systems, and communication equipment is crucial for safe and efficient operations. Strong leadership, decision-making, and effective communication are essential soft skills for managing crew and responding to emergencies. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure vessel safety, regulatory compliance, and the smooth transport of cargo on inland and coastal waterways.
More about Towboat Captain jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Towboat Captain jobs? The most popular types of Towboat Captain jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Towboat Captain jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Towboat Captain jobs are:
Towboat Captain jobs near you
Infographic showing various Towboat 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.

Towboat Captain

CRH

Kansas City, MO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Towboat Captain
AMAT
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Job ID: 526894
Holliday Sand & Gravel Company, a CRH company, is one of the leading sand and gravel producers throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Holliday Sand & Gravel Company is a dynamic company known for its causal, team-oriented work environment. We provide opportunities for career growth and advancement to employees at all levels.
Lead with Skill and Integrity on America's Waterways
Why Join Us?
  • Impact: Command some of the most critical vessels on US navigable waters, ensuring the safe movement of people and materials that power our nation's industry.
  • Leadership: Mentor and motivate a skilled crew, fostering a culture of safety and teamwork every day.
  • Professional Growth: Expand your skills in a dynamic, union-supported environment that values your expertise and encourages continuous learning.
  • Stability: Be part of a respected company with a long-standing reputation for safety and professionalism.

Your Role
As a Towboat Captain, you will:
  • Navigate and operate towboats and barges with precision, utilizing your expert knowledge of local winds, water depths, currents, weather, and potential hazards.
  • Oversee all aspects of vessel operation, including mooring, anchoring, loading, and transportation of equipment, supplies, and materials.
  • Ensure the safety of your crew through regular safety meetings, drills, and proactive risk management.
  • Direct and mentor crew members in all navigational and operational tasks.
  • Consult maps, charts, weather reports, and navigation equipment to plan and direct vessel movement.
  • Maintain logs, inspect the vessel, and outfit all safety equipment to regulatory standards.
  • Lead and participate in emergency response and rescue operations as needed.
  • Manage crew changes, fueling procedures, and oversee vessel maintenance.
  • Collaborate with supervisors and perform additional duties as required to support plant and marine operations.

What We're Looking For:
  • Proven leadership and communication skills.
  • Ability to read, write, and understand instructions, labels, and safety signage.
  • Strong attention to detail and the discipline to maintain rigorous safety standards.
  • Flexibility to workday or night shifts, with overtime and weekends as required across the company's operational areas.
  • Physical capability for walking, climbing, bending, lifting (up to 75 pounds unassisted), and working in a demanding environment.

Minimum Requirements:
  • High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
  • Current USCG Master of Towing license (with relevant licensing areas).
  • Ton license with TOAR Endorsement.
  • Radar Observer Endorsement.
  • Ability to operate general hand tools.
  • Successful completion of the EFT for Holliday Sand & Gravel Operators Hoist Engineers.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements:
  • Frequently required to climb, balance, and perform tasks involving physical agility.
  • Regularly sit, climb, and use hand signals or equipment; occasionally stand, walk, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, crouch, or reach above shoulder height.
  • Lift and move objects weighing up to 25-50 lbs as needed.Work primarily outdoors, often in extreme weather and environmental conditions.
  • Comfortable working in all weather conditions; exposed to jobsite hazards such as moving machinery, high places, airborne particles, and loud environments.
  • Must have specific vision abilities, including close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, to operate equipment safely.
  • Reasonable accommodations provided as necessary to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Our Commitment to Safety
We operate in a safety-sensitive environment, with validated job demands based on thorough analysis and employee input. We provide mechanical or personnel assistance whenever possible to ensure essential tasks are performed safely and efficiently.
Ready to Set Course?
If you're a safety-minded professional with the credentials, experience, and leadership to inspire a crew, we want to hear from you. Join us and bring your expertise to a team that values your impact on every journey.
Apply now to become a Towboat Captain-and help us navigate toward a safer, successful future on the water.
What CRH Offers You
  • Highly competitive base pay
  • Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
  • Group retirement savings program
  • Health and wellness programs
  • An inclusive culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion

About CRH
CRH has a long and proud heritage. We are a collection of hundreds of family businesses, regional companies and large enterprises that together form the CRH family. CRH operates in a decentralized, diversified structure that allows you to work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large international organization.
If you're up for a rewarding challenge, we invite you to take the first step and apply today! Once you click apply now, you will be brought to our official employment application. Please complete your online profile and it will be sent to the hiring manager. Our system allows you to view and track your status 24 hours a day. Thank you for your interest!
Holliday Sand & Gravel Company, a CRH Company, is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
EOE/Vet/Disability
CRH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
AI tools may be used in certain stages of the employment lifecycle, such as candidate review; however, all final employment decisions will be made by a person.

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