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Vessel Cook Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

American Commercial Barge Line

Vessel Cook

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15.25 - $19/hr

Vessel Cook Company: American Commercial Barge Line Location: Traveling on waterways Job Type: Full-Time Are you a talented and passionate cook ready to embark on an exciting culinary adventure ...

American Commercial Barge Line LLC

Vessel Cook

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15.25 - $19/hr

Vessel Cook Company: American Commercial Barge Line Location: Traveling on waterways Job Type: Full-Time Are you a talented and passionate cook ready to embark on an exciting culinary adventure ...

American Cruise Lines

Line Cook

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$14.25 - $18/hr

Line Cook American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line in the United States, is looking to add ... Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time. * Ability to use stairs ...

American Cruise Lines

Line Cook

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$14.25 - $18/hr

Line Cook American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line in the United States, is looking to add ... Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time. * Ability to use stairs ...

American Cruise Lines

Sous Chef

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$45K - $61K/yr

Ensuring consistency in culinary excellence across the vessel your primary responsibility. You will ... Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * Ability to ...

American Cruise Lines

Sous Chef

Memphis, TN · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Ensuring consistency in culinary excellence across the vessel your primary responsibility. You will ... Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * Ability to ...

American Cruise Lines

Sous Chef

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$45K - $61K/yr

Ensuring consistency in culinary excellence across the vessel your primary responsibility. You will ... Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * Ability to ...

American Cruise Lines

Sous Chef

Memphis, TN · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Ensuring consistency in culinary excellence across the vessel your primary responsibility. You will ... Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * Ability to ...

American Cruise Lines

Executive Sous Chef

Memphis, TN

$63K - $80K/yr

Must be able to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * An ... Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time. * Ability to use stairs ...

American Cruise Lines

Executive Sous Chef

Memphis, TN · On-site

$63K - $80K/yr

Must be able to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * An ... Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time. * Ability to use stairs ...

American Cruise Lines

Executive Sous Chef

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$59K - $75K/yr

Must be able to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * An ... Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time. * Ability to use stairs ...

American Cruise Lines

Executive Sous Chef

Chattanooga, TN

$59K - $75K/yr

Must be able to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * An ... Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time. * Ability to use stairs ...

American Cruise Lines

Executive Chef

Memphis, TN · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * Ability to ... Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time. * Ability to use stairs ...

American Cruise Lines

Executive Chef

Memphis, TN · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions. * Ability to ... Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time. * Ability to use stairs ...

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Vessel Cook information

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$9

$16

$21

How much do vessel cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for vessel cook in Tennessee is $16.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.94 and $17.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a vessel cook?

Vessel cooks are culinary professionals responsible for preparing meals on ships, boats, or other marine vessels. They plan menus, order provisions, and cook meals for the crew and sometimes passengers, ensuring food safety and nutritional standards are met. Vessel cooks often work in compact, challenging environments and must be able to adapt to limited resources and rough conditions at sea. Their role is crucial for maintaining crew morale and health during long voyages.

What does a vessel cook do?

A vessel cook works in a galley on an offshore oil rig, cargo ship, or commercial ship, such as a cruise line. You may help oversee several onboard deckhands who assist in the galley, prepare and maintain kitchen equipment and supplies, and participate in food preparation and cleanup. In addition to your daily responsibilities in the kitchen, you may also assist with other aspects of ship maintenance or operations, especially those that relate directly to the kitchen and its equipment. On a large cruise line, you may also have customer service duties such as meeting with passengers to discuss dietary restrictions.

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

To thrive as a Vessel Cook, you need solid culinary skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and experience preparing meals in a maritime or remote environment, often supported by certifications like STCW Basic Safety Training or a Food Handler's Certificate. Familiarity with galley equipment, inventory management systems, and maritime safety procedures is typically required. Strong organizational skills, adaptability, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for managing meal preparation and collaborating with crew under challenging conditions. These abilities ensure nutritious, safe meals and smooth operations that contribute to crew morale and overall vessel efficiency.

What are some common challenges vessel cooks face when preparing meals at sea, and how can they overcome them?

Vessel cooks often encounter challenges such as limited storage space, restricted ingredient availability, and the need to prepare meals in rough sea conditions. To overcome these challenges, cooks must be highly organized, creative with meal planning, and skilled at adapting recipes based on available supplies. They also need to adhere to strict food safety standards and work efficiently in a compact galley, often preparing multiple meals daily for a diverse crew. Teamwork and clear communication with the crew are essential to ensure dietary needs are met and operations run smoothly.

What is the difference between Vessel Cook vs Marine Cook?

AspectVessel CookMarine Cook
CredentialsFood safety certifications, maritime trainingFood safety certifications, maritime training
Work EnvironmentOn ships, boats, or offshore vesselsOn ships, boats, or offshore vessels
Industry UsageMaritime, shipping, offshore industriesMaritime, shipping, offshore industries
Job FocusPreparing meals for crew and passengersPreparing meals for crew and passengers

The terms Vessel Cook and Marine Cook are often used interchangeably, both referring to culinary roles on ships or offshore vessels. While their responsibilities and work environments are similar, the terminology may vary by employer or region. Both roles require maritime safety certifications and focus on providing meals in a maritime setting.

More about Vessel Cook jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Vessel Cook jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Vessel Cook jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Vessel Cook jobs in Tennessee?

For Vessel Cook jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Vessel Cook jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Vessel Cook jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Vessel Cook jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Vessel Cook job openings:

Vessel Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vessel Cook job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,466 per year, or $16.1 per hour.

Vessel Cook

Memphis, TN • On-site

American Commercial Barge Line
Transportation and Warehousing • 1 - 5K employees

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Great coworkers

Good employer

Respectful managers

Learn more about American Commercial Barge Lineexternal

$15.25 - $19/hr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Vessel Cook
Company: American Commercial Barge Line
Location: Traveling on waterways
Job Type: Full-Time
Are you a talented and passionate cook ready to embark on an exciting culinary adventure across the inland waterways? American Commercial Barge Line is seeking a skilled Vessel Cook to join our maritime team and delight our crew with delicious and nourishing meals.
When you join ACBL...American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) is one of the largest and most diversified marine transportation companies in the U.S. Our legacy of providing the nation with the most economical, safest, and greenest mode of transportation dates all the way back to 1915, when we began moving coal on the Kentucky River. We offer a wide range of career paths in both operations and support services. Whether you are interested in working on the river or in an office, we are always searching for the best of the best to join our ACBL team.
What you will be doing... YourIMPACT
  • Create diverse and nutritionally balanced menus that cater to various dietary preferences and restrictions.
  • Prepare and cook meals, snacks, and baked goods for the vessel crew, ensuring quality, taste, and presentation.
  • Follow strict food safety and hygiene protocols to ensure the well-being of the crew.
  • Keep the galley clean and organized, maintaining kitchen equipment in good working order.
  • Foster a positive dining experience and accommodate special requests when possible.
  • Work closely with vessel master to ensure vessel budgets are maintained.
  • Travel to the designated port location assigned to a crew location.

What we are looking for...
You will need to have:
  • ServeSafe Certification.
  • Proven experience as a cook or chef of 3+ years.
  • Must be able to remain on vessel for 28-day rotating assignments.
  • Must be able to obtain required Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card by time of interview.
    Need a TWIC card? Apply here.
  • Must have a valid driver's license.
  • Knowledge of maritime catering and provisioning.
  • Strong culinary skills with the ability to adapt to various cuisines.
  • Understanding of food safety standards and practices.
  • Effective communication and teamwork skills.
  • Flexibility to work in a confined and dynamic environment.
  • Commitment to safety and crew well-being.

Even better if you have:
  • Previous Cooking experience in the maritime industry.
  • Culinary degree or relevant certification.

Reasons you will love working at ACBL ...
  • Competitive salary and benefits package.
  • Supportive and inclusive crew atmosphere.
  • Opportunity to showcase your culinary skills in a unique environment
  • Access to fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
  • Employee Assistance Program.
  • Commitment to safety and quality cuisine.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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