Chief Officer Saga Cruises
Salary £DOE
2 months on/off
Shipboard / Offshore
V.Ships is recruiting for an experienced CHIEF OFFICER, ready to join SAGA cruises the end of November 2025.
Applicants must have the following experience and all of the valid Certificates (Master unlimited)
LICENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Required Chief Mate Unlimited
Desired Master Mariner Unlimited
LINE MANAGER
Staff Captain
DIRECT REPORTS
2nd Officers
3rd Officers
Quartermasters
Deck Cadets
Package Description
All of the Marine and Onboard Technical roles are managed by V.Ships who have been a longstanding partner to Saga Cruises.
The rates of pay and packages are dependent of the crew ranking and certification.
Full packages and time at sea will be discussed in more detail once you apply.
Main Responsibilities
Auditing the presence and use of the keys issued to the Bridge
Reviewing the entries made to deck or other log books by Deck Watchkeepers and providing them feedback or guidance on the quality thereof
Instructing Deck Watchkeepers on additional entries that they may need to make during their watches either routinely or in extraordinary circumstances
Meeting with all newly joined cadets in order to ascertain their level of experience, knowledge and what the focus for their training will be
Drawing up a schedule for their working.
Briefing members of the team with whom they will be working in order to ensure that all work will be carried out safely and in accordance with drawn up procedures
Meeting with cadets regularly to measure their progress, sign appropriate TRB tasks, and keep them appraised of your expectations and how their progression is viewed
Reviewing their work to provide feedback
Preparing, prior to sailing on any voyage or if changes are made during the voyage, for the Masters approval, course lines and a planned approach for each part of the voyage, from berth to berth, including a such an approach for departure, arrival and closing land giving at all times safe clearance from all dangers
Providing sufficient information and annotations on the ENCs and in the voyage plan that navigating officers are briefed on the execution of the plan and that it is completed with full regard to safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment
Preparing alternative plans should the former be frustrated
Informing the Master of navigational progress during each voyage including speed and other relevant matters
Laying down of course lines for future itineraries and thus preparing the cruise planner showing planned ETAs, ETDs, pilot times and all distances and required speeds
Informing the Master and through them the company promptly of any unduly high speeds or impractical arrival times
Ensuring that the navigational charts (ENCs) and publications required for future itineraries are available and sufficient
Preparing or causing to be prepared any other information as may be required in order to conduct a full appraisal of upcoming voyages
You are assisted in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
You are assisted in this Responsibility by 3rd/4th Officer (Nav Support)
Monitoring the operational condition of all navigation instruments
Instigating any corrective or remedial activity required to maintain safety of the vessel
Drawing the Master and Staff Captains attention to any deficiencies or defects that you cannot reasonably resolve on your own recognisance
You are supported in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
Ensuring that the navigational ENCs carried on board are the latest available, up to date and sufficient for the current and upcoming voyages
Ensuring that the publications required for the itinerary, by the flag or port state or by the company, are carried on board and are the latest available
You are supported in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
Setting a positive example to all Deck Watchkeepers on the professional execution of your duties as a Deck Watchkeeper
Providing feedback and guidance to Deck Watchkeepers on the conduct of their watches
Conducting touch drills with your own watch team and the others, including with
Quartermasters, in order that all watches are able to respond to emergency situations calmly, quickly and effectively Responsibility #26 Communications by
Ensuring that the assigned Deck Watchkeeper undertakes all required maintenance, tests and inspections of the vessels GMDSS equipment
Briefing Deck Watchkeepers on the use of the equipment to ensure they are competent in both routine and emergency use
Additional Duties:
Ensure that planned and unplanned maintenance assigned to their discipline is conducted and reported.
Attend passenger social events as directed by the Head of Department.
Partake in inspections, trainings and meetings as directed by the Head of Department.
Ensure direct reports are line managed effectively in accordance with Saga and V.Ships appraisal policies
Ensure accessibility to direct reports and support individuals needs, sourcing advice and reporting matters of a personal nature confidentially to the Head of Department where necessary.
Other shipboard tasks pertaining to departmental operations as directed by Head of Department.
Attending trainings and office visits arranged by V.Ships where possible
The Ideal Candidate
You will have previously worked as the senior of the two watchkeepers (SOOW). You will be used to taking the charge at sea. You are fully compliant with the VS22 (BRM Directive), which you are familiar with and follow in letter and spirit.
Where your own Responsibilities are supported by another Deck Watch keeper, you retain overall accountability and should issue clear guidance and instruction on how the workload will be spread and what your expectations are.
You will complete object setting and appraisals for all your direct reports. You will give regular feedback to them on your expectations and your view of their performance, listening to their considerations, so that no item discussed in an appraisal comes as a surprise to them.
About The Company
Our People are important to us, they are proud of their profession and hold a strong loyalty and affinity to the Saga Cruises brand and deliver a personalised service to Sagas guests.
They lead the ships with a strong sense of purpose that reflects the values and behaviors of the 'Saga Way'. They see the world through their guests' eyes and exceed their expectations - nothing is too much trouble!
We support our people who join V.Ships in fulfilling their individual potential and ambitions and ensure everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of rank or origin.
Working onboard a Saga vessel is like being welcomed into a new family as 'One Saga'.
Our people are proud of their ships and the role they play in making every cruise a success!
Welcome to the world of Boutique-ship cruising with Saga.
Saga Crew Management (UK) Limited is hereby given authority to carry out recruitment as appropriate on behalf of Saffron Maritime Ltd.
Please note, when you apply to this role via the Saga careers page the crewing team will review your CV and profile. If you match the criteria of the role, you will then be asked to continue your application with V.Ships.
Our partner, V.Ships will then make contact directly to discuss your application.
Good Luck, we hope to see you onboard.
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