Captain, RV Hugh R. Sharp*

The University of Delaware is seeking a Senior Vessel Captain for the RV Hugh R. Sharp, an advanced technology research vessel. The Captain is responsible for the safe operation, navigation, and regulatory compliance of the ship, supervising crew and scientific personnel during missions at sea. This full-time position requires a U.S. Coast Guard Master Mariner license and involves significant decision-making in complex oceanographic operations.
University of Delaware

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The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which
encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women,
Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice
of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

Job No: 502008

Work Type: Staff

Location: Lewes

Categories: Facilities Management, Full Time

PAY GRADE: 33E

CONTEXT OF POSITION:

The HUGH R SHARP (SHARP) is a University owned advanced
technology floating lab which supports oceanographic research
funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Naval
Research (ONR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and academic intuitions
throughout the U.S. The University of Delaware is a member of the
University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) and is
one of the few institutions nationwide that operates a research
vessel as part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF).

Safe and efficient operation and maintenance of the ship is
essential for the safety of personnel, accomplishment of research
goals, and generation of revenue to cover the $2+m annual operating
budget for the vessel. The Senior Vessel Captain (Captain) is a
U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master Mariner in Command of the vessel
and ultimately responsible for the safe operation, personnel,
regulatory compliance, and mission accomplishment. The Captain is
the Supervisor of nine Crew members ashore and directly responsible
for up to 16 Scientific Personnel and Marine Technicians while at
sea.

When operating the ship, the Captain is the sole person
responsible for the immediate navigation and operation of the ship.
Strong independent judgment is required in evaluating where the
ship can safely navigate, avoiding ship traffic, and properly
handling scientific gear over the side in various environmental
conditions. Oceanographic operations are inherently risky with the
use of winches, cranes, and the deployment of high-value equipment
into the ocean. The 146’, 497 gross ton, SHARP has complex
navigation and propulsion systems to perform precision mission
support work at sea. The ship operates 24/7 when at sea, carries up
to 22 personnel, and handles high value (up to $1m+) equipment in
the dynamic ocean environment. Science missions are several days to
over two weeks at a time, typically 120 - 160 days at sea per year.
The Captain’s decision making when operating the ship directly and
immediately impacts the safety of life, equipment, and the ship
itself.

A high level of operational competence and independent judgment
with the ability to make critical decisions is essential. The
responsibility of this position requires significant competence to
ensure safety of personnel, equipment, and the ship itself. The
impacts of weather, other ship traffic, complexity of operations,
skill of the science users, capability of deployment equipment,
risk assessment, etc. to the safety and efficiency of mission
accomplishment is essential to the safe and successful utilization
of this high-value University asset. Nearly every aspect of the
ship’s daily operation and safety depends on specialized
operational knowledge and leadership skills of the Captain.

The Captain’s ability to work closely with the Senior Research
personnel aboard is critical to ensuring proper science mission
planning and execution. This requires significant collaborative and
leadership skills in addition to the operational competence. The
Captain is a highly visible representative of the University of
Delaware and the Marine Operations program to the Federal Agencies
and Academic Institutions who utilize the SHARP for their
research.

The ship is essentially a small town at sea. The Captain is
responsible for the safety, welfare, and mission accomplishment of
the vessel, personnel, and operations 24/7 while at sea. Most
cruises are one to two weeks in duration, with one to two days of
demobilization and mobilization in between. The Captain will
generally sail up to 2/3 of the ship’s sailing schedule and
fulfills significant responsibilities ashore. When ashore the
Captain will communicate frequently with the Relief Captain aboard
ship to ensure safe mission accomplishment.

Ashore and administratively, the Captain must ensure the ship
meets significant regulatory requirements from the U.S. Coast
Guard, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and others. The Captain also oversees the
Chief Engineer and Deck Officers to ensure required maintenance is
performed, and needed repairs are planned and executed.

The Captain works closely with the Director, Marine Operations
on the regulatory requirements, major repair planning, and for
scientific cruise planning and logistics. The Captain’s ability to
communicate up and down the chain of command is essential to
efficient management of the ship and operations.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Responsible for the command and management of the University of
Delaware’s research ship, including operation, navigation, safety,
maintenance, and outfitting.
• Has the lead responsibility for the ship, crew, embarked
science party, ship, and mission accomplishment. Directs crew and
technician(s), assigns work priorities, monitors logistics, hotel
services and vessel cleanliness, and ensures appropriate navigation
planning to meet the ship’s schedule and mission requirements.
• Ensure the vessel meets all appropriate UNOLS, Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Oil Spill Response and U.S. Coast Guard
standards and regulations for a vessel of its size and class, and
maintain appropriate classification with the American Bureau of
Shipping (ABS).
• Supervise the daily activities of the crew, both alongside and
underway. While at sea, supervise the activities of the ship’s
technicians with regard to successful completion of the scientific
mission.
• Assist the Director of Marine Operations, the Manager of
Oceanographic Services, Chief Scientist, and scientific party with
detailed cruise planning and mobilization. While at sea, make
operational decisions independently with special consideration
toward the successful and safe completion of the scientific
mission. Interacts closely with the scientific party (i.e. Chief
Scientist) with planning, operations, logistics, safety, ship hotel
services, etc. to accomplish the scientific mission.
• Oversees the scientific loading, unloading, and resupply of the
vessel between assigned cruises. Supervises, instructs and assists
crew in on-loading and off-loading of scientific gear including
operation of the ship’s cranes and forklifts. Ensures navigation
systems, operational planning, and hotel services are
prepared.
• Stands a navigational watch as Officer in Charge (six hours
on/six hours off) when at sea. Responsible for the safe movement
and mission operations of the ship. Operates complex ship
propulsion, navigation, and communications systems in accordance
with U.S. Coast Guard regulations and standard maritime watch
keeping practices. Maintains situational awareness of the ship
operational area, sea conditions, weather, deck operations, safety
monitoring systems, personnel on duty, and deployed equipment while
on duty.
• Operates the vessel in a full array of scientific operations
involving station keeping with Dynamic Positioning (DP), moorings,
specialized scientific equipment deployment and recovery, towed
instrumentation operations, survey operations, and small boat
activities.
• Schedule the ship’s crew for proper manning of the vessel and
to ensure a balanced rotation (typically three weeks maximum
contiguous deployment per crewmember). Schedule training and
certification for crew members to keep all required licensing and
certification current.
• Ensures completion of maintenance and repair of the vessel and
its machinery and equipment. Assigns work teams to perform repair
and maintenance of deck machinery, equipment, bridge systems, and
the ship’s small boat. Works closely with the Director and Chief
Engineer in planning and executing all major overhauls.
• Secures the vessel in the event of severe weather in-port or
where the vessel cannot remain in home port, arrange docking and
transportation.
• Ensure appropriate security measures are in place to protect
the ship away from home port and to meet facility security
requirements where docked.
• Work closely with the Director, Marine Operations with the
management of the ship’s funds to make best use of financial
resources in the outfitting, maintenance, and operation of the
vessel.
• For all scientific missions (including foreign voyages), ensure
arrangements for all logistical details including dockage, fuel,
provisions, and stores.
• Ensure all safety equipment meets applicable UNOLS, USCG, and
IMO requirements. Leads fire and other safety drills and response
to actual emergencies (fire, flooding, medical, lifeboat, man
overboard, etc.). Trains crew members in emergency and watch
standing duties.
• Ensure vessel meets the UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards
and is prepared for routine inspections by ABS and the NSF Ship
Inspection team.
• Maintains inventory of medical supplies and controlled
medications. Leads response or directs qualified crew response to
medical emergencies, including utilizing shore support services.
Ensures medically qualified personnel are assigned on all research
cruises.
• Assist the Director with overall management of the ship support
equipment, Work Shops, and storage facilities ashore.
• Make recommendations for continuous improvement of work
procedures and material condition of the ship and equipment.
• Procure parts and services with University purchase card or
purchase order. Adhere to University purchase card policies and
procedures.
• Is available for communications through phone and email while
off the ship, and may need to relive other crew members or report
to the ship in an emergency with short notice.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must hold a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with
endorsement as “Master 1600 Tons – Oceans.”
• STCW certification as Master and as Officer in Charge of a
Navigational Watch (OICNW).
• Bachelor’s degree and ten years’ experience as a deck officer
on vessels, or an equivalent combination of education, maritime
training and certifications, and experience.
• Extensive experience with deployment and recovery of equipment
at sea, such as oceanographic, fishing, supply, or towing vessel
operations. Experience on research vessels and as a vessel Captain
or Relief Captain preferred.
• Must maintain other required certifications and training for
the vessel’s size and class including but not limited to STCW,
Radar Observer, GMDSS, Marine Fire Fighting, ARPA, MPIC.
• Experience operating vessels with Azipod or Z-drives and
Dynamic Positioning.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the
differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying
identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where
diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

OCCUPATIONAL/ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES: The physical
environment requires the employee to work exposed to all conditions
found aboard a ship at sea. This includes heavy weather, extreme
heat/cold, and all forms of precipitation. Occasionally required to
use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to hazardous
materials (paint, solvents, etc.) and other risks during
maintenance.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be able to perform normal duties aboard ship such as:
climbing and descending ladders, handling mooring lines, opening
and closing watertight doors, wearing an emergency breathing
apparatus, reaching, handling, grasping, and lifting lifesaving and
firefighting equipment, handling moderate loads (at least 40
pounds).
• Must meet the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) physical requirements for
merchant seaman as outlined in 46 CFR and given on USCG Form
CG-719K.
• Must be able to spend extended periods away from homeport
including sailing typically up to 2/3 of the ship’s sailing
schedule and attending shipyard periods.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays at sea and in
port as operations require.
• Must have excellent decision making and interpersonal skills to
interact appropriately with scientific users, direct crew, and
communicate plans, risks, and operational limitations to users
while maintaining a customer service and mission accomplishment
environment.
• Must be willing to be enrolled in a Department of
Transportation (DOT) random drug-testing program and pass a
pre-employment drug screening.
• Must have a valid, state issued driver’s license in order to
operate ship’s vehicles for crew transfers and conducting ship’s
business.
• Requires the use of personal protective equipment to prevent
exposure to safety hazards/hazardous materials.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative
Action

The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person
on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity
or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital
status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other
characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment,
educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and
scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the
Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and
University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits
unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual
violence.

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