Lindblad Expeditions · 14 hours ago
Captain - National Geographic Venture
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$541/d - $610/d
5+ years expLindblad Expeditions is a pioneer in Expedition Travel, committed to providing guests with unique experiences in remote locations. The Captain is responsible for the overall safety of the vessel, overseeing crew and operations, and ensuring compliance with maritime regulations and company policies.
EducationEnvironmental ConsultingTravel
Responsibilities
Directly supervises all employees in the following positions: Chief Engineer, Chief Mate, 2nd Mate, 3rd Mate, and Hotel Manager. Indirectly supervises all crew assigned to the vessel
Liaises with EL to provide the best expedition experience to the guests
Monitors and counsels work performance throughout the year, and conducts written performance evaluations. Ensures that other officers complete the same
Coaches, disciplines, and/or terminates crew as necessary in a timely and appropriate manner, seeking the guidance and support of Human Resources as needed
Maintains professional demeanor with guests, crew, staff, agents, officials, and the public
Assists in the training and development of all direct reports. Also assists in the training of any new or relief Captain
Conducts daily informal meetings with the HM, EL, CE, CM to map the day’s operations/activities and guest welfare
Conducts weekly informational meetings with the staff, officers and crew
Responds in a timely manner to all concerns, complaints, and allegations, and conducts investigations as necessary. Notifies Fleet Management of potentially escalating problems
Distributes all information to and from officers, crew, staff, guests, and the Seattle and New York offices
With the Purser, prepares customs and immigration paperwork and personally attends the meetings with officials to clear the vessel
Oversees all reporting of vessel incidents (hull, crew, staff, guest)
Through the Officers, oversees the management, operation, maintenance and repair of the vessel
Through the Officers, oversees all accounting reports, payroll, inventory and requisitions
Performs bridge navigation and deck watch as needed, especially in challenging navigational transits and harbor limits. Determines geographical position of the ship, using all available means such as GPS, radar ranges, visual observations, depth sounders, etc
Records necessary entries in navigation and radio logs
Handles the vessel in docking, anchoring, piloting, en route, in close quarters and open sea conditions
Acts as Radio Officer to handle ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and radio telephone calls en route and dockside
Navigates vessel to ensure avoidance of marine hazards such as reefs, outlying shoals, shallow waters, etc. using aids to navigation such as lights, lighthouses, and buoys
Assigns and directs deckhands to lookout and helm duties as needed
Completes pilotage logs for trips completed in Alaska, British Columbia, and on the Columbia and Snake Rivers to meet pilotage requirements and stand watch unsupervised
Drives inflatable boats as necessary
Oversees and assists with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats
Oversees safety briefings for guests and coordinates with the Chief Mate for on-board instructive drills for guests, staff and crew
Ensures vessel compliance to company safety and pollution prevention policies and procedures and requests supervisory assistance/guidance when necessary
Conducts periodic inspections to ensure that crew and guests observe regulations pertaining to safe vessel operation
Oversees the security of the vessel both at sea and at dock; ensures gangway watch is posted at all times while at dock
Coordinates off-ship emergency medical aid. Assists the Chief Mate in administering first aid treatment and in documenting medical incident reports
Oversees all drug and alcohol testing as required by the U.S. Coast Guard and Company policy
Prepares the vessel for and attends all U.S. Coast Guard annual drydocks and other inspections as required
Participates in company and shore-side training as required by the company
Maintains familiarity and compliance with the ISM and ISPS Code and requirements as well as USCG, Transport Canada, and Health Canada Requirements
Ensures compliance with the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response activities
Hosts various social functions on board, such as the Captain's Welcome Aboard and Farewell Nights, as well as participates in guest activities such as re-caps, barbeques, dining with guests, etc
Ensures that Lindblad Expeditions maintains a positive image with all local agents, officials, and area residents
Qualification
Required
Minimum 5 years experience as either Captain or Chief Mate on passenger-carrying vessels
Ability to perform voyage planning and navigational calculations
Familiarity with various communication equipment, such as cell phones, satellite phones, email, SSB, VHF, SAT-C, GMDSS
Excellent crisis management skills; works well under pressure, and acts quickly and decisively using sound judgement
Supervisory experience in maritime environment required
Proficient user of computer systems, with the ability to utilize MS software applications in a Windows operating system
Ability to troubleshoot, act quickly with confidence, and make sound decisions while exercising good judgement
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively present both sensitive information in one-on-one situations, and comfort with public speaking in group situations
Excellent written English language skills, with the ability to prepare professional documents and reports in a timely manner
Good customer service skills: able to maintain a professional demeanor at all times, ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy
Minimum USCG Master 500 GRT Near Coastal and Master Less Than 3,000 GT STCW Endorsement required
Current USCG Medical Card per STCW expiration date (2 years)
Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification required
Valid TWIC card required
Valid US Passport required
STCW Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) Certification required
STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) within last 5 years required
STCW Vessel Security Officer (VSO) Certificate required
STCW Bridge Resource Management (BRM) required
STCW Medical Person in Charge (MedPIC) required
STCW Crowd Management (CM) required
STCW Crisis Management and Human Behavior (CMHB) required
STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boat (PSC) required
Radar Observer (RO) endorsement required
GMDSS license required
ECDIS endorsement required
ARPA endorsement required
Department of Transportation (DOT) Specimen Collector required
Preferred
Experience operating port-to-port between Southeast Alaska, the Snake and Columbia Rivers, the Gulf of California, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama (including the Panama Canal) is preferred
Additional supervisory oversight of hotel operations strongly preferred
Additional Spanish language skills preferred
Company
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions & National Geographic offer authentic exploration
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.03B2025-08-06Post Ipo Debt· $675M
2023-04-17Post Ipo Debt· $275M
2020-08-27Post Ipo Equity· $85M
Leadership Team
L. Dyson Dryden
CFO
Recent News
Morningstar.com
2026-01-20
2025-11-04
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