American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Mates for our U.S. flag fleet. American Cruise Lines cruise along inland and coastal waterways, including the East Coast, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, Cumberland Rivers, and Great Lakes. American Cruise Lines modern vessels accommodate 100 to 200 guests designed for safe navigation and exceptional service.
Mates are senior shipboard officers reporting directly to the Captain and are responsible for safe vessel operations, adherence to company and regulatory standards, and representing the company as a professional leader. Our Mates are experienced mariners with firsthand piloting experience in challenging coastal and river waterways. Our Mates are skilled team and time managers, supervising daily deck teams while also developing piloting expertise on our coastal and river routes. Our Mates are prudent decision-makers continually reducing risk by keeping our crew tasks ahead of daily and weekly schedules. Our Mates are people-oriented leaders and meticulous professionals, in service to our guests and as examples to our crews.
Mates enjoy comfortable onboard accommodations and chef prepared meals. American Cruise Lines operates our own bridge simulator, enabling rigorous recurrent training and development focused on critical decision-making and advanced piloting skills. American Cruise Lines recruits and retains the best professional mariners in the industry.
At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values—Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships. Responsibilities:
- Ensure safety and security of passengers, crew, and vessel.
- Operate the vessel in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
- Conduct daily inspections of all vessel spaces.
- Supervise, lead, and develop deck officers.
- Execution of Vessel cleaning, sanitation, maintenance, and logistics.
- Execution of Crew orientation, training, watch standing, and emergency drills.
- Teamwork with Hotel Officers and Service Crew ensuring five-star guest service.
- Administrative documentation of cleaning, sanitation, maintenance, and logistics.
- Leadership of safe, secure, clean, and comfortable onboard environment for passengers and crew.
Work Schedule:
- Typical March through November Cruise Season: 6 weeks on / 3 weeks off or 4 weeks on / 4 weeks off. Additional work periods may be possible during winter months aboard the few vessels operating or repositioning year-round.
- This is a full-time, exempt position.
Qualifications:
- U.S. Coast Guard Mate’s license: minimum 100T, desired license 1600T.
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
- Mate experience on coastal and river waterways: minimum 2yrs, desired 5yrs with Z-drive experience.
- Basic marine engineering knowledge of diesel machinery, hydraulics, and liquid load management.
- Excellent communication skills and team-building skills.
- Pre-employment drug test and continual participation in random testing.
- Great Lakes Mate: Route familiarization and recency in all or several areas including: St. Lawrence Seaway, Welland Canal, St. Mary's River, and U.S. port routes in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
Essential Functions:
- Ships experience forces from wind, waves, and currents, prompting them to exhibit six distinct motions known as ship motions. The six motions are surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw. This position requires the ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment that is subject to constant motion.
- Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
- Ability to assist in the event of an on-board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20” diameter hatch.
- Ability to stand for your entire shift.
- Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
- Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
- Ability to use stairs frequently.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Competitive daily rate.
- Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match.
- Access to advanced simulator-based training.
- Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.
*Job sites across the nation*
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Applicants should apply as Captain if they’re confident operating z-drives on the Mississippi River or similar waters; as Mate if they’re experienced OICNW on vessels over 100' in inland conditions; and as Third Mate if they’re licensed and eager to build bridge watch skills while contributing heavily to deck operations. Choose the role that best matches your current capabilities and growth goals.
- What USCG license do you hold?
- What length of vessel are you most comfortable operating?
- No response needed, for faster application review, please apply to one of our positions at www.aclcareers.com/marine.
License/Certification:
- USCG Master License (Required)
Work Location: On the road
