ATB Captain

About Us:

Since 2021, McAllister Towing LNG Services, LLC serves as technical manager for Polaris New Energy’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operations in Florida. McAllister currently operates the POLARIS / CLEAN CANAVERAL articulated tug and barge (ATB) unit and will begin operating the TORTUGA / CLEAN EVERGLADES ATB out of Jacksonville, Florida, in 2027. Both units are designed to transport LNG coastwise and deliver it as marine fuel.

The POLARIS and TORTUGA is a 4,000-horsepower tug fitted with a JAK-400 coupling system and paired with the CLEAN CANAVERAL and CLEAN EVERGLADES, a 5,500-cubic-meter LNG bunkering barge.

Delivered by Master Boat Builders in 2024, the TORTUGA is a 109-foot, 4,000-horsepower tug powered by two EPA Tier 4 Caterpillar 3512E engines. It features twin Berg MTA 523 Z-drives and a Beacon Finland JAK coupling system. The tug is paired with the CLEAN EVERGLADES, a 5,500-cubic-meter LNG bunkering barge built by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and delivered in 2023.

Job Title: ATB Captain

Salary: $1050/day (2027 rates)

Reports to: The ATB Captain reports to the General Manager for guidance and the safe and proper conduct of their duties.

Supervises: The ATB Captain is responsible for and is required to supervise all crewmembers of the vessel to which he/she is assigned.

Duties as Master:

- Master operates, manages, controls tug and barge(s) and assigned crew members as directed by Operations personnel. They shall be guided at all times by their primary responsibilities, namely the safety of those entrusted to their care, the safety of the vessel(s), and the protection of the marine environment. Implement, operate and maintain the assigned vessel and crew in accordance with the quality, safety, security and environmental protection policies and procedures in accordance with McAllister Quality Safety Management System.
- The Master operates, manages and controls tugs and barges and assigned crew members as directed by Operations personnel. They shall be guided at all times by their primary responsibilities, namely the safety of those entrusted to their care, the safety of the vessels, the safety of the cargo and the protection of the marine environment.
- The Master reports to the General Manager for guidance and the safe and proper conduct of their duties.
- Masters are delegated by top management as the representative of management responsible for the execution of assigned orders and conduct of the vessel in accordance with all standard industry practices, principles of good seamanship, applicable company policies, and local, state and federal regulations. As such, the Master carries full responsibility and overriding authority in relation to matters of occupational health, safety, quality, and of pollution protection on board the vessel and may request any assistance from the Company as deemed necessary.

General Responsibilities:

- Provide appropriate instruction and supervision of crew members to ensure the highest attainable level of safety is achieved.
- Motivate the crew to follow and adhere to McAllister’s Quality Safety Management System
- Vessel Security Officer (VSO) in charge of implementing and maintaining the AWO Alternative Security Program.
- Reviewing the company management system through Master’s Review to evaluate its efficiency, reporting any observed deficiencies to the DPA.
- Ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the vessel.
- Project a positive company image and maintain professional, amicable relationships with customers, pilots, terminal personnel and the public at all times.
- Serve as Officer in Charge of the Navigation Watch.

Operational Responsibilities:

- Manage the day-to-day operation of the tug barge unit, including maintaining communication with shore-side management, submitting daily reports and acting as liaison between the vessel crew and the office.
- Overseeing assigned barge loading and discharge operations; reviewing load and discharge plans.
- The Master shall make known immediately to his office any collision, stranding, fire, grounding, personnel injury onboard his vessel. Act as the Incident Commander until properly relieved.
- Ensuring that vessel-related logs and paperwork are properly completed, submitted and maintained as required; ensuring timely submittal of reports for accidents, near-misses, injuries and illnesses that occur on their assigned vessels.
- Taking corrective action for observed safety violations, unsafe equipment and noncompliance with established procedures.
- Ensuring that supplies required by the vessel are requisitioned in a timely manner.
- Ensuring that safety equipment is properly located, maintained and operational.
- Other duties as may be assigned by the General Manager or his/her designated representative.

Personnel Responsibilities:

- Developing and communicating work schedules for crew onboard the vessel in compliance with USCG work hour regulations; advising appropriate shore-side personnel of crewing requirements.
- Verifying proper license and/or documentation of crew members.
- Ensuring that crew treat one another and terminal personnel in a professional and courteous manner.
- Appraising crew member performance; disciplining, addressing complaints and resolving problems in accordance with Company policy.
- Posting station bills for emergency duties when required.

Equipment Responsibilities:

- Overseeing maintenance programs on tugs and barges; ensuring that the scheduled maintenance and appropriate logs and reports for the vessel are completed when due.
- Making regular inspections of the entire tug and on barges taken in tow, taking corrective action or reporting any deficiencies for observed safety violations, unsafe equipment and non-compliance with established procedures.
- Notifying the appropriate shore-side personnel immediately when equipment deemed essential to the safe operation of the vessel suffers a malfunction.
- Safety/Regulatory Responsibilities
- Ensuring that the local, national, and international regulations are complied with.
- Ensuring drills and safety meetings are carried out in accordance with prescribed schedules. Maintain vessel and crew readiness for emergency responses.
- Enforcing Company PPE policies (i.e. use of work vests, hard hats, work shoes).
- Ensuring tug documentation and certificates are accurate and up-to-date.
- Acting as Incident Commander for emergency operations when required.
- Ensure the availability and serviceability of required lifesaving equipment.
- Verify the serviceability of all installed fire detection and firefighting systems and equipment.
- Require accommodations to be maintained in safe, clean condition at all times.
- Conduct and report the results of periodic vessel audits and inspections.

Minimum Requirements:

- Current U.S. Coast Guard license for Master of Towing Vessels - Oceans with appropriate tonnage rating, radar, and GMDSS endorsement. Master 1600 GRT and ARPA endorsement preferred.
- Proficiency in Z-Drive tugs required
- Person In Charge – Liquid Gas, preferred
- Current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential, any rating.
- STCW Certification
- Valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Pass pre-employment drug test and pre-employment physical.
- Minimum one year serving as Master or Mate of towing vessels.

Physical Requirements:

- The unpredictable, ever-changing and inherently dangerous nature of tug and towing operations require the ATB Captain to be physically qualified to ensure his/her own safety, as well as that of the vessel and crew. Specific physical requirements include:
- Adequate vision (i.e., absent any color blindness or impairment that cannot be corrected with prescription lenses).
- Adequate hearing.
- Capable of walking and standing on wet surfaces for extended periods of time.
- Able to handle heavy lines and operate heavy machinery.
- Ability to climb a 12-foot ladder without assistance.
- Ability to hoist oneself up and over a 12-inch wide, 6-foot-high barrier.
- Sufficient strength to:

Lift 100 lbs. from deck to waist level;
- Lift 50 lbs. from deck to shoulder level;
- Lift 35 lbs. from deck to overhead; and
- Pull (drag) 120 lbs. at least 20 feet.

FLSA Status: Exempt

*This position description does not promise or imply that the functions listed are the only duties to be performed or that the position may not change or be eliminated. Employees are always expected to follow their supervisor’s instructions and to perform the tasks requested by their supervisors.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of McAllister Towing not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.