HOPPER CAPTAIN

Role Overview

Vessel and Dredging Operations

• Plan and execute dredging campaigns with the Chief Officer, Dredge Operator, Project Manager, Client, and Marine Superintendent.
• Conduct safe navigation during steaming, dredging, loading, sailing, disposal, and reclamation operations.
• Control vessel speed, heading, track, under-keel clearance, and dredging patterns during trailing operations.
• Monitor hopper loading, draft, trim, stability, free-surface effect, and loading limits.
• Ensure safe operation of bottom-door, rainbow, pump-ashore, and other discharge or reclamation methods.

Navigation and Systems

• Plan passages using bathymetry, seabed conditions, tides, currents, weather, traffic, under-keel clearance, and navigational hazards.
• Monitor ECDIS, DGPS, AIS, radar, echo sounder, dredging software, navigation software, and other bridge systems.
• Supervise DP or joystick systems where fitted during dredging, manoeuvring, and positioning operations.
• Coordinate bridge, dredging, pipe, and engine teams during dredging operations.

Compliance and Safety

• Ensure compliance with dredging permits, disposal-area requirements, Port and VTS instructions, and project marine procedures.
• Ensure compliance with COLREGs, SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ISM, Flag State, Class, and company SMS requirements.
• Monitor weather and sea-state limitations and suspend or modify operations when conditions become unsafe.
• Lead emergency response, drills, and contingency operations for grounding, collision, flooding, fire, pollution, and propulsion or steering loss.
• Ensure toolbox talks, risk assessments, permits to work, and project HSE requirements are implemented.

Records and Crew Leadership

• Maintain accurate deck, bridge, dredging, stability, cargo, hopper, and statutory records and reports.
• Liaise with port authorities, pilots, VTS, survey teams, clients, and other vessels.
• Monitor crew competency, watchkeeping, fatigue management, discipline, and safe working practices.
• Maintain the vessel in safe, seaworthy, and inspection-ready condition and report defects and incidents promptly.

Required Qualifications

• A valid certificate of competency and endorsements as a Class 1 Master is required.
• Valid GMDSS, medical fitness, and other STCW certificates are required.
• Ten years of experience onboard a trailing suction hopper dredger is required.