Port Captain

Overview

Founded in 1987 by the late David Packard, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is a nonprofit oceanographic research center advancing marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. Located in Moss Landing, California, the heart of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, MBARI offers ready access to the open ocean and deep sea. Ongoing research programs range across autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicle systems, control technologies, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, ocean instrumentation, and information management.

MBARI hosts approximately 200 employees, with shore facilities that include state-of-the-art science and engineering laboratories, manufacturing and electrical fabrication shops, and dock facilities for MBARI vessels. These include coastal vessels such as R/V Rachel Carson and R/V Paragon, plus a fleet of robotic vehicles, cabled observatories, and buoy systems. MBARI recently commissioned the building of a new flagship vessel, R/V David Packard, which became available in the spring of 2025.

David Packard is a Coast Guard inspected subchapter U vessel, DNV Classed 1A, STCW, SOLAS, and ISM regulated vessel. Its home port is Moss Landing, California.

MBARI is seeking an experienced, safety-focused Port Captain to manage and oversee vessel operations and regulatory oversight. When at sea, command may include both Rachel Carson and David Packard, a newly delivered dynamic positioning diesel-electric research vessel, both operating on the U.S. West Coast. The successful candidate will lead complex, multidisciplinary science missions emphasizing ROV operations, multibeam hydrographic surveys, and precision station-keeping.

This position requires demonstrated technical competence with integrated bridge systems and dynamic positioning systems, proven operational leadership, regulatory/compliance expertise, and the ability to motivate and develop a small technical ship’s team.

Under the general direction of the Director of Marine Operations, the incumbent initiates and completes actions necessary to carry out assigned tasks.

Rachel Carson primarily conducts single day missions, returning to Moss Landing the same day. David Packard, which conducts extended expeditions, maintains the following shipboard living conditions:
Standard two-person cabins (single person for Captain and Chief Engineer) meeting MLC standards. Personnel have access to satellite internet with bandwidth restrictions. The ship also offers a small gym and good coffee.

The Port Captain position is a mixed position with the majority for shore side support, complemented by sea time.

Shore side Port Captain responsibilities consist of:

• Vessel operations oversight
• Coordinate and supervise vessel arrivals, departures, and port calls.
• Liaise with port authorities, coast guard and coastal commissions.
• Ensure efficient cargo loading, unloading, and stowage planning.
• Monitor fuel, water, provisions, and other consumable requirements.
• Safety and regulatory compliance
• Enforce compliance with international maritime regulations (e.g., SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM Code).
• Plan safety inspections and audits of vessels in port.
• Review and update safety management systems (SMS).
• Ensure crew and science adherence to environmental protection policies.
• Crew and personnel management
• Oversee crew changes and ensure adequate manning levels.
• Recruit, interview, hire, and supervise vessel and shore personnel including regular, full time, and temporary.
• Assist in resolving personnel or performance issues onboard.
• Maintenance and technical support
• Coordinate planned maintenance and repair work with ship engineers, shipyard and shore-based teams.
• Verify that vessels maintain proper certification and survey schedules.
• Monitor vessel performance, fuel efficiency, and technical condition.
• Documentation and reporting
• Prepare port call plans and reports, inspection logs, and operational summaries.
• Maintain updated vessel records, certificates, and voyage documentation.
• Assist with other MBARI priorities or other tasks as assigned.
• Emergency response
• Report incidents and non-conformities.
• Serve as a key contact during risks and incidents (flood or tsunami alert, collisions, spills, machinery failures).
• Lead or assist in accident investigations and root cause analysis.
• Ensure contingency plans are up to date and tested.

As relief Captain for MBARI vessels missions ranging from day-long to maximally month-long duration. At sea responsibilities, about 40 percent of the time, include:

• Act as Sailing Master / Relief Captain during assigned voyages: assume overall command and safe operation of the vessel and embarked personnel during missions.
• Conduct voyage planning, passage planning, risk assessments, fuel/stores planning, and coordination with science teams.
• Operate and supervise integrated bridge systems and dynamic positioning systems, lead dynamic positioning watch teams.
• Provide operational oversight for ROV operations, multibeam mapping, CRT…