Tug Captain

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Colonial Towing, Inc. specializes in providing bunkering services in the ports of Savannah, GA, and Charleston, SC. As a Colonial Group, Inc. subsidiary, Colonial Towing partners with Colonial Oil Industries, Inc. to safely deliver the highest-quality marine-grade fuels at competitive prices.

Colonial Towing, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Colonial Group, Inc
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The Master is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the vessel, tow, and crew, ensuring all activities are conducted in accordance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This role provides overall leadership for vessel operations, including crew supervision, scheduling, performance management, equipment maintenance, voyage execution, and operational reporting.

The Master maintains vessel logs and required documentation, reports accidents, injuries, and operational deficiencies, oversees vessel provisioning and supply management, and ensures the seaworthiness and readiness of the vessel and barges. Additionally, the Master is accountable for maintaining a safe working environment by enforcing safety procedures, conducting emergency drills, ensuring regulatory compliance, and verifying that all required lifesaving, firefighting, and first aid equipment is properly maintained and that crew members are trained to respond effectively to emergencies.

Southeast Intracoastal Waterway experience required.

The Captain of the vessel serves as the Master. In the Captain's absence, the designated relief serves as Master.

The Master has overall authority and responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the vessel, tow, and crew.

Maintain a current U.S. Coast Guard license as Master or Operator of Towing Vessels, as required for the position.

Ensure the safe and efficient operation and performance of the crew, vessel, and tank barge.

Ensure vessels, barges, and associated equipment are maintained in a neat, clean, safe, and operational condition.

Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, rules, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Report violations of company policy or applicable laws and regulations to management.

Receive and execute operational orders for assigned equipment and voyages.

Coordinate crew assignments and vessel operations to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to schedule.

Ensure proper and efficient utilization of vessels, barges, equipment, and personnel.

Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to assigned crew members.

Immediately advise management of anticipated crew shortages or overages to allow for appropriate manning adjustments.

Maintain responsibility for crew discipline and performance.

Complete crew member performance evaluations as required.

Establish and maintain watch schedules for the crew.

Ensure no licensed wheelman works more than twelve (12) hours during any 24-hour period.

Ensure the vessel's station bill is properly posted.

Ensure all crew members understand their assigned stations, responsibilities, and duties during normal operations and emergencies.

Maintain responsibility for the seaworthiness, maintenance, cleanliness, appearance, and overall condition of the vessel.

Ensure assigned barges are maintained in a safe and navigable condition.

Inspect and monitor vessel and barge conditions and promptly report deficiencies to management.

Immediately report damaged or endangered barges and take appropriate action to protect personnel, equipment, cargo, and the environment.

Maintain general knowledge of vessel and barge mechanical and electrical systems and coordinate maintenance needs as appropriate.

Maintain an accurate and complete Vessel Daily Log.

Ensure required operational activities, incidents, and other reportable events are properly documented.

Report all crew injuries and illnesses to the General Manager or Operations Manager as soon as they become known.

Document crew injuries and illnesses in the Vessel Daily Log as required.

Report accidents involving actual or potential damage to the vessel, tow, barges, other vessels, bridges, docks, locks, buoys, or other fixed objects.

Report incidents involving cargo loss, contamination, spills, pollution, groundings, or wheel foulings regardless of the…