Captain – Marine Operations

Job Description
Hornblower Groupis a global leader in experience and transportation.

Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems.

Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels.

Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity,provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California;
Boston, Massachusetts;
Chicago, Illinois;
London, United Kingdom;
New York, New York;
Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit

As a Captain with City Cruises UK, you’ll take pride in safely operating our iconic passenger vessels on the River Thames while delivering exceptional experiences to thousands of guests each year.

This is a highly visible, customer-facing role combining professional vessel command with leadership, teamwork and hospitality. You’ll work with a supportive crew, operate within a strong safety-first culture, and be trusted to represent one of the UK’s most established maritime brands.

• Competitive salary of £43,711. Progression to the next grade and salary increase to £52,108 within 3 – 6 months, dependent on a successful training period.
• A unique working environment on one of the world’s most famous rivers
• Great work/life balance on a rotational 3 days on, 2 days off shift pattern. Earliest start time is 08:15, and latest finish time is 19:05 (winter season) and 20:30 (summer season)
• Ongoing training and CPD, fully funded support to maintain and expand your qualifications
• Clear career progression opportunities within a global organisation
• A strong, inclusive team culture
• Free and discounted experiences across City Cruises and Hornblower Group brands
• Exposure to a wide range of operations, from sightseeing cruises to dining experiences and private charters

• Maintain the highest standards of safety for passengers and crew
• Ensure compliance with SMS, Passage Plan, PLA by-laws and maritime regulations
• Conduct safety briefings, announcements and onboard training

• Navigate and manoeuvre vessels safely on the River Thames
• Oversee mooring, embarking and disembarking procedures
• Complete daily vessel checks, logs and maintenance reporting

• Lead and support onboard crew, setting a professional example
• Deliver a welcoming, informative and enjoyable experience for passengers
• Act as an ambassador for City Cruises’ RESPECT values and brand

• Local Knowledge Endorsement (LKE)
• STCW
  95 certification
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience as Captain on passenger vessels
• (Applicants without an LPV will still be considered. Where necessary, City Cruises will support successful candidates in obtaining this endorsement)
• Experience in hospitality or tourism-led marine operations
• Strong working knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and DSM or ISM principles
• Thames guiding or commentary experience

All employees…