Dispatcher, Transportation

Bay Towing, LLC is a Gulf Coast maritime towing company providing harbor assist, ship docking, escort, hold-in, and standby services to vessels transiting and working in our ports of operation. Our fleet and our people are what move commerce — and keeping them coordinated, safe, and effective is the mission of every Dispatcher we hire. We are a team that takes operations seriously, holds each other accountable, and takes pride in flawless execution.

Bay Towing, LLC is a Gulf Coast maritime towing company providing harbor assist, ship docking, escort, hold-in, and standby services to vessels transiting and working in our ports of operation. Our fleet and our people are what move commerce — and keeping them coordinated, safe, and effective is the mission of every Dispatcher we hire. We are a team that takes operations seriously, holds each other accountable, and takes pride in flawless execution.

The Dispatcher is the Watch Stander — the eyes and ears of Bay Towing's operations center around the clock. You will exercise genuine independent judgment, manage multiple moving pieces simultaneously, and be the critical link between vessel crew, docking pilots, ship agents, port authorities and vessel traffic control. This is not a passive role — it is a command function executed from shore.

You will work 12-hour rotating shifts on a defined cycle that includes Day Watch, Night Watch, Standby, and Off periods — designed for operational coverage and maximum consecutive time off.

• Stand the watch as primary communicator between vessels, pilots, agents, harbor masters, terminal operators, and Bay Towing management.
• Receive and process job orders; assign and dispatch appropriate and tugs for every harbor assist, docking, escort, standby, and sailing job.
• Maintain live, accurate data in HELM Connect throughout the watch — tracking every vessel's location, status, crew, and scheduled movements.
• Keep vessel traffic control briefed on ship-owner contracts, tug assignments, and any operational or safety factors relevant to each job.
• Monitor vessel traffic, channel conditions, weather, and tidal patterns to anticipate and prevent service disruptions.
• Coordinate emergency notification with tugs and appropriate shoreside management. Serve as hub for initial notification of incident reporting.
• Maintain complete dispatch logs, position reports, billing support documentation, and shift records throughout every watch within HELM Connect.
• Execute a thorough, professional watch relief brief — every time, without exception.

• Valid TWIC card, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire
• Valid driver's license
• Strong computer skills — Outlook, Excel, Word
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment under pressure
• Reliable and fully available per the rotating watch schedule
• Strong attention to detail
• Must pass pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background check

• 2+ years in harbor towing dispatch, port operations, vessel traffic, or maritime crewing strongly preferred
• VHF marine radio experience and multi-line phone proficiency
• Knowledge of Gulf Coast waterways, terminals, tides, and port operations
• USCG MMC or prior sea service experience strongly encouraged to apply
• Familiarity with dispatch software – HELM Connect or vessel tracking systems Ship Tracks

• Salaried / Exempt position
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• PTO Time
• 401K Retirement plan