Second Mate
Listed on 2026-08-18
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Transportation
Aerospace / Aviation / Avionics, Pilot
WHO WE ARE
Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.
ABOUTTHE ROLE
As a Second Mate with Lindblad Expeditions, you're far more than a watch stander—you're a key part of the navigational team guiding guests safely through some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth. From plotting the safest course through narrow coastal waterways to navigating open-sea passages, you'll combine sharp technical skill with sound judgment to keep the ship, crew, and guests moving safely toward the next great discovery.
Beyond the bridge, you'll drive Zodiacs, help train and mentor crew, and ensure the vessel's navigation and safety systems are always ready for whatever the expedition brings.
This position is ideal for a licensed mariner who thrives on responsibility, enjoys the technical challenge of navigation and voyage planning, and wants their work to directly shape an unforgettable guest experience. You'll serve as a vital link on the bridge team aboard one of our U.S.
-flagged vessels, where precision, safety, and calm decision-making under pressure are always top priorities. If you're ready to put your maritime license to work in some of the world's most extraordinary waters, we'd love to have you aboard.
The Second Mate works approximately 12 hours per day of varied hours, on an approximately 6 weeks on/6 weeks off rotational schedule. Daily 12-hour shifts are comprised of standing two watches, administrative work, and small boat operations.
Watch Duty
Watch Duty
- Performs bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods; determines the ship's geographical position using all available means, including GPS, radar ranges, visual observations, and depth sounders.
- Makes necessary entries in navigation and radio logs.
- Handles the vessel, as directed by the Captain, in docking, anchoring, piloting, en route travel, close-quarters maneuvering, and open sea conditions.
- Navigates to avoid marine hazards such as reefs, outlying shoals, and shallow waters, using aids to navigation such as lights, lighthouses, and buoys.
Safety & Security
- Participates in onboard safety training, meetings, and drills as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding, and medical emergencies.
- Participates in shoreside training as required by the company.
- Relieves and/or performs gangway watch as directed by the duty schedule.
- Maintains familiarity with the ISM Code and its requirements.
- Maintains familiarity with all duties under the company's Safety Management System, including Emergency Response activities.
Small Boat Operations
- Drives inflatable boats as necessary.
- Assists with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.
Administrative
- Maintains navigation bridge supply inventories and requisitions.
- Performs chart and publication corrections, and maintains the vessel's chart inventory using U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard Notices to Mariners.
- Calculates and posts daily sunrise/sunset times and tide and current information.
- Creates the Voyage Plan waypoint spreadsheet for the Captain's review and approval, and enters voyage itinerary waypoints into GPS.
- Creates and maintains the New Hire Checklist, ensuring each Training Officer is aware of completion deadlines for employee training.
- Creates Training Completion Certificates for all shipboard training and sends them to the Seattle Office.
- Maintains electronic copies of all external and shipboard training certificates for each crew member onboard.
- Experience as Mate operating a passenger vessel, including navigation and bridge watch responsibilities, maintaining navigation/communications equipment,…
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