Second Mate

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Key Information

Job title: Second Mate - WF_SD1

Salary : £42,460 + 10% Unsocial Hours Allowance 

Location : Woolwich Ferry

The closing date for applications is 28th October 2025 @ 23:59 hours 

As Second Mate, you’ll direct and supervise the safe and efficient loading and unloading of vehicles and passengers to/from the North and South terminals and the vessels of the WF service.

Ensuring all deck crew execute their duties and responsibilities, including the routine inspections of the vessels, ensuring a high standard of upkeep of the vessels and terminals at all times.

In the absence of, or operational requirement for, you’ll act as Mate and assume all the duties of the Mate, Woolwich Ferries with authorisation and direction of the captain.
Undertaking such duties and responsibilities as required by the Captain or Operations Manager from time to time in the delivery of operational services at the Woolwich Ferry.

PLEASE NOTE :You will be required to work  shifts , including nights. 

Key Accountabilities

•    Ensure compliance with the Woolwich Ferry Safety Management System and other regulatory requirements (which may from time to time be amended) and industry best practice at all times.
•    Ensure full compliance with TfL and WF standard operating procedures and policies at all times.
•    Carry out, and report on, daily safety inspections, vehicle and passenger counts, safe mooring and unmooring operations; and to report any difficulties, deficiencies/damage to the vessel, personal injuries to the crew and car park attendants, and any environmental incidents.
•    Support the facilitation of fire, evacuation and emergency drills, and undertake cleaning of the vessels in particular the accommodation for crew and passengers and the car/vehicle deck areas.
•    Co-ordinate Deckhands operational requirements and cover.
•    Supervise Deckhands in routine maintenance and repair task on the vessel, and for such work under the WF OPM system.
•    Supervise searching of passengers and vehicles from time to time as required under the WF Security Plan.
•    To act in times of emergency to safeguard passengers, crew, WF staff, other river users, vessels, and terminal infrastructure.

Skills

• 
  Competent in the use of ferry traffic loading and unloading controls and systems. (Desirable)
• Support efficient crew rostering (Desirable)
• Support efficient crew Training (Essential)
• Ability to write detailed investigative reports. (Essential)
• Excellent verbal and written communications. (Essential)
  Ability to use own initiative to ensure safe working practices are followed at all times. (Essential)

Knowledge

•    Must hold a Level 1, Tier 2, Boatmasters License for category D, UK inland waterways and Local Knowledge Certificate; or the above with a relevant PEC for the above area; or a superior STCW certificate with the relevant PEC for the area of operation. (Essential)
•    In depth and in date maritime regulatory knowledge for a passenger/freight ferry operation. (Desirable)
•    Expert up to date knowledge of marine Safety Management Systems, in particular the WF SMS. (Desirable)
•    Good knowledge of competent crewing, vessel and auxiliary machinery operation. (Desirable)
•    MCA approved Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) certificate of competency, or equivalent. (Essential)
•    Up to date in MCA Competent Crew familiarisation. (Desirable)

Experience 

•    Significant deckhand experience of a passenger/vehicle ferry operation. (Desirable)
•    Experience of safe and efficient loading and unloading of vehicles and foot passengers and associated systems of work and standard operating procedures. (Desirable)
•    Supervision of Deckhand performance, conduct and compliance with WF working practices and policies. (Desirable)
•    Co-ordinating crew in emergency situations. (Desirable)

Application Process 

 
Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV . Word format only and do not include any photographs or images

 Please apply using a two-page CV in Word (.docx) format

Please Note: This is a safety critical role; therefore, Occupational Health Clearance will be required (ENG1 Medical)

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. 

 
Benefits  

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow.  Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:
 
Final salary pension scheme 
Free travel for you on the TfL network 
Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket
30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays 
TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
Retail, health, leisure and travel offers 
Discounted Eurostar travel