Chief Officer for Saga Cruises

We are looking for experienced CHIEF OFFICER, ready to join SAGA cruises end of  November 2025, required experienced as such, all valid Certificates (  Master unlimited ), contract 2 months on/off.

LICENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Required – Chief Mate Unlimited
• Desired – Master Mariner Unlimited

LINE MANAGER
• Staff Captain

DIRECT REPORTS
• 2nd Officers
• 3rd Officers
• Quartermasters
• Deck Cadets

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In normal operating conditions the composition of the watches will be 2 certified deck officers and 2 quartermasters. You will be the senior of the two watchkeepers (SOOW). You will normally hold the charge at sea unless relieved by another SOOW or a more senior officer. You shall assign yourself, or be assigned, and assign to others, any roles you and they are qualified to hold under VS22 (BRM Directive), which you should be familiar with and follow in letter and spirit.
Your direct reports may have responsibilities that are not specifically listed in your job description here. You are responsible for their conduct and their satisfactory discharge of these duties and must give support, and issue whatever instruction or guidance is required to support them in pursuit of those duties. To achieve this, you will need to work closely
Staff Captain
Safety Officer
Chief Officer (Navigator)
2ndOfficer
3rdOfficer

Key Responsibilities

Where your own Responsibilities are supported by another Deck Watch keeper, you retain overall accountability and should issue clear guidance and instruction on how the workload will be spread and what your expectations are.
You will complete object setting and appraisals for all your direct reports. You will give regular feedback to them on your expectations and your view of their performance, listening to their considerations, so that no item discussed in an appraisal comes as a surprise to them.
Assist the Staff Captain with Responsibility #10 ‘Key System & Safe’ by
• Auditing the presence and use of the keys issued to the Bridge
Assist the Staff Captain with Responsibility #18 ‘Log Books and Shipping Legislation’ by
• Reviewing the entries made to deck or other log books by Deck Watchkeepers and providing them feedback or guidance on the quality thereof
• Instructing Deck Watchkeepers on additional entries that they may need to make during their watches either routinely or in extraordinary circumstances
Responsibility #20 ‘Cadet Training’ by
• Meeting with all newly joined cadets in order to ascertain their level of experience, knowledge and what the focus for their training will be
• Drawing up a schedule for their working.
• Briefing members of the team with whom they will be working in order to ensure that all work will be carried out safely and in accordance with drawn up procedures
• Meeting with cadets regularly to measure their progress, sign appropriate TRB tasks, and keep them appraised of your expectations and how their progression is viewed
• Reviewing their work to provide feedback
Responsibility #21 ‘Navigation Planning and Execution’ (passage planning) by
• Preparing, prior to sailing on any voyage or if changes are made during the voyage, for the Master’s approval, course lines and a planned approach for each part of the voyage, from berth to berth, including a such an approach for departure, arrival and closing land giving at all times safe clearance from all dangers
• Providing sufficient information and annotations on the ENCs and in the voyage plan that navigating officers are briefed on the execution of the plan and that it is completed with full regard to safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment
• Preparing alternative plans should the former be frustrated
• Informing the Master of navigational progress during each voyage including speed and other relevant matters
• Laying down of course lines for future itineraries and thus preparing the cruise planner showing planned ETAs, ETDs, pilot times and all distances and required speeds
• Informing the Master and through them the company promptly of any unduly high speeds or impractical arrival times
• Ensuring that the navigational charts (ENCs) and publications required for future itineraries are available and sufficient
• Preparing or causing to be prepared any other information as may be required in order to conduct a full appraisal of upcoming voyages
• You are assisted in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
• You are assisted in this Responsibility by 3rd/4th Officer (Nav Support)
Responsibility #21 ‘Navigation Planning and Execution’ (navigation equipment) by
• Monitoring the operational condition of all navigation instruments
• Instigating any corrective or remedial activity required to maintain safety of the vessel
• Drawing the Master and Staff Captain’s attention to any deficiencies or defects that you cannot reasonably resolve on your own recognisance
• You are supported in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
Responsibility #22 ‘Charts and Publications’ by
• Ensuring that the navigational ENCs carried on board are the latest available, up to date and sufficient for the current and upcoming voyages
• Ensuring that the publications required for the itinerary, by the flag or port state or by the company, are carried on board and are the latest available
• You are supported in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
Responsibility #23 ‘Bridge Watchkeeping’ by
• Setting a positive example to all Deck Watchkeepers on the professional execution of your duties as a Deck Watchkeeper
• Providing feedback and guidance to Deck Watchkeepers on the conduct of their watches
• Conducting touch drills with your own watch team and the others, including with Quartermasters, in order that all watches are able to respond to emergency situations calmly, quickly and effectively
Responsibility #26 ‘Communications’ by
• Ensuring that the assigned Deck Watchkeeper undertakes all required maintenance, tests and inspections of the vessel’s GMDSS equipment
• Briefing Deck Watchkeepers on the use of the equipment to ensure they are competent in both routine and emergency use

Additional Duties:
• Ensure that planned and unplanned maintenance assigned to their discipline is conducted and reported.
• Attend passenger social events as directed by the Head of Department.
• Partake in inspections, trainings and meetings as directed by the Head of Department.
• Ensure direct reports are line managed effectively in accordance with Saga and V.Ships appraisal policies
• Ensure accessibility to direct reports and support individual’s needs, sourcing advice and reporting matters of a personal nature confidentially to the Head of Department where necessary.
• Other shipboard tasks pertaining to departmental operations as directed by Head of Department.
• Attending trainings and office visits arranged by V.Ships where possible

About Saga

Our People are important to us, they are proud of their profession and hold a strong loyalty and affinity to the Saga Cruises brand and deliver a personalised service to our guests.

They lead our ships with a strong sense of purpose that reflects the values and behaviors of the 'Saga Way' They see the world through our guests' eyes and exceed their expectations - nothing is too much trouble!

We support our people in fulfilling their individual potential and ambitions and ensure everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of rank or origin. Working onboard a Saga vessel is like being welcomed into a new family as 'One' Saga'

Our people are proud of their ships and the role they play in making every cruise a success!

Welcome to the world of Boutique-ship cruising with Saga.