Canadian Maritime Engineering Ltd. is seeking an experienced Shipyard Chargehand to supervise crews performing vessel refit, repair, haul-out, launching, and shipyard operations.

This is a working supervisory position. The successful candidate will be expected to provide hands-on support when required while directing daily activities, maintaining productivity, and ensuring work is completed safely and to the required quality standards.

Responsibilities

- Supervise and direct employees and subcontractors working on vessel refit and repair projects.
- Plan daily work activities, assign tasks, and communicate priorities to the crew.
- Coordinate vessel haul-outs, launches, transfers, and movements within the shipyard.
- Oversee vessel blocking, cribbing, shoring, and support arrangements in accordance with approved plans and safe-work procedures.
- Coordinate cranes, lifting equipment, rigging, forklifts, and other equipment required for shipyard operations.
- Confirm vessel particulars, lifting arrangements, ground conditions, tides, clearances, and equipment requirements before haul-out or launch activities.
- Coordinate welding, mechanical, electrical, painting, rigging, and general shipyard work.
- Review drawings, work packages, specifications, and customer requirements with the crew.
- Monitor job progress, labour hours, materials, equipment, and schedule requirements.
- Identify production concerns, delays, material shortages, and additional work, and report them promptly to project management.
- Ensure employees understand their assignments and have the information, materials, and equipment required to complete the work.
- Conduct toolbox meetings, field-level hazard assessments, and pre-job planning.
- Enforce requirements for hot work, confined-space entry, fall protection, lockout, lifting, and environmental protection.
- Inspect work areas and vessel supports throughout the project and address unsafe conditions immediately.
- Coordinate required quality inspections and hold points with QC personnel and project management.




- Maintain accurate daily records, progress updates, timecards, and job documentation.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, respectful communication, and safe work practices.
- Provide hands-on assistance with shipyard work when required.

Qualifications:
- Significant experience in a marine shipyard, vessel repair facility, or similar heavy-industrial environment.
- Previous chargehand, foreperson, lead-hand, or crew-supervision experience.
- Demonstrated experience with vessel haul-outs, launches, blocking, cribbing, and shipyard movements.
- Solid understanding of rigging, lifting operations, vessel stability, and safe blocking practices.
- Journeyman certification in welding, fabrication, mechanics, millwrighting, or another relevant trade is preferred.
- Ability to read and understand drawings, docking plans, work packages, and technical specifications.
- Strong planning, leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to organize several trades and work activities while maintaining schedule and quality requirements.
- Crane, forklift, rigging, fall-protection, confined-space, or occupational first-aid certification is considered an asset.
- Valid driver’s licence is preferred.
- Ability to work outdoors and perform physically demanding work in changing weather conditions.
- Dependable, professional, safety-focused, and willing to lead by example.

What We Offer:
- Permanent full-time employment.
- Competitive union wages and benefits.
- A leadership role on varied vessel refit and repair projects.
- A safety-focused and team-oriented working environment.
- Opportunities for continued training and professional development.

To Apply: Please submit your résumé, trade credentials, and relevant supervisory or safety certifications.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not call us.

Pay: $35.00-$46.53 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Work Location: In person

📌 SHIPYARD CHARGEHAND (Port Alberni)
🏢 Canadian Maritime Engineering
📍 Port Alberni