Job Posting

2 x Captain’s for Ghost Gear Retrieval

Position

Vessel Captain – Marine Debris & Ghost Gear Retrieval

Position Summary The Boat Captain is responsible for the protected operation of their vessel and must ensure that it is operated and crewed according to both company and legal guidelines.

Reporting Protocol

- This position reports directly to the Director of Fisheries
- Indirect Staff Responsibilities liaise with health department support staff and partners

Position Duties

- You must investigate any damage to the vessel, personal injuries of crew and the environmental effects of the vessel; this includes monitoring any pollution and checking for oil spills around the vessel and at ports and harbours.
- As a Boat Captain Health and Safety is a priority.
- The Boat Captain is responsible of crewmembers and the allocation of living quarters and work shifts of all crew members.
- You must maintain all on-board equipment, including machinery, engines and safety equipment with regular inspection.
- The Ship or Boat Captain must navigate vessels using maps, radars and lights by the use of electronic devices and the following of contour lines.
- Monitor daily progress of the vessel, observing speed, engine pressure and water depths, and signaling any passing ships is a key part of a Boat Captain’s role.
- The Boat Captain must conduct his crew in their tasks, monitoring the performance of the crew.
- Maintenance of the boat starting before season and after the season is done
- Report any incidents that may occur on the boat to the fishery manager
- Command vessels and direct operations
- Operate communications equipment
- Determine areas for fishing, plot courses and compute navigational positions
- Steer vessels and operate navigational instruments and electronic fishing aids
- Record fishing progress, crew activities, weather and sea conditions on boats log

Core Operational Skills & Responsibilities
- Precision Navigation & Targeted Grappling: Execute highly precise vessel maneuvering to position the boat directly over confirmed GPS anomaly coordinates. Shift operations away from traditional "blind dragging" toward targeted, fuel-efficient grapnel drops to minimize benthic habitat damage.
- Acoustic Mapping Integration: Work in tandem with onboard Ghost Gear Technicians to safely tow and maneuver high-resolution EdgeTech 4125 side-scan sonar equipment. Adjust vessel speed (typically 3–5 knots)



and heading to ensure optimal acoustic mapping of the seafloor prior to grapnel deployment.
- Heavy-Load Deck Operations: Oversee the safe execution of high-tension hydraulic winch operations. Captains must possess advanced experience hauling uncooperative, dead-weight loads, specifically waterlogged wire commercial lobster traps and heavily fouled vertical lines, ensuring the physical safety of a 5-person deckhand crew.
- Complex Tidal & Coastal Expertise: Leverage deep localized knowledge of the rocky substrates, shoals, and high-current environments in eastern LFA 29 and the Southern Shoal. Maintain strict vessel stability while hauling gear in complex tidal zones.
- Fishery Avoidance & Spatial Awareness: Navigate dynamic zones like Chedabucto Bay with a high degree of spatial awareness to avoid conflicts with active commercial fisheries (e.g., active shrimp trap sets) and designated DFO offsetting areas.
- Safety & Crew Leadership: Lead a 7-person team (co-captain, technician, and deckhands) during tightly capped 8-hour retrieval trips. Enforce strict deck safety protocols when transitioning heavy, unpredictable marine debris from the water column to the deck, and ultimately to the offloading staging area at the shipyard.

Working Conditions
- Employees will respect each other’s time, space, and need for concentration.
- Socializing and personal interruptions must not impede workflow.

- Employees are working in sensitive and confidential circumstances and are expected to maintain strict workplace confidence at work and out of work.

- All business communications, whether verbal, visual, or written, whether for internal or external use, will be professional in tone and content and according to any applicable and existing Human Resources policies and standards.
- Employees are encouraged to recommend ideas for the improvement of their department and job that are consistent with the departments work and standards.
- Work issues and problems must be brought to the attention of the employee’s supervisor in writing so the concern may be addressed within the structure of the Human Resources Manual.




- Employees may be asked from time to time to cover other areas of accountability and/or departments to support the organization.

- All employees will ensure a safe working environment that is a drug and alcohol free.

Harmful or dangerous materials/activities/machines
- Confined spaces
- Dangerous situations and areas include:
- Outdoors
- In/on water
- Wet/damp
- Cold/refrigerated

- Work Conditions and Physical Capabilities
- Work under pressure
- Handling heavy loads
- Physically demanding
- Manual dexterity
- Attention to detail
- Hand-eye co-ordination
- Bending, crouching, kneeling
- Large workload
- The physical demands for the above include: standing, sitting, walking, lifting and carrying, reaching, handling, kneeling, crouching, and bending.
- Non-physical demands are as follows.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
- The nature of the position may expose the Receptionist to a moderate level of tension and anxiety due to deadlines and the competing needs and demands for the limited financial and human resources.
- The position can expect frequent change of tasks, working closely with others as part of a team, and frequent tedious exacting work.

- Office machine toners and ink
- Stressful situations
- Conflict management

Academic/Educational Requirements

- The successful completion of a
- Marine Emergency Duties Certificate
- Fishing Master's Certificate
- Medical Certificate
- ROC Certificate
- Deck Hand Course
- Mechanical Course

Management Ability
- Must have a proficient level of communication skills, verbal and written.
- Must possess excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Proficient financial skills essential.
- Excellent Human Relations/Public Relations skills essential.
- Excellent Management/Administration skills essential.
- Excellent Conflict Resolution skills essential.
- Excellent negotiation and mediation skills an asset.
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills an asset.

How to Apply Interested applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume outlining how your education, experience, and skills meet the requirements of the position.

Application must include

- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Professional References
- Criminal Record Search – may be required by Potlotek First Nation

Please submit documents on BambooHR or email [email protected] Application Deadline: October 28, 2026, at 4:00 pm

Tentative Interview Date: November 4, 2026 – in person

📌 Vessel Captain - Ghost Gear Retrieval x 2 (Lynche River)
🏢 Potlotek First Nation
📍 Lynche River