About Vancouver Island Ferry Company (VIFC) and Hullo

We’re the Vancouver Island Ferry Company, a modern Canadian ferry company transforming how we travel in British Columbia. It’s all about being an easier, faster, and more enjoyable ferry experience.

Headquartered in Nanaimo and operating under our service brand Hullo, we will provide service between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo. We’re talking comfortable and reliable sailings , a seamless booking process complete with reservable seats, and refreshments that will be just that…fresh. Say goodbye to the biggest pain points of travel and be ready to be welcomed aboard with a smile and a “hullo”.

The Hullo Culture

At Hullo, we're all about taking things to the next level! Our obsession with safety and delivering an unforgettable guest experience is only matched by our passion for constant improvement. We don't settle for the ordinary - we encourage our employees to think outside the box, innovate and make waves. With data-driven decision making and a continuous improvement mindset, we are committed to raising the bar in everything we do.

VIFC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in our organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and any other category protected under applicable law. We welcome all qualified applicants who contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

About the Role

We are looking for driven and experienced captains to join and help shape the future of the company. Hullo Captains will champion the onboard team and foster a best-in-class customer experience. Safety, reliability, and passenger satisfaction are our commitments to its passengers. To achieve our reliability commitment and support our team, Our Captains will command two brand new state-of-the-art, purpose-built Damen 4212 high speed (fast ferry) vessels.

At Hullo, we value the well-being of our crew members and prioritize your work-life balance. As a result, we take a unique approach to staffing, ensuring that our crew members have a predictable schedule throughout the year. This allows you to plan your life with certainty and achieve a healthy work-life balance. Hullo invests in our employees by providing full-time permanent positions and a condensed work scheduled.

Day-to-day, our Captains will lead their crew in providing a reliable, efficient,



and friendly service while also working to proactively identify opportunities to improve the company’s service standards and performance. This is an exciting and fast-paced opportunity for ambitious, experienced captains. Hullo's Captains will have a meaningful voice in designing and optimizing our service and will have a direct impact on the success of the company and its culture.

Responsibilities

- Vessel Operations Management
- Oversee all vessel operations, including navigation, maintenance, and compliance with government and industry regulations.
- Crew Training and Mentorship
- Train and mentor crew members on safety procedures to ensure a culture of safety and preparedness.
- Team Supervision
- Supervise onboard crew, fostering teamwork and acting as a cultural steward for the brand.
- Seaworthiness Assurance
- Ensure the vessel's seaworthiness prior to each departure.
- Process Improvement
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and reliability.
- Guest Experience Enhancement
- Deliver a consistently positive guest experience.
- Safe Navigation
- Safely captain the vessel, providing explicit direction to crew members and maintaining accurate records of personnel and resources.
- Safety Protocol Compliance
- Uphold safety protocols for all activities, adhering to company policies and procedures.
- Emergency Preparedness Training
- Ensure the crew is fully trained and capable of executing assigned tasks during drills and emergency scenarios.
- Training and Development
- Participate in training exercises and support the development of contractors and VIFC personnel.
- Operational Oversight
- Oversee the completion of monthly work orders, vessel operations, annual equipment refits, and dry docking, as well as assist with regulatory inspections (e.g., Transport Canada).
- Onboarding and Training
- Provide training for new hires, seasonal staff, and contractors.
- Collaborative Service Organization
- Collaborate with senior managers and fellow captains to create an effective service organization that best meets customer needs

Requirements

- Valid Transport Canada Master 3000 Gross Tonnage TC certification or equivalent




- Reciprocal Agreement candidates are encouraged to apply (Certifications from Australia, Ukraine, UK, Ireland etc…)
- Ability to legally work within Canada (Work permit, PR, Citizen)
- Valid STCW Certificates
- Valid Canadian SFM
- Passenger Safety Management (a bonus)

Bonus: Knowledge of the navigation of the Salish Sea and /or experience on routes similar in nature

We’re Here for You

At Hullo, we prioritize the well-being of our crew and promote a healthy work-life balance. Our unique staffing approach provides predictable schedules, allowing you to plan your life with certainty. We offer full-time permanent positions, a condensed work schedule, paid time off, and opportunities to earn valuable sea time for career advancement.

We get it – sometimes things happen in life that you can’t control. At VIFC, people are our greatest asset, and we want to support you and those you care about beyond the paycheque. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive health and wellness benefits program to promote your physical and mental well-being so you can perform at your best. Better yet, it’s flexible since one size doesn’t fit all!

- Guaranteed full-time hours for the entire year 100% VIFC-paid premiums
- A robust, flexible health spending account – use it for additional health coverage should you need it and/or to support your personal wellness (like paying for your gym membership, sporting equipment, or activity classes)
- Don’t have a family doctor? No worries – we offer 24/7 virtual access to doctors or nurse practitioners to get medical advice or a prescription
- Support your retirement planning with annual employer RRSP contributions
- Annual Paid Vacation

What We’re Looking For

- A strong interest and ability to thrive in a dynamic start-up environment, where agility and innovation are key.
- A natural curiosity, humility, and hunger for growth
- Process-driven with a meticulous eye for detail, you take pride in ensuring accuracy and mastering all aspects of your work.
- A mindset centered on solutions, with a proactive desire to build, improve, and implement effective strategies.
- Quick to embrace change, you effortlessly navigate shifting priorities and evolving challenges.
- A creative thinker who thrives on innovation, eager to infuse fresh ideas into our team and drive transformative projects forward.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $68.28 per hour

Work Location: In person

📌 Captain (Nanaimo)
🏢 Vancouver Island Ferry
📍 Nanaimo