Sailing Master – TS Royalist Location: Operating from Gosport, but sailing around the UK and near-continent Contract: Full Time, permanent Salary: Competitive Closing Date: 29 October 2023 Are you a commercially endorsed Yacht Master (Offshore) who is looking for a new opportunity of working onboard a 24M Square Rigged Brig? The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a vibrant and growing charity, delivering life-changing nautical adventure for young people, to give them the best possible head start in life. We also provide personal and professional development opportunities for seafarers with the Marine Society. Working with our staff, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a vision and five-year strategy to take us forward and further improve the astounding contribution already made through our work to the lives of thousands of young people and seafarers, while fully supporting our volunteers who are vital to our success. We are currently looking for a Sailing Master / 1st Mate to join our team. About the role The primary purpose of the Sailing Master is to be the second-in-command of the TS Royalist and to lead as the vessel’s safety officer and training officer. responsible for the safe operation and navigation whilst on watch and to deliver of safe and effective sail training and the co-ordination and tasking of the ship’s staff. The Marine Society and Sea Cadets operates the TS Royalist, a 24M brig as its flagship. The Sailing Master is the Second-in-Command of TS Royalist and is an employee of the MSSC and a member of the Head of Offshore’s staff. The ship is operates from Gosport (Hampshire), though its sailing season sees it operate throughout the UK’s waters and the near continent. Due to the nature of the work, this post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the post holder will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The vessel mainly undertakes 6-day voyages for up to 24 Cadets, from early March to the end of November. On occasion, the TS Royalist may venture further afield, in order to take part in events such as the Tall Ship Races. From December to February, the vessel undergoes winter maintenance, which may include a docking, usually in the Portsmouth area. The particular demands of seagoing employment require the incumbent to be available for duty for prolonged periods and working hours cannot be defined in terms of numbers of hours per week, nor will overtime be recognised. The hours of rest for this role will be within the confines of the terms of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. The uncertain nature of the working hours will be recognised by the holiday arrangements afforded. Responsibilities To stand deck watches 1 in 2 with the Commanding Officer (CO), when at sea. To support the CO and ensure the safety, discipline, morale, welfare and day-to-day employment of the ship’s crew and embarked personnel. Act as the ship’s Safety Officer, ensuring regular safety meetings take place and that safety issues and concerns are properly addressed. Implement and oversee all training on board. To supervise and be responsible for all activities on deck and aloft. Supervise the handling of spars and sails. To take charge of main mast operations when manoeuvring. To act as Line Manager and oversee the work of the Bosun, Cook, Coxswain and Watch Officers. To oversee and carry out general ship husbandry tasks. To ensure all upper deck and personal safety equipment is checked at regular intervals and the necessary recording logs are maintained. Brief and supervise contractors employed to work on board and accept contract work on behalf of the Offshore Office. Undertake other offshore training tasks as required by the Head of Offshore or Deputy Head of Offshore Training. Ensure cadets and staff operate in line with the MSSC’s safeguarding and other policies. Requirements Yacht Master (Offshore) Commercially Endorsed with Square Rig Experience. Good management and leadership skills and ability to direct staff and cadets with clarity and in a positive manner. Ability to instruct and education youth trainees in sailing techniques and general ship’s living routines. Ability to plan and execute defined sail training programme liaising with other vessel Skipper to agree safe passages. Must be a team player who can work closely in a small team. Possession of an ENG 1 or ML5 medical certificate, or an ability and willingness to obtain. Desirable RYA Cruising Instructor / Yachtmaster Ocean. Knowledge of Sea Cadet training procedures. Experience of using a Safety Management System to maintain all safety and routine maintenance systems. For further details please download our Recruitment Pack. Benefits 104 days annual leave per annum, 84 days during the sailing season and 20 working days during the winter refit period. Life assurance (4x salary) for those that join the charity’s pension scheme. Private medical insurance. Pension (employer contribution up to 10%). Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling. Employee development: We are investing in our employees’ development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential. National staff conference: All employees come together once a year to reflect on the past year and celebrate success at our offsite staff conference. This is a great opportunity to listen to employees’ views, and for employees to network, share information and socialise. If you are interested in this Sailing Master vacancy, please apply now! Additional Information MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer. We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo a criminal record check.