Tug Master - Maritime & Shipping

About the Role

This position is responsible for managing the daily operations of all port tugs, ensuring that all vessel activities comply with scheduled plans. Key duties include supervising health, safety, and environmental (HSE) tasks, maintaining vessel readiness, and promptly reporting any port incidents to the appropriate authorities.

About AD Ports Group Maritime Cluster

The Maritime & Shipping Cluster is led by Noatum Maritime, a globally connected entity operating across various countries. With a fleet exceeding 250 vessels and extensive experience, Noatum Maritime provides a comprehensive array of maritime services.

Key Responsibilities

• Assume full responsibility for the safety of both tug vessels and their crews at all times.
• Perform daily inspections of safety equipment, deck machinery, and firefighting systems to verify operational status.
• Provide reports on daily activities, mechanical issues, engine or generator failures, crew matters, and incidents to the Chief Tug Master.
• Assist pilots in the berthing and un-berthing of vessels at various port locations including Mina Zayed, Free Port, Musaffah, and KP.
• Support suction trailer dredgers in maintaining safe positioning during dredge material discharge operations.
• Manage tow rope handling, ensuring correct lengths are deployed or retrieved, and ropes are properly secured or wrapped at all times.
• Regularly examine tow ropes for damage such as chafing, oil stains, or burns, arranging immediate replacements when necessary, and consulting senior officials as needed.
• Inspect the tug's condition, allocate and supervise maintenance tasks to tug seamen, and communicate findings to the Chief Tug Master.
• Maintain the tug's cleanliness and general condition to prescribed standards consistently.
• Report any accidents or incidents involving the tug or assisted vessels immediately to the duty pilot, Port Control, and Chief Tug Master, followed by written documentation before leaving the port.
• Notify relevant authorities of any defects or failures in navigation aids, deck equipment, or machinery upon assumption of duty and throughout operations.
• Prepare and follow up on equipment and store requisitions for the tug, updating senior management on pending orders.
• Maintain attendance records for marine craft crews and report to the Chief Tug Master.
• Understand and operate all navigation aids, firefighting systems, and oil spill dispersal equipment on board.
• Operate all port tugs and related vessels including Navigation Buoys Tender, Antipollution Vessels, and speed boats as required.
• Ensure all deck items are properly secured and safety measures are undertaken to protect the crew and vessels especially during adverse weather.
• Initiate and implement training programs to minimize delays and boost performance and productivity of vessels and crew members.
• Be proficient in operating radar, echo sounders, and GPS systems.
• Have thorough knowledge of maritime navigation rules, lights, and collision avoidance procedures.
• Be familiar with International radio telephony practices, including communication protocols and distress signals.

Candidate Profile

• Secondary School education with a valid Tug Master certificate from an accredited Maritime Authority.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory; knowledge of Arabic is preferred.
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in major port operations including vessel berthing, un-berthing, and towing.
• Experience operating vessels equipped with ASD and Voith Schneider Propulsion systems.

Skills Required

• Expertise in handling tug and tender vessels including ship husbandry and maintenance.
• Sound understanding of tug and tender vessel construction, stability principles, and crew management.
• Competence in visual and instrument-based navigation.
• Professional use of radar, GPS, and echo sounders especially under restricted visibility conditions.