Chief Officer

Role overview

Stena Line is hiring a Chief Officer for the Stena Nordica in Fishguard, Wales. This is a senior deck role with scope to build experience, take on wider responsibility, and support a healthy work-life balance.

About the role

In this position, you report to the Master and remain directly accountable for carrying out your duties in full. The work is varied and gives you regular opportunities to apply and strengthen problem-solving skills across operational situations.

Key duties

• Oversee the areas assigned to you by the Master.
• Carry out your duties within the vessel’s emergency organisation.
• Support onboard maintenance in line with the Planned Maintenance Program.
• Stay fully aligned with the vessel’s operating and navigational procedures.
• Identify risks to the vessel, crew, and environment, and put suitable controls in place.
• Escalate incidents, accidents, injuries, potential hazards, and equipment or machinery defects, especially anything affecting safety, to the Senior Master.
• Remain up to date with the relevant procedures and requirements in the SMS within the DOCMAP system.
• Take interest in responsibilities above your rank so you are prepared to step up and work confidently and practically when needed.

What you will experience

Stena Line connects people, places, and communities through reliable passenger and freight transport. The company plays an important part in helping businesses grow, supporting travel, and keeping regions connected.

Benefits

• Concessionary ferry travel across the Irish Sea.
• Reduced-rate rail travel within the UK and Europe.
• Company pension and life assurance.
• A roster of 24 weeks onboard per year and 28 weeks off per year, including 4 rostered weeks of annual leave.
• Recognition programme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Westfield Health Cash Healthcare plan, including access to an online GP, cashback on a range of health and dental treatments, and gym membership support.
• Ongoing training, coaching, and professional development in a supportive environment with opportunities to progress to Chief Engineer.

Who you are

The employer values character as much as technical ability. The right candidate is expected to be welcoming, caring, and reliable, with strong leadership and communication skills.

You should bring a positive attitude, active listening skills, and the ability to give constructive feedback. You will also be a collaborative team player who invests time in understanding colleagues and what drives them. Reliability, follow-through, and the ability to explain the reasons behind decisions are also important.

As a leader, you are expected to focus on your own development, support your team, and contribute to the wider business.

Certification requirements

Essential certification must be held at the time of application.

• STCW Elementary First Aid.
• STCW Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting.
• STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities.
• STCW Personal Survival Techniques.
• STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats.
• Master’s Unlimited COC.

Preferred certifications include Crowd Management Training and Passenger Safety Training.

Additional information

This is a permanent, full-time role in the Deck department, based on board Stena Nordica. Applications must be submitted in English through the company’s recruitment process. Email and postal applications are not accepted because of GDPR requirements. Recruitment or staffing agencies are asked not to contact the company regarding this vacancy.

About the employer

Stena Line is a major sustainable shipping company with an extensive European route network for passengers and freight. The organisation employs more than 5,900 people across Scandinavia, the UK, and the Baltics. Its purpose is to connect people, places, and societies, while supporting equality, diversity, inclusion, and a workplace free from harassment.