Crew Wanted: Mate/Crew for Chesapeake Bay Skipjack

[Kijit]

We are looking for a volunteer Chief Mate and/or Mate for the Chespeake Bay skipjack Claud W. Somers that is operated and maintained entirely by a volunteer crew, including the captain. If you are interested but do not have the experience for one of those positions, we always welcome new deckhands as well. The vessel operates out of Reedville, Virginia.

Claud W. Somers was built in 1911 and is on the National Register of Historic Places and registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark. It does not have an inboard engine. Mechanical propulsion when needed is provided by a yawl boat (push boat). It is owned and operated by the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum in Reedville, Virginia. The vessel is a USCG certified passenger vessel and conducts museum outreach by attending various waterfront events, and between June 1 and October 31, conducts public sails, private charters, and educational sails.


Deckhand
No experience required, just an interest in sailing and especially traditional sailing vessels. We'll teach you what you need to know. Deckhands who want to crew the vessel on passenger sails are subject to pre-employment and ongoing random drug testing and will be expected to become CPR and First Aid certified. Drug testing and CPR/First Aid are not required to join the crew and participate in maintenance and crew training sails. There is no requirement to participate in passenger sails to be part of the crew.

Chief Mate
This is a volunteer position. The chief mate will assist the captain with all aspects of operation and maintenance of the vessel. Acts as second in command and manages the deck crew during sailing operations. Participates in vessel workdays, manages maintenance items assigned by captain and supervises skilled and unskilled volunteer workers during maintenance operations. Conducts or assists in crew training. The chief mate may act as relief captain for public sails and charters when the captain is unavailable. Expected time commitment is one to two days per week to coincide with vessel sailing and maintenance schedule.

Requirements
USCG Masters License, minimum of inland route, 25 ton, with auxiliary sail endorsement
FCC Marine Radio Operator Permit or higher-grade license
CPR and First Aid certification
Significant experience on sailing vessels, including systems and maintenance knowledge
Subject to pre-employment drug test and ongoing random testing
Physical agility and strength to perform duties (hoist large sails without winches, get on and off yawl boat, etc.)
Ability to interact positively with crew and passengers

Desired
Experience sailing on Chesapeake Bay skipjacks or other traditionally rigged sailing vessels.
Experience with wooden vessels
Experience as captain or mate on inspected passenger vessels.

Mate
Same duties and requirements as Chief Mate, except that no USCG or FCC license is required, and as a result, the mate may not act as relief captain.

Please contact me on here if you have any questions or are interested.