Commissioning Skipper

Commissioning Skipper

Our prestigious, manufacturing client within the Marine and Luxury Yacht industry, are currently seeking a Commissioning Skipper to join their team.

This is a full-time, permanent role, based in Ipswich.

With this role, a full driving licence is required, along with travel and working across other sites.

Must be flexible in approach to working hours. Early mornings, late evenings and weekend working are required on occasion, as dictated by tides, weather and deadlines.

Purpose of the role:

To undertake testing, commissioning and handover of our client's new yachts for the complete range.

Skippering and crewing yachts for local movements, sea trials, handover sails and offshore deliveries. Full responsibility for the safety of the yacht and crew always when acting as Skipper.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Manage the team on board during commissioning, including commissioning and production staff, third-party suppliers and sub-contractors.
• Oversee other vessels in commissioning, supporting other commissioning staff with planning work and resources, providing advice and advising with boat handling.
• Perform all sea trials competently and efficiently, ensuring that the objectives of each trial are met and that each yacht is fully tested by commissioning standards.
• Maintain complete and accurate records in the Commissioning Log.
• Skipper yachts in a variety of circumstances including local movements, sea trials, handover sails and offshore deliveries.
• Maintain the highest standards of safety, seamanship and boat handling.
• End-to-end responsibility including passage planning, provisioning, briefings, safety on board, record keeping, maintenance, cleaning, and handover at destination.
• Ensure that Yachts’ Safety Management Systems are followed at all times, including maintaining records and providing feedback for continuous improvement.
• Deliveries to or from boat shows/ private views may include assisting with set-up and breakdown of shows. This may include anti-social hours during the Christmas and New Year periods.
• Troubleshooting of sailing and technical systems. Resolving issues hands-on, as well as supporting specialist staff and sub-contractors.
• Oversee and assist with receiving, checking, dressing and stepping of mast, boom and rigging.
• Assist with the fitting of sails. Undertake basic rigging tasks, rig checks and maintenance.
• Act as crew for yachts with a different appointed Skipper, when required.
• Liaise with all stakeholders including high-net-worth Owners and their professional crew, as well as staff, contractors and suppliers.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness in all areas of maintenance, cleaning and valeting.
• Ensure that commissioning stores are kept clean, organised and well stocked, that accurate records of goods in and out are maintained and that equipment is stored safely and securely at all times.
• Feedback on faults and quality issues to the Commissioning Manager.
• Provide detailed technical and sailing familiarisation training to owners, skippers and crew.
• Provide support to owners and crew with initial delivery passage after handover, as required.
• Support at boat shows, regattas and events, as needed.
• Warranty work, when required, which may include overseas travel.
• Maintain good image with all client contact, advice, handover, warranty and after-sales, both during business and social activities.

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of engineering, electrical, technical and electronics systems on modern sailing yachts.

Skills

• Strong boat handling skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office software.
• Leaderships skills.

Experience

• Extensive sailing and skippering experience, including on yachts of ~24m.
• Experience of sailing in tidal waters and on long offshore passages.
• Crew management.

Qualifications

• Yachtmaster Offshore Sail with commercial endorsement
• STCW95 Basic Safety Training, courses taken or revalidated within last five years

For further details of this exciting opportunity please forward a copy of your CV today!

Todd Hayes Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. Due to the large number of applications we receive I’m afraid we are unable to respond to everyone individually however your details will remain on file should another suitable opportunity become available moving forward.

If we can take your application further we will of course be in touch.

Todd Hayes is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
Todd Hayes Ltd.