Overview
Salary Depending on Experience and Certificates
Chief Officer – Saga Cruises
Salary £DOE
2 months on/off
Shipboard / Offshore
V.Ships is recruiting for an experienced CHIEF OFFICER, ready to join SAGA cruises the end of November 2025.
Applicants must have the following experience and all of the valid Certificates (Master unlimited)
LICENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Required – Chief Mate Unlimited
• Desired – Master Mariner Unlimited
LINE MANAGER
• Staff Captain
DIRECT REPORTS
• 2nd Officers
• 3rd Officers
• Quartermasters
• Deck Cadets
Role Responsibility
• Auditing the presence and use of the keys issued to the Bridge
• Reviewing the entries made to deck or other log books by Deck Watchkeepers and providing them feedback or guidance on the quality thereof
• Instructing Deck Watchkeepers on additional entries that they may need to make during their watches either routinely or in extraordinary circumstances
• Meeting with all newly joined cadets in order to ascertain their level of experience, knowledge and what the focus for their training will be
• Drawing up a schedule for their working.
• Briefing members of the team with whom they will be working in order to ensure that all work will be carried out safely and in accordance with drawn up procedures
• Meeting with cadets regularly to measure their progress, sign appropriate TRB tasks, and keep them appraised of your expectations and how their progression is viewed
• Reviewing their work to provide feedback
• Preparing, prior to sailing on any voyage or if changes are made during the voyage, for the Master’s approval, course lines and a planned approach for each part of the voyage, from berth to berth, including a such an approach for departure, arrival and closing land giving at all times safe clearance from all dangers
• Providing sufficient information and annotations on the ENCs and in the voyage plan that navigating officers are briefed on the execution of the plan and that it is completed with full regard to safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment
• Preparing alternative plans should the former be frustrated
• Informing the Master of navigational progress during each voyage including speed and other relevant matters
• Laying down of course lines for future itineraries and thus preparing the cruise planner showing planned ETAs, ETDs, pilot times and all distances and required speeds
• Informing the Master and through them the company promptly of any unduly high speeds or impractical arrival times
• Ensuring that the navigational charts (ENCs) and publications required for future itineraries are available and sufficient
• Preparing or causing to be prepared any other information as may be required in order to conduct a full appraisal of upcoming voyages
• You are assisted in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
• You are assisted in this Responsibility by 3rd/4th Officer (Nav Support)
• Monitoring the operational condition of all navigation instruments
• Instigating any corrective or remedial activity required to maintain safety of the vessel
• Drawing the Master and Staff Captain’s attention to any deficiencies or defects that you cannot reasonably resolve on your own recognisance
• You are supported in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
• Ensuring that the navigational ENCs carried on board are the latest available, up to date and sufficient for the current and upcoming voyages
• Ensuring that the publications required for the itinerary, by the flag or port state or by the company, are carried on board and are the latest available
• You are supported in this Responsibility by 2nd Officer (Navigation)
• Setting a positive example to all Deck Watchkeepers on the professional execution of your duties as a Deck Watchkeeper
• Providing feedback and guidance to Deck Watchkeepers on the conduct of their watches
• Conducting touch drills with your own watch team and the others, including with
Quartermasters, in order that all watches are able to respond to emergency situations calmly, quickly and effectively Responsibility #26 ‘Communications’ by
• Ensuring that the assigned Deck Watchkeeper undertakes all required maintenance, tests and inspections of the vessel’s GMDSS equipment
• Briefing Deck Watchkeepers on the use of the equipment to ensure they are competent in both routine and emergency use
Additional Duties:
• Ensure that planned and unplanned maintenance assigned to their discipline is conducted and reported.
• Attend passenger social events as directed by the Head of Department.
• Partake in inspections, trainings and meetings as directed by the Head of Department.
• Ensure direct reports are line managed effectively in accordance with Saga and V.Ships appraisal policies
• Ensure accessibility to direct reports and support individual’s needs, sourcing advice and reporting matters of a personal nature confidentially to the Head of Department where necessary.
• Other shipboard tasks pertaining to departmental operations as directed by Head of Department.
• Attending trainings and office visits arranged by V.Ships where possible
The Ideal Candidate
You will have previously worked as the senior of the two watchkeepers (SOOW). You will be used to taking the charge at sea. You are fully compliant with the VS22 (BRM Directive), which you are familiar with and follow in letter and spirit.
Where your own Responsibilities are supported by another Deck Watch keeper, you retain overall accountability and should issue clear guidance and instruction on how the workload will be spread and what your expectations are.
You will complete object setting and appraisals for all your direct reports. You will give regular feedback to them on your expectations and your view of their performance, listening to their considerations, so that no item discussed in an appraisal comes as a surprise to them.
Package Description
All of the Marine and Onboard Technical roles are managed by V.Ships who have been a longstanding partner to Saga Cruises.
The rates of pay and packages are dependent of the crew ranking and certification.
Full packages and time at sea will be discussed in more detail once you apply.
About the Company
Over the past 70 years we have become the UK’s specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50 in the UK. The Saga brand has become one of the most recognised and trusted brands amongst UK consumers in this demographic, recognised for its high quality products and exceptional standards of service. These include cruises and holidays, insurance, personal finance and the Saga Magazine.
At Saga we are committed to treating all employees fairly and to offering equal opportunities in all aspects of employment and advancement. We value diversity not just because it is the right thing to do, but because diverse teams perform better.
Fair consideration is given to applications from all applicants, including those with disabilities and those over who are over 50 as we are champions of age inclusivity. We are an official Disability Confident Committed employer and ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible and we will make reasonable adjustments as required. For more information on our DEI policies please visit our Saga Careers page.
Saga does not accept agency CVs unless specifically engaged on the role by the Talent Acquisition Team. Please do not forward CVs to our recruiters, employees or any other company location. Saga will not be responsible for any fees related to CVs received in this unsolicited manner.
Job Reference: saga/TP/135599/3350
