Captain (Large Passenger Vessel - Grade 3)
- Post Date:22nd October 2025
- Apply Before: 14th November 2025
- Views 2
Job Description
POSITION TITLE:
Captain (Large Passenger Vessel – Grade 3)
Reports to:
Operations Manager
Department/Location:
Operations/London
Hours & Salary:
42.5 hours per week – £50,056.50 Per year.
COMPANY SUMMARY
City Cruises UK is part of the City Experiences division of the Hornblower Group, a global leader in world-class experiences and transportation services. We operate public dining and sightseeing cruises as well as private charters for corporate events, birthday parties, weddings, or other special occasions across London and York.
POSITION SUMMARY
As a Captain, you will bring knowledge of vessel maintenance and interpersonal skills to our team. In return we are keen to support you in developing your career in the tourism industry and provide you the opportunity to be part of an active social culture and a great team! If this role sounds right for you, please get in touch!
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure vessels meet Company standards in terms of safety so our passengers remain safe and enjoy their experience on the River Thames.
- To comply with SMS regulations and ensure crew onboard follow and comply with these regulations and that all documentation is maintained and kept current.
- Provide when required, onboard safety training for all crew members.
- To navigate vessels on the River Thames safely in accordance with the Company’s passenger plan and PLA by-laws.
- Safe mooring of the vessels at all times with extreme caution when embarking and disembarking passengers in accordance with the Company’s SMS.
- To provide a vessel safety announcement after leaving each pier to comply with Company SMS.
- To conduct a safety crew briefing before commencing service to the public.
- To account for and safely embark and disembark passengers from one of our recognised locations along the River Thames.
- To carry out daily vessel log checks in conjunction with the SMS procedures with specific attention to all safety equipment and engines.
- To report any maintenance checks or incidents as per the Company’s SMS.
- Check the vessel’s fuel level and if necessary, fuel the vessel before entering it into service.
- To ensure the vessel has an adequate supply of fresh clear running water onboard for passengers prior to commencing service.
- Ensure the vessel is clean, tidy and well presented at all times to comply with the Company’s SMS and London Port Health regulations.
- To give our passengers the best customer experience whilst sightseeing with City Cruises’.
- To lead by example, being well presented and always groomed and dressed in Company uniform when representing City Cruises’ and serving to the public.
- To promote onboard sales and other Company products as directed.
- Be an Ambassador for our RESPECT Service System & Values.
- Additional duties as may reasonably be required.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
It is a requirement of this role that any successful applicant must be signed off on the following vessels within their probationary period: MV Westminster, Mayflower Garden, Jessica, Amy, Princess Rose, City Alpha, City Gamma, Millennium of London, Millennium Peace/Dawn/ City/ Time and City Delta. Able to act as mate across the entire fleet.
Educational Level/Qualifications
- SCTW95 Seaman Certificate.
- BML (Boat Master’s Licence) Tier 1 & 2.
- LKE (Local Knowledge Endorsement).
- RYA PB2 (Power Boat Level 2).
- Large Passenger Vessel endorsement (LPV).
Experience/Knowledge
Required:
- Experience operating as Captain of large passenger vessels for 3 years.
- Knowledge of vessel maintenance and vessel engineering.
- Able to provide a Thames commentary between Westminster and Greenwich.
Desirable:
- Full understanding of Health & Safety afloat and ashore and implementation of Safety Management System, preferably to ISM standard, would be an advantage.
- Experience working within the hospitality industry.
- To promote brand image of City Cruises’.
- Experience of River Thames commentary/guiding.
- Signed off on the entire City Cruises.
Personal Skills Required:
- Use excellent communication skills to perform great customer service.
- Willingness to learn and progress.
- To be able to write and speak English to the level required for the role.
- Act with and approach everything with integrity at all times.
- Deliver excellence through customer satisfaction and living our City Cruises values.
- Work with empathy.
- To always exhibit a professional attitude.
- Calm and able to work well under pressure.
- Excellent numeracy and literacy skills.
- Reliable.
- Due to the nature of the role, time keeping is very important and the suitable person will be required to attend work on a punctual basis.
- Highly organized.
- Able to work under direction and follow the chain of command.
- Able to work under direction.
- To be flexible in carrying out duties at any of the Company’s locations, offices or departments and fulfil other tasks that fall within your post as required.
- Company focused.
- Self-motivated.
- Problem solver with the ability to offer solutions.
OUR VALUES – RESPECT
All employees must commit to upholding our RESPECT values. They are as follows:
Respect
We will value, appreciate and respect each other. We will foster diversity and inclusivity.
Environment
We will Respect our planet. We will conserve, protect, and educate. We will practice environmental stewardship.
Safety #1
We will think and work safely. We will follow safety standards and instructions. We will create a safe and secure workplace.
Professionalism
We will conduct ourselves professionally. We will take responsibility for our actions. We #will own the problem until it is solved.
Exceed
We will continuously improve. We will exceed standards and expectations.
Communication
We will be open and honest. We will choose a respectful approach. We will share information with others effectively.
Teamwork
We will exist to serve others. We will anticipate the needs of others. We will have fun and practice “enthusiastic friendliness”.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN EMPLOYMENT
As an equal opportunities’ employer, we are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to create a diverse and inclusive environment. Candidates for employment or promotion will be assessed objectively against the requirements for the position.