Captain – Marine Operations

Job Description

Job Description
Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.

As a Captain with City Cruises UK, you’ll take pride in safely operating our iconic passenger vessels on the River Thames while delivering exceptional experiences to thousands of guests each year.

This is a highly visible, customer-facing role combining professional vessel command with leadership, teamwork and hospitality. You’ll work with a supportive crew, operate within a strong safety-first culture, and be trusted to represent one of the UK’s most established maritime brands.

Apply for this role

Why Join City Cruises?

• Competitive salary of £43,711. Progression to the next grade and salary increase to £52,108 within 3 – 6 months, dependent on a successful training period.
• A unique working environment on one of the world’s most famous rivers
• Great work/life balance on a rotational 3 days on, 2 days off shift pattern. Earliest start time is 08:15, and latest finish time is 19:05 (winter season) and 20:30 (summer season)
• Ongoing training and CPD, fully funded support to maintain and expand your qualifications
• Clear career progression opportunities within a global organisation
• A strong, inclusive team culture
• Free and discounted experiences across City Cruises and Hornblower Group brands
• Exposure to a wide range of operations, from sightseeing cruises to dining experiences and private charters

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain the highest standards of safety for passengers and crew
• Ensure compliance with SMS, Passage Plan, PLA by-laws and maritime regulations
• Conduct safety briefings, announcements and onboard training

Vessel Operations

• Navigate and manoeuvre vessels safely on the River Thames
• Oversee mooring, embarking and disembarking procedures
• Complete daily vessel checks, logs and maintenance reporting

Leadership & Customer Experience

• Lead and support onboard crew, setting a professional example
• Deliver a welcoming, informative and enjoyable experience for passengers
• Act as an ambassador for City Cruises’ RESPECT values and brand

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Boat Master’s Licence (BML) Tier 1 Level 2
• Local Knowledge Endorsement (LKE)
• STCW95 certification
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience as Captain on passenger vessels

Desirable

• Large Passenger Vessel (LPV) endorsement
• (Applicants without an LPV will still be considered. Where necessary, City Cruises will support successful candidates in obtaining this endorsement)
• Experience in hospitality or tourism-led marine operations
• Strong working knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and DSM or ISM principles
• Thames guiding or commentary experience

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”.

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.