Deckhand - Chicago

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation, with a 100-year history spanning water- and land-based experiences, ferry and transportation services, vessel maintenance, and reservation systems. Operating in over 10 countries and 50 U.S. cities, Hornblower serves more than 20 million guests annually through brands like City Cruises, Walks, Devour, NYC Ferry, and Puerto Rico Ferry. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, with additional offices across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland.

About the role

The Deckhand is responsible for maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of the vessel, ensuring guest comfort and safety while underway, and assisting with docking and undocking.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional hospitality to guests and coworkers as prescribed in the RESPECT service system
• Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers and vessel
• Participate in routine safety drills to prepare for major incidents
• Handle lines to moor vessels to pier
• Stand watch in ships' bows, sterns, or bridge wings to look for obstructions or locate navigational aids such as buoys and lighthouses
• Assist Captain and supervisory personnel in maintaining vessel equipment and systems such as HVAC, engine, and technical equipment
• Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas
• Sweep, mop, and wash down decks and exterior to remove dirt and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses
• Load or unload materials from vessels; gather and remove trash from vessel
• Service, clean, and supply restrooms
• Be prepared to begin work at scheduled time
• Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards
• Perform additional job duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work onboard a moving vessel in varying weather and sea conditions, including maintaining balance and stability while underway
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, frequently throughout a shift
• Ability to navigate stairs, ladders, narrow passageways, and confined spaces commonly found onboard vessels
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull supplies, equipment, and inventory weighing up to 40 pounds independently
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and perform repetitive motions as required in food service and hospitality operations
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively during normal operations, guest service situations, and emergency procedures
• Ability to safely work in a fast-paced environment with exposure to moving equipment, wet surfaces, temperature variations, and moderate noise levels
• Ability to visually inspect service areas, food presentation, cleanliness standards, and safety conditions
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests, crew members, and management in person and via radio or other communication devices
• Successfully complete vessel-specific safety and emergency training
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as operational needs require

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily onboard a Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel, with duties split between dining, service, storage, galley-adjacent, and administrative areas
• Requires regular movement throughout multiple decks and may involve occasional exposure to outdoor marine environments, including heat, humidity, rain, wind, and sunlight
• Must be able to safely perform duties while the vessel is docked or underway

Requirements

• Ability to reliably commute to and from the dock for scheduled shifts
• Pre-employment and ongoing random drug testing required for all marine personnel
• High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) preferred
• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
• Ability to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information to guests and coworkers
• Service orientation – actively looking for ways to help others
• Energetic and enthusiastic personality
• Ability to work for extended periods without sitting
• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds
• Ability to throw mooring lines from ship to pier
• Normal color vision to accurately interpret navigational lights and color-sensitive system and safety displays
• May be required to apply for a Transportation Workers ID Card
• Must be available for work on all major holidays