River Pilot

About the role

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Nav Mate Pilots to lead our U.S.‑flag fleet. American Cruise Lines cruises along inland and coastal waterways, including the East Coast, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers. American Cruise Lines modern vessels accommodate 100 to 200 guests designed for safe navigation and exceptional service. Nav Mates are senior shipboard watch officers responsible for safe vessel operations, adherence to company and regulatory standards, and representing the company as a professional leader. American Cruise Lines Nav Mates are experienced mariners with firsthand piloting experience in challenging coastal and river waterways. Our Nav Mates are prudent decision‑makers continually assessing potential risk weeks, days, and hours ahead of the vessel and crew. Our Nav Mates are meticulous professionals, in service to our guests and as examples to our crews. Nav Mates enjoy comfortable onboard accommodations and chef‑prepared meals. American Cruise Lines operates our own bridge simulator, enabling rigorous recurrent training and development focused on critical decision‑making and advanced piloting skills. American Cruise Lines recruits and retains the best professional mariners in the industry. At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values—Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of passengers, crew, and vessel.
• Operate the vessel in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Execute prudent maneuvering, docking, locking, and anchoring.
• Conduct daily inspections of all vessel spaces.
• Maintain logs, reports, and administrative records.
• Support hotel and culinary teams in delivering five‑star guest service.

Qualifications

• U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license: minimum 100 GRT with Near Coastal endorsement; 1,600 GRT or greater preferred.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Experience on coastal and river waterways: minimum 2 years, desired 5 years with Z‑drive experience.
• Excellent communication skills and team‑building skills.
• Pre‑employment drug test and continual participation in random testing.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
• Ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment subject to constant motion (surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, yaw).
• Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
• Ability to assist in the event of an on‑board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20‑inch diameter hatch.
• Ability to stand for the entire shift.
• Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
• Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use stairs frequently.

Schedule

Typical March through November