The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is seeking candidates for second mate aboard the state of the art research vessel David Packard, currently under construction in Spain. Are you excited for the opportunity of commissioning our new vessel? As a bridge officer, you’ll be a key leader in getting the ship to operational status, bringing the ship out of the shipyard and transiting back to our home port in California.

MBARI works to create and globally scale the research and technology required to explore, map, and understand our changing ocean. Access to the ocean via research vessels is vital to accomplishing this mission. You’ll work with crew members, scientists, and technical staff to build and maintain a collaborative and inclusive environment to achieve mission goals.

The second mate will collaborate with other crew to develop procedures, maintenance routines, and safety strategies in areas of their responsibility on the new vessel. MBARI encourages autonomy in problem solving and wants employees to be creative about finding solutions to problems.

After delivery the ship will be tasked with supporting 5-10 day multi-disciplinary science missions (longer trips are possible). In an average year the vessel supports about 18-20 science missions per year.

Operations consist primarily in supporting remote and autonomous vehicles including a 4000m work class ROV, AUVs, and wave gliders. Moorings, CTDs, and other science sampling operations are common.

The David Packard is a Coast Guard inspected subchapter U vessel, DNV Classed 1A, STCW, SOLAS, and ISM regulated vessel.

The ship is equipped with a variable speed DC grid diesel electric propulsion system and azimuthing thrusters. Daily use of advanced systems, dynamic positioning, automation and sophisticated handling equipment will be required.

Shipboard living conditions: Two-person cabins that meet MLC standards. Personnel have wireless access to satellite internet with bandwidth restrictions (no streaming, some sites blocked). The ship offers a small gym and good coffee. The usual underway schedule is 12 hours/day (4 on 8 off with 4 hours OT), in port schedule is typically 8-hour days.

Primary responsibilities:

• Officer of the watch, leads deck evolutions for scientific equipment deployment and recovery
• Develops, implements and improves shipboard procedures
• Coordinates and performs mobilization and demobilization before and after science cruises. Crane operations, loading/unloading of stores and scientific equipment
• Completes and supervises maintenance and safety inspections
• Responsible for keeping charts and integrated bridge system ready to sail
• Mentors personnel on seamanship and operations, cultivates a positive work atmosphere and collaboration between scientists and crew

Required qualifications:

• Can fill Mate/OICNW Officer billet on the COI, requires a minimum of a US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with OICNW II/1
• TWIC
• GMDSS Operator IV/2
• Vessel Personnel With Designated Security Duties VI/6
• Intermediate digital literacy
• Valid passport
• Covid-19 vaccination
• Ability to work up to 30 days continuously on expedition voyages

Desired qualifications:

• Previous success as watch standing officer on research vessels
• STCW II/2 >500 GT
• Advanced digital literacy, experience with implementing preventative maintenance software (NS5, Helm Connect, etc.)
• Experience with diesel electric and azimuth propulsion
• Experience with dynamic positioning