Shipboard Crew Employment
Applications for programs on both the Corwith Cramer and the Robert C. Seamans are accepted on a rolling basis, and we accept inquiries at any time. Please email crewemployment@sea.edu.
See below for brief position descriptions and crew employment overview.
Since SEA sails upon oceans internationally, mates must have the following USCG credentials at minimum:
- Chief Mate: 500T Ocean Mate with OICNW
- Second Mate: 500T Ocean Mate with OICNW
- Third Mate: AB with RFPNW
The exception to this is Cramer summer programming, which generally sails near-coastal voyages in Buzzard’s Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Summer Cramer chief and second mates may hold a national 200T NC Mate and third mates may hold a national AB.
Ideal candidates for SEA’s ate positions have strong sailing skills and experience teaching at the college and high school level. SEA sails with a Chief mate, 2nd mate, and 3rd mate at all times. Mates monitor all deck operations during watch to make sure they are carried out in a safe and orderly way, and report to the captain. Working closely with assistant scientists, mates are watch leaders and mentor and teach the students on their watch. Auxiliary duties in bosunry and nav-com-safety will be assigned to the 2nd and 3rd mate. Priority is often given to those candidates who are able to commit to working 2-3 cruises per year, though we do also offer short term agreements as well. Positions are ideally filled 6-12 months in advance of the agreement period, but openings often occur on short notice.
For applications to be considered, they must include the following:
- One-page cover letter detailing the applicant’s interest, qualifications, and availability
- Resume, noting your USCG Mariner Credential reference number
- Contact information, email address and phone number, for 3 references (applicants will be notified before references are contacted)
SEA hires both stewards and assistant stewards; a candidate will likely be expected to complete a trip as assistant steward before becoming chief steward. Steward candidates should have a demonstrated ability to provide varied and nutritional meals for a large group of people. Individual diets may include, but are not limited to, omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, or some combination. Ideally, the steward will have some prior teaching experience, as they will be expected to teach students in galley and trash management operations. All stewards must have completed or be willing to complete ServSafe certification in both Food Handling and Allergens. Stewards must be able to lift and bear weight, and to be able to work for extended periods in a small space below decks (the ship’s galley).
For applications to be considered, they must include the following:
- One-page cover letter detailing the applicant’s interest, qualifications, and availability
- Resume
- Contact information, email address and phone number, for 3 references (applicants will be notified before references are contacted)
Ideal candidates for SEA’s Marine Technician (formerly titled Assistant Scientist) positions have experience teaching at the college level, experience working with oceanographic equipment on research vessels, strong sailing skills, and a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in marine science or a related field. Priority is often given to those candidates who are able to participate in up to three cruises per year for a year or more, have sailed on tall ships, have experience in shipboard networking, programming, and maintaining oceanographic instruments, as well as analytical chemistry and reef survey experience. We try to fill positions at least 6-12 months in advance, but openings sometimes occur on short notice. Training as a Marine Technician is an excellent opportunity to learn the basic theory and sampling techniques of all the major disciplines in oceanography.
Marine Technicians are watch standers with the primary responsibility of conducting and teaching safe lab operations and deployments. Other duties include troubleshooting equipment, processing and analyzing data, mentoring students, interns, and each other, working closely with the Chief Scientist to accomplish science and learning objectives. Marine Technicians will also collaborate with Mates to safely operate the vessel, teach safe sail handling and basic navigation principles, lead maintenance and cleaning efforts, and be a supportive member of the shipboard community.
For applications to be considered, they must include the following:
- One-page cover letter detailing the applicant’s interest, qualifications, and availability
- Resume
- Contact information for 3 references (applicants will be notified before references are contacted)
SEA Engineers are responsible for the engineering management of both vessels as they perform short term and long term maintenance projects and ensure that all work on engineering systems is carried out in a safe way. They instruct students and professional crew on the location and use of safety equipment, both in the engine room and in other spaces on the ship. Both ships typically sail with both an Engineer and Assistant Engineer; the Engineer is responsible for the management and evaluation of the Assistant Engineer, who is there in a training role. Engineers also teach and involve students during their day in the engine room. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair a variety of diesel engines and plumbing, electrical, electronic, and refrigeration systems.
For applications to be considered, they must include the following:
- One-page cover letter detailing the applicant’s interest, qualifications, and availability
- Resume
- Contact information, email address and phone number, for 3 references (applicants will be notified before references are contacted)
SEA hires deckhands for high school programs and short programs in the summer on the Corwith Cramer, and on an as-needed basis for college-level semester trips (only when student enrollment is low enough to require additional watchstanders). This means that throughout the academic year we do not often know until a maximum of two months before a semester trip if we will need deckhands, and although deckhand applications are welcome at any time, you may not receive a response right away. Ideal deckhand applicants have prior tall ship and teaching experience. Some background in outdoor education and/or other types of boats is also helpful, as is an advanced medical training certification such as WFR or EMT. Deckhands are watchstanders and rotate through the same roles students do, spending time in the ships’ labs as well as on deck, and are expected to support and teach the students as they learn the ship and what it takes to be a contributing crew member.
For applications to be considered, they must include the following:
- One-page cover letter detailing the applicant’s interest, qualifications, and availability
- Resume
- Contact information, email address and phone number, for 3 references (applicants will be notified before references are contacted)
Working aboard SEA’s Sailing School Vessels requires our team to live in close quarters with coworkers and students. Each crew member has a bunk with a small area for their possessions, and marine heads (bathrooms) are communal. Meals are prepared by Stewards and students, and are served family style. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated, especially those medically necessary. Everyone on board is expected to participate in cleaning efforts. Connectivity on SEA vessels is limited, which means almost no internet access during semester programs.
While traveling to new places is one of the highlights of working for SEA, we also expect all crew to work in shipyard/maintenance periods in addition to sailing semester trips. We also expect that crew will participate in non-traditional programs shorter than semester trips that sometimes have missions and goals that diverge from the typical SEA Semester. These include leadership training for business groups, fundraising sails for voyagers and alumni, high school programs, and other educational programs. We work with a multitude of organizations on these shorter sails, and frequently have new programs.
Trips are grouped together to create letters of agreement that work for both the programmatic needs of the vessels and their crew. Crew typically start with a short term contract which is usually a 2-3 month period on board the vessels. After that, crew members can opt to work either a long term work agreement(with the approval of their Marine Department manager) or to continue with short term agreements. Crew members on a long term agreement work at least 180 days (not continuous) in a 12 month time period, making them eligible for SEA’s health, dental, and vision benefits.
We are fortunate that SEA attracts such skilled, enthusiastic, and dynamic crew members and we strive to retain them. Advancement and professional development opportunities exist for crew in all departments as they gain experience and skills.
Please Note: All crew must have the legal right to work in the U.S.
Meet Some of Our Crew
Ashley Look
Senior steward Ashley Look began working for SEA in 2011 and hails from Fort Lauderdale. In addition to working for SEA, Ashley has also worked on the arctic schooner Bowdoin. She holds an OS license from the USCG and flying fish are her favorite sea creatures. She loves to carve spoons and teach others about the craft both on and off the boats. At SEA, she loves the travel, the intentional community, and the amazing people she meets along the way.
Nate Bears
Senior Engineer Nate Bears hails from Maine and has been working for SEA since 2015. Nate possesses two USCG licenses, a 2nd engineer (unlimited) and a 100-ton inland masters. His favorite sea organism is the velella velella and he enjoys boats of all kinds. Some of Nate’s favorite memories at SEA are the hundreds of sunrises and sunsets he’s witnessed, as well as the many stars (human and celestial) that he has had the pleasure of knowing. He will take any opportunity he can to climb a tree.
Matt Bihrle
Assistant Scientist Matt is from Rice Lake, Wisconsin. His favorite sea organisms are diatoms and his favorite vessel is a dead tie. Matt was a member of class S-283. Since then, he has worked for SEA in many roles: as an RA, deckhand, head resident, program assistant and most recently, assistant scientist. He has also worked at a residential summer camp as a youth development program coordinator and as a tutor and classroom support with City Year Detroit. Matt holds AB-Sail and RFPNW credentials from the Coast Guard. When he’s not making fond memories with his fellow shipmates, Matt loves a good quarter deck jam session. Some of the things that he enjoys most about working for SEA are living in the ship’s tight-knit community and the constant emphasis on learning.
Mackenzie Meier
Assistant Scientist Mackenzie Meier sailed to the Phoenix Islands Protected Area as a member of class S-281 and currently studies bottlenose dolphins at the University of Bristol. Mackenzie has conducted research on the R/V Neil Armstrong and has also worked as a laboratory coordinator at Shoals Marine Laboratory. Mackenzie takes great pride in supporting the profound experiences that students have at SEA and watching them flourish just over the course of one program. She loves that SEA gives her the time to be present, form deep connections and appreciate not just the places we go, but the experiences we have there. She’s a self-proclaimed “sucker” for a good hyperiid amphipod.
Abby Werner
Midwesterner and engineer Abby Werner loves terrestrial rabbits as well as the sea bunny, Jorunna Parva (a species of dorid nudibranch). She holds AB, QMED (fireman), oiler and watertender licenses from the USCG. If you ask her about her favorite vessels, she’ll tell you about 19th century whaleback ships or regale you with the story of Stubby the freighter. Abby has worked on the USEPA R/V Lake Explorer II, the Kalmar Nyckel, Lynx and the Denis Sullivan. Before sailing, she worked in foundries and metalcasting. Abby is an artist of many trades, including glass blowing, painting, gardening and metalworking. Abby enjoys watching and facilitating students’ development as they learn about the boat and adjust to life at sea. One of her favorite memories at SEA is an especially starlit night in the middle of the pacific, 2,000 miles from land.
Ryan Loftus
Ryan Loftus has held almost every position at SEA, from deckhand to Captain. He holds USCG 200 ton Oceans Master, 500 tons Ocean’s mate and STCW Able Seaman Unlimited licenses. He lives in Albany, Oregon and his favorite sea organism is Glaucus atlanticus. Ryan has worked on many vessels, including Seaward, Quinnipiaq, RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer and R/V Rachel Carson. When he’s off the boat, Ryan likes to mountain bike, ski and play board games. His favorite memory from working for SEA is a 1000 mile crossing of the Atlantic. Ryan has been to 5 of the 7 continents (all except Africa and Asia).
