Crewing

As part of the crew of the Sea Punk 1, members will live together for several weeks in a confined space with very limited retreat options. Days on the ship will be filled with training, drills, watches and routine work involving the entire crew. Before and after the deployment, the crew may carry out logistics and maintenance work, regardless of the deployment position.

Requirements:

• Identification with the goals and values of the Sea Punks
• Very good English language skills (working language on the ship)
• Ability to work independently and autonomously
• Ability to work under pressure and in stressful contexts
• Willingness to participate in the watch system and other routine activities
• Willingness to participate in guest care on board
• Willingness to carry out maintenance work throughout the ship
• Ability to work and live in a diverse team of 14 crew members
• Physical fitness and mental resilience
• Full immunization against Covid-19, mumps, measles, rubella and tetanus

Desirable:

• SAR experience
• Willingness to continue working in civilian sea rescue after the rotation 
• Complete immunization against hepatitis B
• Other language skills (French, Italian, Arabic, Farsi)

Interest?

The captain is responsible for navigation and all safety-related procedures on the ship. In close cooperation with the Head of Operation, the Captain plans and coordinates the SAR rotation, rescues and the disembarkation of survivors. In addition, the Captain trains the rest of the crew in the watch system and in the use of bridge equipment, ropes and radio communication. 

Tasks:

• Introducing the crew to the bridge and watch system
• ship’s administration (bunkering, crew-lists, customs clearance, detailed operational documentation, daily reports and statistics)
• handling the ship in port and SAR area
• training the crew in line handling and VHF communication  

Requirements:

• STCW II/2 Master Code Vessel less than 200GT or
• STCW II/2 Master Workboat less than 500GT
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers
• Ability to cooperate well within a team and work closely with the Head of Operations
• Ability to provide training and supervision to others
• Ability to delegate tasks
• Excellent communication skills 

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Italian
• SAR experience

What we offer:

• Seafarers’ employment agreement under German law

Interest?

The First Mate functions as the captain’s replacement in emergency situations and is responsible for the Deck Department. 

Tasks:

• keeping watch 8 hrs/day on the bridge 
• keeping the logbook up to date
• ensuring safe navigation and waking up captain as per standing orders 
• Update the Hours of Rest for each crew member
• Make the familiarization of each crew member or passenger 
• In charge of the monthly safety checks
• Update the nautical charts and publications
• Update the garbage book each week
• Update IMO crew list and passenger list
• In charge of the safety drills 
• In charge of the coordination of the deck works, also issuing work permits.
• Radio checks
• In charge of the cabin plan
• Creation of muster list with the captain 
• Make sure all people have PPE
• Passage planning

Requirements:

• STCW II/1 OOW or higher or STCW II/3 – OICNW
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers
• STCW Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1)

Interest?

The 2nd Officer is part of the bridge team, as well as from the RHIB crew. On the bridge the officer takes part in the safe navigation and documentation, while in the RHIB team he/she leads the team and ensures radio communication with the bridge.

Tasks:

As part of the bridge team

• keeping watch 8 hrs/day on the bridge
• keeping the logbook up to date
• ensuring safe navigation and waking up captain as per standing orders

As part of the RHIB Crew

• Leading the RHIB in rescue scenarios
• Communication via VHF from the RHIB to the bridge
• Ensuring that the RHIB is ready for operation at all time, and that the RHIB crew have the necessary gear and equipment to perform their tasks, keeping RHIB inventory up to date
• Leading RHIB trainings before operation 
• Leading crane operations

Requirements:

• STCW II/1 OOW or higher or STCW II/3 – OICNW
• STCW Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1)
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers

Desired:

• Survival Craft and Rescue Boat other than Fast Rescue Boat (STCW A-VI/2-1)

Interest?

The Head of Operation (HoOp) is responsible for coordinating the team on board and for communicating with the actors ashore (other NGOs, association). In close cooperation with the Captain, the HoOp leads the training and conducts meetings. 

Tasks: 

• building a team out of the new crew
• strategic decision making in the area of operation
• point of contact for the organization and other parties (NGOs, state parties, other vessels etc)
• support people in taking the responsibility for their position 
• overseeing the training, briefings and handovers during crew change 
• ensure daily briefings and debriefings when the vessel is in operative mode
• take decisions on the rescue procedure (after listening to your team, members of the Sea Punks association and the responsible authorities of the area) 
• reporting and documentation of the rescue operations, in close relation with the captain

Requirements:

• Good knowledge of the current SAR situation in the Mediterranean
• SAR experience
• Ability to prioritize, organize and delegate
• Experience in leading crews 
• Great communication skills
• Physical fitness and mental resilience

Desirable:

• Basic nautical knowledge
• Experience with humanitarian aid work
• Basic Safety Training (STCW A-VI/1)
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers
• VHF license (Short Range Certificate) and experience with radio communication

Interest?

In close cooperation with the project manager and the crew onshore, your main task is to guarantee the safe operation of the ship while in the shipyard as well as during rotations.

This includes error analysis as well as repairs and maintenance according to the maintenance plan in cooperation with the volunteers.

Tasks:

• Leading the engine team
• Ensuring the safe operation of the ship during port time and rotation
• Error analysis and repairs 
• maintenance according to the maintenance plan
• Ensuring documentation in the engine room

Requirements:

• STCW III/5 or higher
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers
• ability to work independently
• ability to work with volunteers with different qualifications and backgrounds
• experience working with non-automated ship’s motors
• experience in maintaining/repairing hydraulic systems (bow thrusters, windlass, crane)

Desirable:

• SAR Experience

What we offer:

• Seafarers’ employment agreement under German law
• 2 months on/off rotation
• Salary: 3340€ (employee gross)

Interest?

The 2nd and 3rd Mechanists form part of the engine team and therefore oversee the safe operation of the main engine, compressors and pumps. They go watches in the engine room and assist the 1st Mechanist in repairs and maintenance. Depending on the crew composition they also participate in mooring, line handling or crane operations.

Tasks: 

• Participation in engine watch schedule
• Participation in repair and maintenance work

Requirements:

• Training in mechanics and engines

Desirable: 

• Experience with mooring ships and line handling
• Experience in craning operations
• Basic Safety Training (STCW A-VI/1)
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers

Interest?

With our friends from MVI (Medical Volunteers International e.V., Hamburg) we are running the medical department of the Sea Punk 1 together. During the rotation the medical team consists of two persons, one paramedic and one physician. The crewing for the rotation is done by MVI, but you can get all information about the medical department and their desired profile here. 

You will look after the health of the crew and guests on board. For this you have a well equipped container, with up to two treatment places. Nevertheless, many situations will require improvisation skills. When guests are on board, you will be responsible for triaging patients, treating emergencies and giving general advice on hygiene. If you are experienced for the RHIB you can be part of the RHIB team to assess the medical needs of the rescued. In order to allow adequate treatment of particularly vulnerable patient groups (e.g.: pregnant women, minors, sexual-based violence victims, etc.), one of the medical staff must be female. When there are no medical duties, you participate in the general operation of the ship, such as the watch system.

Tasks: 

• training of the crew in first aid, basic life support, hygiene and if necessary in advanced life support for the RHIB crew 
• inventory of the medication and equipment on board
• write short medical reports for handovers to other vessel or authorities
• general consultation of guests for their health
• perform Medevac if necessary (together with other crew members)
• transfer patients to other vessels (e.g. merchant vessels) if necessary
• physician: medical responsibility; paramedic: organizational responsibility 

Requirements:

• Physicians need at least two years of professional experience, or professional experience through training prior to licensure
• C1 level in English
• Willingness to participate in the watch system and night shifts
• Willingness to carry out maintenance work on the vessel
• High physical and mental resilience

Desired Skills: 

• Experience with complicated medical emergencies (mass casualty incidents) and/or medical qualifications regarding relevant emergencies on board, for example experience with children and pregnant women, as well as obstetric emergencies
• Work experience in to low-resource settings
• Emergency medical training
• Management or leadership experience
• Knowledge of French
• Knowledge of Italian
• Knowledge of Arabic
• Experience on rescue boats
• Experience with radiotelephony procedures
• Security Awareness Certificate of Competency (STCW A-VI/6; can be acquired at short notice through an online course)
• STCW Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1)
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers

Interest?

The Care Coordinator is responsible for the smooth running of life on board. This includes, for example, drawing up inventories and cleaning schedules. The Care Coordinator also serves as a focal point for conflicts on board, which they pass on to the Sea Punks association. In the event of an embarkation of rescued persons on board, the tasks include the distribution of meals and commodities as well as the organization of the remaining times of the day. In close cooperation with the cultural mediator, the Head of Operation and the galley person, daily routines are developed and implemented, with logistics playing a particularly important role. 

Tasks:

• Logistics of the supply and daily organization of the guests on board
• Development of structures and routines for the crew and rescued persons from arrival on board to disembarkation at the Port of safety
• Contact point for the crew
• Cooperation with the deck team, Cultural mediator, the bridge, Head of operation, galley

Requirements:

• Good language skills (English very good, possibly French / Arabic)
• Experience on board of sea rescue vessels (highly desirable!) and / or working with refugees on land
• Experience in leading teams and task distribution (organize / prioritize / delegate)
• Organizational & coordination skills
• Eye for group dynamics and conflict management

Desirable: 

• Experience in the context of social work or psychosocial support, crowd management & non-violent communication
• STCW Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1)
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers

Interest?

Cultural mediators are crucial for the communication between the guests and the crew of our ship. As part of the RHIB-team, they establish and maintain contact and trust with the people in the boat in distress. They reduce linguistic and cultural barriers and improve access to medical care (including psychological care) and other available services.

Tasks:

• First contact with people in distress from the RHIB
• Supporting the Care Coordinator on deck
• Point of contact for the guests and responsibility for their well-being
• Proactively identifying protection concerns and following up on individual cases
• Conflict management 
• Translation between survivors and crew/medical team
• Referral of medical cases to the medical team

Requirements:

• Very good language skills in English, French, Arabic, (desirable: Italian)
• Very good social and communication skills, ability to establish contact with people quickly
• Knowledge for group dynamics and conflict management
• Interest in interacting with people from a variety of backgrounds &  cultures 
• Willingness to complete rescue operations as a part of the RHIB team
• Ability to know and communicate your own limits
• Comfort working under stress and in mentally and physically stressful situations

Desirable:

• STCW Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1)
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers
• Experience on the RHIB
• Experience in the field of protection work/humanitarian aid or other work with vulnerable people
• Applicants with personal experience of migration are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet all of the application requirements

Interest?

The person is responsible for preparing meals for the crew as well as the guests on board. In addition to cooking, the warehousing, logistics and supplying play a major role in this position. During and after rescues, additional tasks are added, such as distributing meals and participating in the watch system.

Tasks:

• Preparing three meals per day for crew and guests
• Planning and carrying out purchases based on existing lists

Requirements:

• Experience  in cooking for larger groups, vegan/vegetarian
• Hygiene certificate

Desirable:

• Knowledge of French
• Knowledge of Arabic
• Knowledge of Italian
• Basic Safety Training (STCW A-VI/1)
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers

Interest?

The FMC’s responsibilities include documenting our (rescue) operations on the ship. The material provided by the FMC is used by the Sea Punks for public relations and published in our social media channels and press releases. The FMC takes care of the technical equipment on board, for example the GoPro cameras of the RHIB team. The photos and videos generated by the FMC are made available to the public relations team via cloud and published in close consultation and exchange. Onboard the ship and on the RHIB, the FMC will film and photograph during rescue operatipns, among other duties. In addition, as FMC, one is responsible for timely communication with the team ashore about current operations and their development. This includes ensuring facts and figures of the rotations are recorded in an electronic logbook. These documents should be usable as proof of facts for personal and legal issues.

Requirements

• Own equipment available
• Very good technical skills in the use of digital photo and film cameras, experience in the use of common software e.g. Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro is also desirable
• Journalistic and/or other reporting experience
• Experience using social media channels and other formats
• Ability to work in a team and take responsibility for your own work
• Experience with and awareness of the high ethical requirements of photojournalism, especially in a humanitarian context and in crisis situations.
• Creativity, a good eye for the situation and the ability to react to unexpected circumstances
• Sensitivity for imagery that does not serve white saviourism and never disregards people’s dignity and self-determination
• Experience with editing and publishing journalistic material
• Experience in working with challenging situations and contact with human suffering
• The ability to process information efficiently and reliably
• The ability to check facts accurately, as well as to work under time pressure

Desirable:

• Italian language skills
• Arabic language skills
• Spanish language skills
• French language skills 
• Basic Safety Training (STCW A-VI/1)
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers

Interest?

The RHIB Driver is responsible for the safe operation of the RHIB during rescue scenarios, transfers and drills, and keeps the RHIB maintained and ready to operate. They are responsible for the safety of the RHIB Team, as well as keeping up with the basic, regular maintenance of the RHIB (wash the salty water off, oil checks, fail reports).

Tasks:

• Driving the RHIB during rescue operations
• Regular maintenance of the RHIB
• Ensure documentation on RHIB deployments, maintenance
• Briefing and debriefing with RHIB Mechanic and Operational Department

Requirements

• Certificate of Competence: SBF See, RYA Powerboat Level 2 or any equivalent license
• Experience with driving RHIBs in different and adverse weather conditions, ideally at night, in SAR contexts or under stress-scenarios
• Excellent slow handling skills 
• Experience in team-working under stress or in emergency settings
• Basic knowledge of RHIB and engine maintenance, troubleshooting

Desirable:

• STCW II/4 Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch
• Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers
• Survival Craft and Rescue Boat other than Fast Rescue Boat (STCW A-VI/2-1)
• VHF license (Short Range Certificate) and experience with radio communication

Interest?

We receive a lot of applications from people with various backgrounds. Unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to get in touch with each person signing up in our crewing form. Therefore, we will most likely only hear back from us when there is a specific need for the profile you signed up for.

Yes for sure! For many positions we have much more applicants than space on the ship. Maybe the data you filled in the form is not up to date any more. In both cases, we would like to hear back from you, so we can consider you for a deployment in the future.

The rescue operations of the Sea Punk 1 are planned for a duration of 5 weeks each. A deployment to support us in the shipyard lasts in the best case between 2 and 4 weeks.