CUTTER CAPTAIN

Role Overview

Cutter Captain for Self-Propelled Cutter Suction Dredger at NMDC Group. The role commands a Self-Propelled Cutter Suction Dredger (SPCSD), ensuring safe, efficient and compliant marine operations across dredging, transit and maneuvering activities.

Role Purpose

To exercise full command and navigational authority over a Self-Propelled Cutter Suction Dredger, ensuring safe integration of marine operations, dredging systems and project requirements while maintaining compliance with maritime regulations, company policy and industry standards.

Key Responsibilities

Command and Navigation

• Lead safe, efficient and compliant command and navigation of the SPCSD during dredging, sailing, maneuvering, berthing and unberthing operations.
• Ensure overall command of the vessel in accordance with company policies, Flag State requirements, Class rules, ISM Code, COLREGs and applicable local and international maritime regulations.
• Take direct command during critical maneuvers, restricted visibility, adverse weather, heavy traffic, close-quarter situations and complex dredging-area movements.
• Maintain effective bridge watchkeeping, navigational safety and passage planning, including electronic navigation, chart management, position monitoring and route assessment.
• Supervise the vessel's self-propulsion, steering, thruster and anchoring operations, ensuring that maneuvering capabilities are fully understood and safely utilized.

Vessel Operations and Safety

• Plan and execute vessel movements, dredging transits and operational activities in coordination with the Dredging Superintendent, Project Management and Marine Operations teams.
• Coordinate closely with the Dredge Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer and dredging and technical teams to ensure safe integration of marine, propulsion and dredging systems.
• Ensure safe positioning and movement of the SPCSD during cutter-head deployment, dredging, swing operations, spud and anchor handling and relocation between dredging areas.
• Monitor vessel stability, trim, draught, freeboard and loading conditions throughout dredging and transit operations, taking corrective action where required.
• Ensure compliance with project-specific dredging plans, exclusion zones, underwater obstructions, pipelines, cables, structures, navigation channels and other site constraints.
• Maintain close coordination with the Chief Engineer regarding propulsion, power generation, steering, thrusters and other systems critical to safe navigation.

Traffic and Environmental Coordination

• Maintain continuous situational awareness of surrounding traffic and coordinate with VTS, port authorities, pilots, tugs, support vessels and other project craft as required.
• Review weather, tide, current, sea-state and operational forecasts and determine safe operating limits for dredging, navigation and vessel relocation.

Safety Management and Emergency Response

• Lead emergency preparedness and response onboard, including fire, flooding, collision, grounding, man-overboard, loss of propulsion and steering and abandon-ship situations.
• Ensure effective implementation of the vessel's Safety Management System, Permit-to-Work procedures, toolbox meetings, risk assessments and Stop Work Authority.
• Conduct regular inspections of navigation equipment, lifesaving appliances, firefighting equipment, communication systems and other critical marine safety equipment.

Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure accurate maintenance of deck, bridge, navigation, safety and statutory records, logbooks, checklists, permits and operational reports.
• Liaise with Flag State, Class, Port State Control, Marine Warranty Surveyors, project representatives and other authorities during inspections, audits and certification activities.

Crew Management and Development

• Supervise and mentor deck officers, marine crew and junior personnel, promoting strong safety culture, discipline, teamwork and professional standards onboard.
• Monitor crew competence, certification, familiarization and training requirements and ensure adequate manning and watchkeeping arrangements for all operations.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in incident, near-miss and non-conformity investigations, identify root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.

Systems and Communication

• Demonstrate strong knowledge of modern integrated bridge systems, DP and positioning or assisted-positioning systems where fitted, ECDIS, radar and ARPA, AIS, GMDSS and vessel automation systems.
• Ensure effective communication between bridge, engine room, dredging control room, deck teams and shore management during all critical operations.

Project Execution

• Contribute to mobilization, commissioning, sea trials and operational readiness of the SPCSD, including verification of navigation, propulsion, communication and safety systems.
• Ensure operational decisions consistently prioritize personnel safety, environmental protection, vessel integrity and compliance while achieving project production and schedule requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Certified Master (unlimited) license as per STCW Convention.
• Minimum 10 years' experience on Cutter Suction Dredgers.
• Advanced and Basic STCW trainings.
• Medical certificate as per MLC.

Skills & Competencies

• Modern integrated bridge systems operation.
• DP and positioning or assisted-positioning systems.
• ECDIS, radar, ARPA and AIS systems.
• GMDSS and vessel automation systems.
• Electronic navigation and chart management.
• Dredging operations and SPCSD-specific knowledge.
• Emergency response and crisis management.
• Crew supervision and mentoring.
• Incident investigation and root-cause analysis.
• Weather and oceanographic forecasting assessment.