Marine Dockmaster

Class Concept

Positions perform technical work in docking, rigging, hauling, transferring, and undocking vessels at the marine maintenance facility of the Ferry Division. Position plans and oversees the dry-docking of vessels using a ship Synchro lift. Work includes reviewing the docking plans for technical adequacy, checking the hull contours and structural members of a vessel to determine and ensure the proper placement of lifting blocks, and being completely responsible for a vessel during the entire operation. Position maintains the shiplift, transfer carriages, vessel cradles and operates a crane, forklift, loader, and other heavy equipment. Work often requires supervision of skilled riggers who handle, remove, install and align heavy shipboard equipment.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of the structure of vessels, stress points, load factors, cradle positioning, and blocking of vessels.
• Considerable knowledge of vessel stability calculations and docking plan development.
• Considerable knowledge of rigging and aligning heavy equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of the safety requirements of rigging heavy equipment and of State OSHA regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of the Sychrolift's capabilities, and the associated mechanical, electrical, and structural systems.
• Basic knowledge of the shipbuilding trades and of shipyard maintenance requirements.
• Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of skilled employees. General skill in the operation of heavy equipment.

Minimum Education and Experience

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of experience in a ship repair facility with concentration on blocking, cradling and docking of vessels and the operation of vessel lifting equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.