Launch Your Maritime Career with Svitzer as an Officer of the Watch
Are you ready to accelerate your maritime career with a global industry leader?
Svitzer the world’s largest provider of towage and marine services is looking for a motivated and skilled Officer of the Watch to join our team in Milford Haven. With a fleet of 400+ vessels and a diverse workforce operating across the globe, Svitzer offers an exceptional environment to learn, grow, and build a long-term career.
Why Choose Svitzer?
A Global Leader with a Local Presence
Be part of a company trusted worldwide for safe, reliable, and innovative towage services—while contributing directly to operations in one of the UK’s most active ports.
A Work/Life Balance That Works for You
Our 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off rotation promotes rest, wellbeing, and stability. There is a requirement for crew to be captive onboard during your 2 week rotation.
Grow in a Modern, Innovative Environment
Work with advanced tools, modern vessels, and an experienced team committed to excellence and continuous improvement.
Our Values
At Svitzer, our values shape every decision, action, and interaction. They define who we are—at sea and ashore.
Constant Care – We act today with the future in mind. We think ahead and always prioritise safety, quality, and reliability in every operation.
Humbleness – We listen, learn, and respect the expertise of others. No matter our experience, we remain open-minded and ready to improve.
Our Employees – We believe our people are our strongest asset. We invest in your development, wellbeing, and long-term success.
Uprightness – We act with honesty and fairness. We take responsibility for our actions and always do what is right.
Our Name – We protect and uphold the proud Svitzer legacy by delivering excellence and maintaining the trust of our customers and communities.
Your Responsibilities
As an Officer of the Watch, you will play a central role in delivering safe, high-quality towage operations:
Ensure effective implementation of the Planned Maintenance System, ship husbandry, and all Health & Safety routines.
Act as Safety Officer in line with the Merchant Shipping (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997.
Support the Port Manager to ensure vessels are properly stored and bunkered.
Build strong working relationships with colleagues, pilots, port authorities, and customers.
Take ownership of the vessel and step into Master’s responsibilities when required.
Manage daily crew activities including rotas, Hours of Rest compliance, and onboard training.
Perform duties across deck and engine room operations as required.
Complete mandatory training to support your professional growth and development.
Career Progression
At Svitzer, we take pride in developing our people—because our employees are at the heart of our success. As an OOW, you will have access to:
Structured development pathways with clear steps towards becoming a Tug Master
Practical tug handling experience and operational exposure
Simulator training, mentoring, and coaching from experienced Masters
Your journey doesn’t stop at joining us—this is your first step toward becoming a Tug Master.
Candidate Requirements
STCW II/3 OOW Deck 500GT Near Coastal (Unlimited preferred)
Valid ENG1 and STCW certificates (minimum 6 months validity)
Harbour towage experience is preferred
Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle
Eligibility to live and work in the UK
If you are a dedicated maritime professional looking to join a dynamic team, apply now to become part of Svitzer’s operations.
Building a Diverse Workplace
In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.