Tug Master

Get to Know Us

With over 190 years of maritime experience, Svitzer is a global leader in towage and marine services. Across Australia and Papua New Guinea, our tug crews help keep ports safe, efficient, and moving. When you join Svitzer, you become part of a proud maritime tradition - and a team that works with purpose, discipline, and respect.

We’re looking for a Tug Master to join our team in Melbourne or Westernport on a Casual basis.

As the role may require stepping in at short notice, preference will be given to candidates who live within two hours of the port, or are willing to relocate at their own expense.

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

This role offers the chance to lead critical harbour towage operations in Melbourne or Westernport—locations known for their strategic importance and vibrant port activity. You’ll work alongside a professional, safety-driven crew in a collaborative environment that values trust, discipline, and respect.

Joining on a casual basis means you’ll enjoy the flexibility to balance your career with personal commitments, while gaining hands-on experience with advanced vessels and a variety of marine operations. Whether you're looking to deepen your leadership skills, contribute to essential port services, or step into a role where your expertise is truly valued, this is a rewarding time to join the Svitzer team.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Tug Master, you’ll take the lead onboard - guiding your crew and delivering safe, reliable towage every day. Reporting to the Port Manager, your responsibilities will include:

• Taking command of the tug and leading a capable, safety-focused crew
• Ensuring the vessel is operationally ready - from stores and crew attendance to daily checks
• Maintaining compliance with safety procedures and maritime regulations
• Supporting crew performance and development, and escalating issues when needed
• Assisting with vessel maintenance and keeping operational records accurate and up to date
• Leading safety onboard through inductions, drills, and ongoing training
• Sharing your knowledge and helping build capability across the team

What You’ll Bring

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring:

• A minimum Master <45m Near Coastal Certificate of Competency or equivalent
• A Long-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) or equivalent
• A valid AMSA Medical that matches your Certificate of Competency
• Current Provide First Aid and Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificates
• Experience operating tugs - this will help you step in with confidence
• A supportive leadership stye that builds trust and brings the crew together
• A strong focus on safety and following procedures to get the job done right
• The ability to stay calm, think clearly, and adapt when conditions change
• A willingness to embrace technology and support sustainable ways of working
• The right to live and work in Australia

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.