32518 - Assistant Harbour Master - Rye Harbour
| Posting date: | 09 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £34,320 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 January 2026 |
| Location: | Rye |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Environment Agency |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 32518 |
Summary
Do you have a passion for marine operations? Do you have experience working at sea? Can you assist the Harbour Master in delivering the safe, efficient and smooth operation of Rye Harbour?
Your role as Assistant Harbour Master at Rye Harbour will include supporting the Harbour Master and Deputy Harbour Master in the day to day running of the Harbour and Pilotage Service.
You will:
- Act as duty Harbour Master on rotational basis
- Lead on identifying, reviewing and reporting marine risks within the Harbour.
- Ensure that the facilities of the Harbour and Harbour estate are correctly maintained and safely available to Harbour users.
- Prepare and maintain a Port Waste Management plan.
- Prepare maintain and exercise the Harbour emergency and oil spill plans.
- Assist the Harbour Master to ensure compliance with the Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code.
- Ensure the safe berthing of yachts and fishing vessels using Harbour authority moorings.
Other duties include Harbour patrols, maintenance of navigation aids, and enforcement activities.
You will assist with controlling the public use of the Harbour slipways, fishing berth facilities such as davits and cranes and ensure adherence to Health and Safety regulations.
The role requires the successful candidate to be involved with the safe pilotage of commercial ships working around the tide day and night 365 days per year on a rostered basis. An ability to work flexibly, including unsocial hours around spring tides and working weekends is essential. You will be on call for emergency response when required, that can attract additional payments.
We want to create a diverse workplace where people are respected, valued, and listened to. We’re all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where jointly we all grow and learn together.
The team
The Harbour Masters Team, which sits within KSL Waterways Department in Local Operations, is a small team of experienced marine personnel that deliver the safe and efficient running of Rye Harbour. They deliver the pilotage service for commercial ships which use the Harbour to trade at Rye Wharf, welcome visiting yachts in the summer months and administer leisure and fishing berths year-round.
See candidate pack for more on working with us and our benefits.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
- Seagoing marine experience and experience in command of a commercial vessel.
- RYA advanced powerboat commercially endorsed or a higher-grade certificate of competency.
- Marine radio certificate
- ENG1 or ML5 certificate of medical fitness
- Full UK driving license
It would be helpful, but not essential, if you had:
RYA Day skipper theory, STCW small ships navigation and radar certificate, STCW Sea Survival, RYA First aid, STCW one day Firefighting, RYA professional practices and responsibilities, knowledge of the Ports & Marine Facilities Code.
The candidate pack and generic role profile should be read along with the advert to understand the key accountabilities and skills needed.
Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed.
As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.
Your role as Assistant Harbour Master at Rye Harbour will include supporting the Harbour Master and Deputy Harbour Master in the day to day running of the Harbour and Pilotage Service.
You will:
- Act as duty Harbour Master on rotational basis
- Lead on identifying, reviewing and reporting marine risks within the Harbour.
- Ensure that the facilities of the Harbour and Harbour estate are correctly maintained and safely available to Harbour users.
- Prepare and maintain a Port Waste Management plan.
- Prepare maintain and exercise the Harbour emergency and oil spill plans.
- Assist the Harbour Master to ensure compliance with the Ports & Marine Facilities Safety Code.
- Ensure the safe berthing of yachts and fishing vessels using Harbour authority moorings.
Other duties include Harbour patrols, maintenance of navigation aids, and enforcement activities.
You will assist with controlling the public use of the Harbour slipways, fishing berth facilities such as davits and cranes and ensure adherence to Health and Safety regulations.
The role requires the successful candidate to be involved with the safe pilotage of commercial ships working around the tide day and night 365 days per year on a rostered basis. An ability to work flexibly, including unsocial hours around spring tides and working weekends is essential. You will be on call for emergency response when required, that can attract additional payments.
We want to create a diverse workplace where people are respected, valued, and listened to. We’re all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where jointly we all grow and learn together.
The team
The Harbour Masters Team, which sits within KSL Waterways Department in Local Operations, is a small team of experienced marine personnel that deliver the safe and efficient running of Rye Harbour. They deliver the pilotage service for commercial ships which use the Harbour to trade at Rye Wharf, welcome visiting yachts in the summer months and administer leisure and fishing berths year-round.
See candidate pack for more on working with us and our benefits.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
- Seagoing marine experience and experience in command of a commercial vessel.
- RYA advanced powerboat commercially endorsed or a higher-grade certificate of competency.
- Marine radio certificate
- ENG1 or ML5 certificate of medical fitness
- Full UK driving license
It would be helpful, but not essential, if you had:
RYA Day skipper theory, STCW small ships navigation and radar certificate, STCW Sea Survival, RYA First aid, STCW one day Firefighting, RYA professional practices and responsibilities, knowledge of the Ports & Marine Facilities Code.
The candidate pack and generic role profile should be read along with the advert to understand the key accountabilities and skills needed.
Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed.
As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.