Sailing jobs in British Columbia

About Vancouver Island Ferry Company (VIFC) and Hullo

We’re the Vancouver Island Ferry Company, a modern Canadian ferry company transforming how we travel in British Columbia. It’s all about being an easier, faster, and more enjoyable ferry experience.

Headquartered in Nanaimo and operating under our service brand Hullo, we will provide service between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo. We’re talking comfortable and reliable sailings in around 70 minutes, a seamless booking process complete with reservable seats, and refreshments that will be just that…fresh. Say goodbye to the biggest pain points of travel and be ready to be welcomed aboard with a smile and a “hello”.

VIFC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in our organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and any other category protected under applicable law. We welcome all qualified applicants who contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

The Hullo Culture

At Hullo, we're all about taking things to the next level! Our obsession with safety and delivering an unforgettable guest experience is only matched by our passion for constant improvement. We don't settle for the ordinary - we encourage our employees to think outside the box, innovate and make waves. With data-driven decision making and a continuous improvement mindset, we are committed to raising the bar in everything we do.

But don't worry, it's not all work and no play at Hullo. We believe that having fun and being engaged are key ingredients for success. That's why we strive to create a dynamic and enjoyable work environment where every team member has a say in shaping the future of the organization. From the top down, we value collaboration and want each person to feel empowered to contribute their unique ideas and talents.

About the Role

This role is part of a Union - BCFMU

We're a dynamic and growing company seeking experienced and driven Mates to help shape our future. As a Hullo Mate, you'll play a key role in leading the onboard crew, ensuring the highest levels of safety standards, and fostering a best-in-class guest experience. Our team operates two brand new state-of-the-art Damen 4212 high-speed vessels, purpose-built for reliability, efficiency, and speed.

At Hullo, we value the well-being of our crew members and prioritize your work-life balance. As a result, we take a unique approach to staffing, ensuring that our crew members have a predictable schedule throughout the year. This allows you to plan your life with certainty and achieve a healthy work-life balance. Hullo invests in our employees by providing competitive pay, a comprehensive benefits package, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, and opportunities to earn valuable sea time to progress your career.

We entrust our Mates with the crucial role of being the vessel's second in command, responsible for a range of duties including crew training, emergency response, updating bridge equipment, serving as the ship's safety officer, overseeing deck maintenance, and ensuring exceptional guest service onboard.

What We’re Looking For

- Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal (WKM-NC)
- Sailing experience and a strong understanding of all aspects of ship operations
- An interest and ability to work in a start-up culture
- A natural curiosity, humility, and hunger for growth
- Solutions focused mindset with a desire to build and improve
- Adapts quickly to change and willingness to take on new task

Required Certification (all certificates must be valid):

- Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal (WKM-NC) or Master 500 or equivalent
- MEDS or MED Refresher
- ROC-MC or GMDSS
- Seafarer’s Medical

- Electronic Chart Display Information System (ECDIS)

Desirable Certification & Experience:

- Occupational First Aid (OFA)
- Passenger Safety Management (PSM)
- Marine Evacuation Systems Training (MES)
- Bridge Resource Management (BRM)
- Jet drive, high speed craft, and passenger ship experience
- Knowledge of local sailing areas
- Train the trainer

We’re Here for You

We get it – sometimes things happen in life that you can’t control. At Hullo, people are our greatest asset, and we want to support you and those you care about beyond the paycheque. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive health and wellness benefits program to promote your physical and mental well-being so you can perform at your best. Better yet, it’s flexible since one size doesn’t fit all!

- VIFC-paid premiums
- A robust, flexible health spending account – use it for additional health coverage should you need it and/or to support your personal wellness (like paying for your gym membership, sporting equipment, or activity classes)
- Don’t have a family doctor? No worries – we offer 24/7 virtual access to doctors or nurse practitioners to get medical advice or a prescription
- Support your retirement planning with annual employer RRSP contributions

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46.44 per hour

Work Location: In person