Deputy Harbour Master

Brightlingsea Harbour are searching for a Deputy Harbour Master to take up an exciting, demanding but rewarding role in a fantastic working environment.

Located just ten miles from Colchester in Essex, Brightlingsea Harbour is a vibrant and evolving maritime hub. With a proud heritage, active commercial operations, and a growing reputation as a leisure destination, the harbour is poised for continued development. To support this growth, we are seeking a dynamic individual to lead teams, engage with Mooring holders, visitors ,commercial organisations, public bodies and members of the general public.

You’ll enjoy a flexible working environment and play a pivotal role in ensuring the harbour operates safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of customer service.

It is a small mixed leisure and commercial port with a rich heritage and is within a nature conservation area of international importance. The harbour comprises a commercial wharf, a marina and several boatyards and provides a total of about 500 berths and moorings. Vessels handled include cargo vessels up to 100m, Charter fishing vessels, wind farm support vessels to the adjacent Gunfleet Sands and approximately 3000 visiting recreational craft per year.

Overall Purpose

To support the Harbour Master (HM) in ensuring safety of navigation, continuity of Marine Operations, in support of the Harbour's commitment to the stakeholders. Managing commercial shipping and leisure craft, the provision of pilotage, the execution of conservancy functions, collection of dues, and the maintenance of marine infrastructure and craft.

Main Responsibilities

To assist the HM in the day-to-day operations of Brightlingsea Harbour in compliance with

statutory requirements. The HM team is currently made up of HM, Deputy HM (DHM) and two

Duty HMs their role is to work as a team to:

1. Pilotage - Plan and efficiently run Pilot support Services (not as a Pilot)

2. Projects - Deliver new marine projects in support of the CE/HM and strategic growth agenda.

3. Marine Assets - Management and assisted preparation of maintenance plans, operational budgets including overtime, costs are monitored, and expenditure effectively controlled.

4. Harbour Conservancy - Ensure the safe management of the harbour - Maintenance of

Navigation safety assets, Harbour Surveys.

5. Marine Safety - Maintaining an effective and compliant (with PMSC) Marine Safety

Management System (MSMS) as part of an Integrated Management System. Constantly

assess marine risks and manage a comprehensive risk register as part of the MSMS.

Responsibilities and Duties

Statutory, Marine Safety & Incident Management

-Under direction and accountable to the HM, the DHM is responsible for ensuring the effective

management of marine safety in Brightlingsea Harbour Statutory Area.

-Take a lead in emergency preparedness and response in the absence of the HM.

-Manage on behalf of the HM the Harbour Marine Safety Management System.

-As directed by HM undertake investigations into incidents or accidents as required. Investigate

near misses, incidents, and dangerous occurrences.

-Scrutinise, 3rd party operations and events and their risk assessments.

-Developing and maintaining emergency response plans including oil spill plan.

Vessel Management

-Manage commercial shipping and leisure craft, the provision of pilotage, the execution of

conservancy functions, collection of dues, and the maintenance of marine infrastructure and

craft.

-Ensure all harbour vessels are maintained in a seaworthy condition and that their certification and coding or class documentation is kept up to date and appropriate to their employment.

Compliance and Risk Management

-Maintain an effective and compliant (with PMSC) Marine Safety Management System (MSMS) as

part of BHC’s Marine Safety Management System.

-Constantly assess marine risks and manage a comprehensive risk register as part of the MSMS.

-Work with HM and in partnership with, shipping agent and Pilotage provision to manage shipping movements and pilotage provision.

-Managing and updating risk assessments and the risk assessment register.

-Complete special category risk assessments as required.

-Respond to non-normal and emergency situations and escalate as required.

-Identify hazards and risks on the water in relation to role and implement change to address.

-Proactively highlight areas of improvement and instigate change.

-Carry out internal audits as required of BHC Safety Management System.

-Ensure all safety related maintenance and inspections are completed as required.

Marine Asset Management

-Input into the delivery of the maintenance programme and ensure surveys of vessels and infrastructure are undertaken at regular intervals as required to ensure safe and compliant operations.

-Propose timely asset replacement in order to maintain efficient operations.

-Oversee as delegated procurement of new marine assets to ensure that they are fit for purpose

and services are resilient and sustainable.

Revenue & Costs

-Act as project manager for new marine projects as directed.

-Undertake purchasing within budgetary constraints.

-Acting on instruction of HM ensure Harbour dues are proactively charged and collected from all

Commercial vessels. Support Harbour leisure staff in collection of Harbour dues from

leisure vessels.

Other Duties

-Contribute to the Organisation’s strategic plan - formulation and delivery.

-Work with the HM to proactively contribute to the development of departmental policy and

procedures, to ensure all statutory requirements are fully met at all times for harbour and

pilotage duties.

-Ensure records are maintained and that written procedures are correctly acted upon and

Controlled.

-To act as Pilot boat Coxswain as required.

- Monitor training and certification and ensure all personnel in the marine departments remain

competent and authorised to perform their roles. Oversee training of pilot boat crews.

-Oversee reviews of navigational aids and their performance and maintenance, act upon

directions received from GLA.

            -Ensure internal audit programme is delivered and carry out internal audits as required.

  -Give presentations explaining the role of the harbour authority to members of the public when

required.

-Deputise for HM and attend Marine Safety Committee, Emergency Response Committee and

UKHMA and other external meetings as required.

-Work with the HM to monitor for new legislation, advice, guidance and outcomes of relevant

MAIB investigations.

-Planning, directing and recording all safety related maintenance;

-Managing training plans and records;

-To allocate and manage all moorings ensuring optimal use throughout the year.

-To manage Duty Harbour Masters, Harbour apprentices and Harbour incremental Staff

a. Including:

i. Compiling rotas.

ii. Managing individual training records.

iii. Monitoring standards of performance and providing appraisals.

iv. Checking timesheets.

-To ensure an accurate log of harbour activity is maintained.

-If required represent BHC publicly at meetings with outside bodies and agencies and the media portraying the BHC in a responsible and professional manner.

Line of Accountability

Chief Executive /Harbour Master -> Deputy Harbour Master

Spending authority -  Spending guidelines

-        Manage asset management, vessel maintenance and staff training budgets as appropriate.

-        Allocate appropriate resources to undertake investigations into incidents.

-        Deliver services to operational budgets including overtime, costs monitored, and

-        expenditure effectively controlled.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational

health and safety in Great Britain. It sets out the general duties which:

-Employers have towards employees and members of the public.

-Employees have to themselves and to each other.

-Examples of your H&S responsibilities are below. Note this is not an exhaustive list:

-Assist in Risk Assessment/Procedure/Method Statement reviews.

-Report any accidents, incidents and near misses.

-Take great care for the health and safety of yourself and others, including the public.

-Act as first aider as and when required.

Hours of Work

The role of the Deputy Harbour Master is full time. The days worked require some flexibility to

accommodate meetings, events and workload. There is a requirement to cover Harbour

Master’s duties week on/ week off during the July / August break, this is normally for a 7-day period being on call 24 hours each day and may require response at any time during the period.

Salary Range

Starting salary from £45,000 dependent on qualification and experience.

30 Days Holiday

Training Certification, renewals and revalidations funded

Long service Holiday entitlement increases

Various support including Tax free financial available for candidates relocating to take up this post.

Qualifications and Experience

• Port/Seafaring/Marine operations background and experience. Knowledge and understanding

of the Port Marine Safety Code.

• Experience of working in a Trust Port or similar management position.

• Management role in a marine or other environment and/or experience of managing operational

teams.

• Full current driving Licence.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to use Microsoft Office; including Word, PowerPoint, Excel spreadsheets, databases,

internet, Apps and effective email communication. Basic knowledge and use of social media.

• Demonstrate ability to structure time, take responsibility for and manage work to meet regular

deadlines.

Note: Essential qualifications are required at or around formal appointment – desirables are required

but can be taken post award during probationary period but are essential prior to completion of

probation.

Closing Date 27 April 2026

Candidates with questions are invited to write or Call Harbour Master.

Applications by email to hm@brightlingseaharbour.org

Or By Post to

Harbour Master

Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners

4 Copperas Road,

Brightlingsea,

Colchester,

Essex.

CO7 0AP

James Thomas

Harbour Master/ Chief Executive