Sea-Watch is looking for a MECHANIC for AURORA

Starting Date: Mid-April

Deadline for application: Friday 23.02.2024

Sea-Watch Aurora im Einsatz

Sea-Watch e.V. is a non-profit initiative dedicated to the civil sea rescue of refugees. In view of the humanitarian disaster in the central Mediterranean Sea-Watch provides emergency aid, demands and at the same time forces the rescue by the responsible European institutions and publicly stands up for legal escape routes. We are politically and religiously independent and are financed exclusively by donations.

Our AURORA is a 14-meter rescue boat that has been adapted for use in the Central Mediterranean. It can reach a top speed of 25 knots. This makes it one of the fastest vessels in the civilian search and rescue fleet in the central Mediterranean. The crew is on standby near our port of operation in order to respond to emergencies as quickly as possible. The crew lives together in a crew house in shared accommodation.

For our AURORA we are looking for a permanent mechanic starting in Mid-April.

Your Role & Responsibilities

As the Mechanic on board you are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of the engines, along with all mechanical and electrical equipment inside and outside the engine room

You will be working as the sole mechanic onboard but with 24h technical support via phone and in person within 48h if required. Given the small size of the ship and flat hierarchies among the crew, we expect the mechanic to support with deck and guest care work, whenever other duties allow. The mechanic also acts as 2nd Helmsperson, and might be tasked to manoeuvre the vessel in shifts with the skipper.

Given the small size of the vessel and crew everyone is expected to help with manoeuvres (e.g. mooring), guest care and basic first aid. Communication needs to be clear and constructive at all times. Working language on board of our ships is English, additional language skills are welcome.

Sea sickness can be a real issue on Aurora, so please consider that when applying.

You should bring the following skills:

  • Experience being solely responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of engines
  • AEC1 or above (or willingness to obtain it)
  • Experience with maintenance of Electric Systems (Battery system, engine controls etc)
  • German SBF See, or equivalent pleasure craft license without limitations of distance from the coast,
  • valid Radio Operator’s Certificate (or willingness to obtain it)
  • Strong ability to improvise and adapt under pressure
  • Good English language skills (oral and written)
  • Microsoft excel/word skills
  • Good team leading skills. Communicative leadership is desired
  • Physical fitness and mental resilience
  • Excellent communication and decision-making skills
  • Brilliant and respectful team player

Particularly desired skills:

  • Experience in Search and Rescue
  • STCW Engine Watchkeeping licence
  • experience working with volunteers, some of whom with limited nautical experience

We offer you:

  • Salary: 3.360 €/month (employee gross)
  • Leave according to a 1 months on/off rotation schedule (1 month on – 1 month leave), salary will be paid monthly as mentioned above

Your assignments:

  • Responsibility for the safe operation and maintenance of the engines, along with all mechanical and electrical equipment inside and outside the engine room, as per the Planned Maintenance System (PMS)
  • Responsibility to ensue that all engine room documents remain up-to-date, including the engine room logbook
  • Responsibility for maintaining good communication with the Skipper and the shore manager on the status of the engines
  • Responsibility for communicating the technical needs and requirements, for the effective operation of the ship
  • Responsibility for organising necessary orders, such as spare parts, fuel oil, lube oil, water – as well as preparing and overseeing bunker operations
  • Implementing safe working practice and shipboard environmental policy in the engine room
  • Ensure that machinery which is not in regular use is periodically tested and maintained
  • Provide a written handover report at the end of each voyage, covering general performance of the engine room and equipment, any problems and any recommendations for replacement, maintenance, additional equipment, are shared with the technical and ship manager
  • Foresee, organise and enact the adequate work requests for the coming shipyard or technical stops, in close collaboration and communication with the technical and ship managers, to ensure the proper maintenance of the ship and compliance with regulations
Aurora Engine Roomm

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please apply via our online application form with a letter of motivation (max. 500 words. „Why do you want to join Sea-Watch? What do you want to bring to the role of mechanic?“) and a CV without photo. If you have already applied via the application form, please apply again.

Letter of motivation and CV have to be submitted in ONE pdf-document.

Deadline for application: Friday 23.02.2024

We are committed to an inclusive society without racism and with freedom of movement for all. In case of equal qualification, we favour applications from women*, LGBTQI*, BIPoC, people with disabilities, people with migration experience and people from other groups underrepresented in the maritime and NGO world. Should you feel addressed here, we invite you to provide relevant information on this in your application. Please refrain from providing application photos and any information on age and marital status.