Sea-Watch is looking for a SAR Team Lead/Deck Rating (f/m/d)

starting 15.02.2026

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 SEA-WATCH 5 is looking for a SAR Team Lead/Deck Rating (watchkeeping) to join our mission

As Deck Rating and SAR Team Lead, you will work closely with the bosun, bridge team, and Head of Mission to ensure safe and effective ship and rescue operations. You coordinate and oversee all rescue boat activities, including preparation, execution, and debriefing of fast rescue boat missions, making critical decisions to safeguard lives at sea. On deck, you support with watches, maintenance, ship cleaning, and mooring operations, while instructing other crew members in line with Sea-Watch principles to foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment. After rescues, you take part in survivor care and crowd management, ensuring smooth cooperation between the deck and guest care teams.

Your tasks

  • Responsible for the oversight and executing all maintenance and repairs of the rescue boats and rescue equipment during mission and port calls
  • Coordinate, brief, train & supervise the rescue boat team and particularly rescue boat drivers
  • Operate as tactical coordinator from the Sea-Watch rescue boats during a rescue, leading the execution of the rescue operation from the water, and reporting to the HOM/Captain on the Bridge.
  • Serve as the overall focal point for the rescue team, working closely alongside other department coordinators on board as well as on shore to ensure an holistic approach to mission priorities
  • Ensure comprehensive handover of all rescue team related duties and roles during crew-change as well as contributing to further developing the Standard Rescue Procedures
  • Back up rescue boat driver (jet engine and propeller, inboard and outboard alike)
  • Participate in the ship’s watch system, mooring operations and support the deck team
  • Perform maintenance tasks on deck

We offer you

  • A rapidly growing non-profit organization with constantly new challenges and ideas
  • Insights into the work of an NGO in sea rescue
  • Offers of internal training and promotion of individual further education
  • Independent work and the creative freedom to help shape our operations
  • Salary: 3400 €/month (employee gross, increases possible based on various factors**)
  • Two months on/off rotation (2 months on board, 2 months leave, monthly salary will be paid as mentioned above)
  • Special payments and additional benefits, such as company pension scheme

Your profile

  • Proven track record of general boat driving and navigation experience on comparable boats (minimum 200 hours on board 6-10 meters fast boats, inboard and outboard engines alike), also in challenging weather conditions
  • Significant recent search and rescue experience on a ship with comparable set up to Sea-Watch 5 in the central Mediterranean;
  • Experience in general maintenance and repairs of boats from 6 to 10 meters length such as but not limited to works on sponsons, hypalon, PVC, fiber glass and gelcoat
  • Strong and proven leadership ability of a team of up to 9 persons also under pressure and/ or in volatile settings, as well as experience in crowd control and mediation
  • Valid Certificate of
    • RYA Powerboat Level 2 or equivalent license
    • Proficiency Basic Safety Training (STCW A-VI/1)
    • Proficiency for ‘ratings forming part of a navigational watch’ (STCW A-II/4)
    • Security Awareness & Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6)
    • Survival Craft & Rescue Boats or willingness to obtain it
    • Fast Rescue Crafts or willingness to obtain it
    • Medical fitness certificate for seafarers
    • VHF license (Short Range Certificate) and experience with radio communication
  • Ability to assist in navigational watches, manual steering and mooring as per watch officer’s order
  • Experience with operating hydraulic cranes desired
  • Ability to work and live in a diverse team of 30 crew members, some of whom have limited nautical experience
  • Proficient in the English language
  • Commitment to challenging racism, sexism and the EU border policy

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please send your application with a letter of motivation and a CV (listing all your relevant certificates including their validity) without a photo to: application@sea-watch.org. Deadline is 21st of December 2025.

Applications (letter of motivation and CV) please in ONE pdf-document.

We are committed to an inclusive society without racism and with freedom of movement for all. In case of equal qualification, we favor 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.

** From January 1, 2024, we have a new salary model that allows for various supplements to the basic salary and takes into account family needs and personal disability. In addition, the salary increases by 3% with every year of service. In addition, there is the possibility of supplements due to previous relevant professional experience based on internal criteria, a maximum of 5 years can be recognized here, a supplement of 3% per year of previous experience is possible.