Deputy Harbour Master - Port of Tilbury

Hours: 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off working 10 hour shifts

Compensation: Salary - £50,000-£55,000, Shift allowance - £9,847

At Forth Ports, we keep trade, logistics, and infrastructure moving. Every day, our teams support the flow of goods, materials, and services that businesses and communities rely on, helping to power economic growth across the UK and beyond. Our people are at the core of everything we do, and their expertise, commitment, and innovation drive our success.

With our commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero by 2042, we're investing heavily in sustainable and digital technologies, including major growth in offshore wind and greener port operations. For you, this means joining a business that's evolving, ambitious, and making a real difference.

About this role

As Deputy Harbour Master, you will play a key role in supporting the safe, efficient and compliant operation of the harbour and its marine activities. Working closely with the Harbour Master, you will help oversee the day-to-day management of vessel movements, navigational safety, harbour operations and regulatory compliance, ensuring that the harbour continues to operate to the highest professional and safety standards. The postholder will contribute to the delivery of strategic objectives, provide operational leadership, and act on behalf of the Harbour Master when required, supporting a safe and effective service for harbour users, stakeholders and the wider community.

Key responsibilities:

• Supervise and control all vessel movements, ensuring safe navigation and berthing within statutory harbour limits.
• Direct and manage Marine Operatives and Berthing Masters during shift operations.
• Issue and enforce Directions and Special Directions under the Port of London Act 1968.
• Conduct and oversee marine incident response, initial investigations, and emergency activation protocols.
• Monitor lock efficiency and vessel scheduling to maximise throughput and reduce environmental impact.
• Authorise and oversee marine operations including mooring, bunkering, hot works, diving, and waste management.
• Ensure full compliance with oil spill contingency plans and dangerous goods handling procedures.
• Maintain accurate records for vessel movements, permits, exemptions, and marine-related documentation.
• Support and participate in internal audits, including those aligned with the Port Marine Safety Code.
• Lead shift handovers and communicate operational hazards or issues effectively.
• Identify training needs and contribute to the continuous development of team members.

What we're looking for:

We are looking for a capable and professional maritime operations specialist with strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills. You will have relevant experience in a harbour, marine or port environment, together with a sound understanding of marine safety and operational best practice. The role operates on a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off rota with fixed rest days during duty periods. Accommodation is provided at the port, and the successful candidate will work as part of an on-call rota to support the safe and effective operation of the harbour outside normal working hours.

Skills & Qualifications:

• STCW or MCA recognised marine qualification is preferred but not essential
• Extensive experience in port operations, vessel traffic services, or harbour management
• Strong understanding of the Port Marine Safety Code and Port of London Act
• Proven emergency response and marine incident management capabilities
• Excellent leadership and team coordination skills
• Competency in marine systems, scheduling, and control systems
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• Full Driving Licence, valid in the UK
• Full UK Working Rights

What Forth Ports can offer you

At Forth Ports, our people are our priority, and we are committed to creating a flexible, open, and supportive working culture. As part of our team, you will enjoy

• A competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• Shift allowance
• On-site accomodation
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary
• Inhouse Occupational Health — Provides professional workplace health advice, support, and guidance for employees across all sites
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — Delivered through Health Assured, offering 24/7, 365day confidential wellbeing support via the Wisdom app or telephone access, covering mental health, financial advice, legal guidance, and emotional wellbeing
• Physiotherapy Support — Access to physiotherapy sessions through three external providers in Scotland, plus an onsite physiotherapist once per week in Tilbury
• An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat-free alternative for all employees
• GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group, and selected local gyms
• Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting
• On-site free parking available for all employees
• Attractive family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover
• Employee discount platform providing savings on UK-wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays

We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service.

We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military spouses/partners, and we actively support flexible and inclusive recruitment practices.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a cover letter when submitting your application via this link.