JOB DESCRIPTION

· Assist with and undertake trials, commissioning and customer training on new-build and refurbished vessels.
· Maintain trials equipment and LSA.
· Engage in internal crew training and development.
· Assist in maintaining the training records database.
· Help to develop and write new training programs for customers, according to their needs.
· Assist in ensuring Griffon Marine remains compliant with maritime matters for ISO, MCA, Class and UKCoS purposes.
· Support our sister company Hovertravel Ltd in pilot and navigational duties.
· Support the wider business (Shipyard – Support – Solutions) with guidance on maritime related matters at all points during sales, design, build program, trials, commissioning, commencement of customer operations and through life support (warranty/spares/on-going training).
· Strive to become a Griffon Marine brand ambassador and explore new markets for our services.
· Assist with achieving the Team Objectives
· Report progress towards Objectives
· Lead overseas deployed teams
· Assist in managing the Safety Management System
· Support nominated customers and countries in accordance with the Griffon Marine Quality Processes.
· Work with other managers and team leaders to achieve the objectives of the business and department and to promote the company values.
· Work to continuously improve personal and overall business performance and quality
· Maintain standards for Health and safety

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

· Master II/2 or 11/3, (Unlimited, <3000GT, or <500GT)
· Those with Chief Mate II/2 or II/3 (Unlimited, or 3000GT) will be considered - MSN 1856 gives guidance on how to upgrade to a Master <500GT CoC.
· Full UK Drivers Licence and UK or EU Passport
· Experience on High Speed Craft desirable (we primarily operate vessels between 8m and 35m LOA, capable of speeds between 30 and 60 knots with conventional water screws, outboard legs, single and twin jet drive and amphibious hovercraft fitted with air-screws).
· Training experience and qualifications are desirable.
· Practical / hands-on basic technical or mechanical experience is desirable.
· Knowledge of the Solent desirable.
· You may have periods of working from home or in the office, so good computer skills are also desirable.
Personal Attributes
· Enjoy teamwork and customer engagement
· A passion for maritime industry, technology and innovation
· Prepared to use initiative to achieve the objective
· Results Driven
· Good communicator
· Resilient and confident
· Capable of working with customers, suppliers and staff at all levels
· Ability to wok to the Griffon Marine Values and Behaviours
Griffon Marine Ltd is the global leader in hovercraft technology and a highly respected builder and maintainer of aluminium High Speed Craft and conventional boats. Our business, based on the South Coast of the UK comprises of 3 divisions – Shipyard, Support and Solutions. We have offices in Woolston (Southampton) and Portchester (Portsmouth Harbour) where our main shipyard is also located. Some of our team also work from home on occasion.
Our heritage goes back over 65 years to Sir Christopher Cockerell, the inventor of the modern day hovercraft, that formed the designs of the first full sized craft, SRN1. Today, we continue to push the boundaries of innovation with our designs and our build quality and our through-life support sees customers return time and time again.
Griffon Marine Support provides comprehensive aftercare services, with a team of experienced field service engineers, technical support specialists, and supply chain coordinators. Focused on keeping fleets operational, our experts offer rapid diagnostics, maintenance planning, and spare parts provisioning. Whether performing on-site troubleshooting or remote technical assistance, our support team ensures seamless vessel operations, minimizing downtime and maximising performance across all marine sectors. Marine Operations sits within the Support division.
Currently, we are supporting over 40 operators worldwide who use our vessels and our services for military, commercial and search & rescue purposes. Some of our customers have been with us since the 1960’s and we continue to support them well into the future.
Our Hovercraft Training courses are accredited by the UK Chamber of Shipping and was described as a ‘beacon of excellence’ for the training we deliver.
A hovercraft is not a boat and it requires specialist training to operate properly. We don’t expect many people to have previous hovercraft experience when applying, so we undertake this training in-house. As your hovercraft experience grows, we will train you further on different types or classes of hovercraft and then move onto instructor / examiner training.
Initially, you will be based primarily at our sister company Hovertravel Ltd and then shadow the Griffon Marine Chief Pilot on sea trials and training tasks, both in the UK and overseas.
Hovertravel Ltd is the world’s longest running hovercraft operation and is the only scheduled passenger hovercraft service in the UK. They operate a service between Ryde (Isle of Wight) and Southsea (Portsmouth). Ryde is also Griffon Marine’s main hovercraft trials and training base although we do on occasion use Woolston and Portchester. Boat trials are generally conducted from Portchester.
As a Master for Griffon Marine Ltd, you will find that no two days are the same and you will be engaging with all divisions of the business regularly, so time management, teamwork and communication skills are very important.
You will have the fairly unique opportunity to see vessels through the entire life-cycle from initial sales enquires, the tender processes, design, build, commissioning, shipping and end-user support with training and set-up. We then support the customer through-out the vessel’s life until time for life-extension or upgrade.
You will be engaging with management and build teams, customers, Class / Flag organisations and the general public on a regular basis and in time, you should aspire to become an industry expert in High Speed Craft and Hovercraft operation.
To apply or for more information, contact recruitment@griffonmarine.com
If applying, please provide a cover letter and CV.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Work Location: In perso

The successful candidate will support the Chief Pilot in all matters relating to Marine Operations at Griffon Marine Ltd.
This will involve preparing for and undertaking trials and commissioning tasks on new-build or re-fitted High Speed Boats and Hovercraft both in the UK and on occasion, overseas. Once sufficient experience has been gained on our range of vessels, you will also prepare and undertake customer training assignments. You will also be available to support our sister company, Hovertravel Ltd, with piloting/navigation duties.
The successful candidate will also support the Chief Pilot with managing the trials equipment, LSA and crew training. On occasion, you will also be expected to assist the wider Support Team with warranty and sales tasks.
With High Speed Craft Operations, safety is our number one priority and you will lead by example.
Please note due to the training investment required for new hovercraft pilots, we will only be considering full time positions for this role