Mystic Whaler Cruises

Mate

The Mate is either Coast Guard licensed, or has sufficient sea time for a license, while possessing substantial experience in traditionally rigged vessels. The Mate is responsible for every aspect of the deck, rig, and mechanical equipment, as well as the crew, and standing watch. The Mate must be the ultimate goodwill ambassador to our passengers and the public. A very high standard of excellence must be maintained.
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Deckhand

The Deckhand is the assistant to the Mate on deck, with immediate responsibility for the running rig, passenger safety and comfort, and standing watch. The Deckhand's responsibilities are broadly defined and interpreted: stay flexible at all times! Deckhands have at least a full season's experience on large traditional vessels, as well as a season with us as a steward. Submit a Resume >>

Cabin Steward

The Cabin Steward is a sailing housekeeper, responsible for making bunks and ensuring a high standard of cleanliness throughout the vessels. The Cabin Steward is a sailor and a watch stander. Prior sailing experience helps, but is not required. Submit a Resume >>

Galley Steward

The Galley Steward is a dishwashing sailor who is directly responsible to the cook. Some food preparation is involved as well as set-up and clean up of meals. There are some deck responsibilities, but no watch standing when passengers are on board. Sailing experience is not required, but a great attitude and the stamina to work long hours are essential. Submit a Resume >>

Cook

Substantial restaurant or windjammer cooking experience is expected of applicants. The cook is nearly as responsible as Mother Nature for the memories passengers will take home of the quality of their experience. The Cook is not a watch stander, and deck duties are optional except in an emergency. Sailing experience is not required, but a love of the sea certainly helps. Submit a Resume >>

Mid Season Relievers

Mid-June through Labor Day. This time period during which most college students are available coincides with our greatest need for relief crew. We sail 7 days per week, but seek to arrange up to two days off per week for the regular crew. There are two full time relievers who rotate through three of the five positions, depending on their talents and experience. Submit a Resume >>

With all the positions, personality is key. Each crewmember is not only a sailor, but also a host and an educator with the responsibility for delivering the best experience possible to our several thousand passengers. You must be a "people person". The crew becomes a very close-knit unit who lives and works on board, sharing tight quarters while putting in very long hours. This is not just a job, and it is not always an adventure either, but an experience that both consumes you and becomes you the entire time you are onboard. We are here to serve the schooner, the passengers, and ourselves, in that order. Finally, this enriching experience must and will be a whole lot of fun.

The Seasons

The Spring Season-late February through mid June

One month of fitting out the schooner in Bridgeport, CT, followed by two months on the Hudson River in New York, working with the Clearwater foundation, delivering environmental education cruises to school groups. We offer two cruises per day with 50 students each cruise. Fortunately, we only house and feed our crew and eight Clearwater Educators. The rich variety of the experience is that we change ports of operation every few days, and see much of one of America's great rivers. Each crewmember assists in the education program.

The Main Season-June through November 15th

Sailing out of New London and the Chesapeake Bay, offering vacation cruises of three hours to 5 days in length.

If you are interested in pursuing a position on the Mystic Whaler, please submit a resume as soon as possible, and list all your work and education experiences, whether related to sailing or not. In the unfortunate event that we do not have a position immediately, we would like to keep your resume in the event that we receive a request from another schooner in need of crew. A week after you have sent your resume, call the office 1-800-697-8420 to set up an interview. If travel is feasible, it is best for all concerned to arrange a visit to the schooner.

As required by Federal Law, all crew must be enrolled in a random drug-testing program, which is paid for by Mystic Whaler Cruises. As a condition of employment, however, all crew must bring a certificate of pre-employment drug screening, which is the employee responsibility. This DOT/SAMSHA approved test can be administered by most clinics, and the cost averages $70.