Relief Deckhand at South Street Seaport Museum – New York, New York

Join the South Street Seaport Museum Relief Crew! The 1885 Schooner Pioneer, TSA Sail Training Program of the Year in 2012, has a 50+ year history of advancing careers in tall ships and the maritime industry.

On both Pioneer and the 1930 tugboat W.O. Decker (the last remaining wooden tug built in New York), the deckhand position is a chance to develop as a mariner in a challenging, supportive, and fast-paced environment. The Deckhand assists in day-to-day sail operations, including education, public, and charter sails on evenings and weekends.

Willingness to work with volunteer crew, students, and the public is critical. Experience in tall ships and/or Experiential Education is desired. Continuous on-the-job training will be offered, but with multiple sails per week, some sailing experience is critical.

The deckhand assists, at the direction of the Mate and Captain, in all aspects of the vessel's operation, handling, and maintenance of Pioneer and W.O. Decker. They serve as teachers and leaders of the volunteer crew. They create and maintain an atmosphere of inclusivity, healthy development, and freed of harassment. They maintain clear communication with the Mate and Captain. They serve as liaisons with visitors and the public.

The South Street Seaport Museum inspires exploration of New York City by preserving and interpreting the ?origins and growth of New York as a world port, a place where goods, labor, and cultures are exchanged through work, commerce, and the interaction of diverse communities.

Aboard the Museum’s operational vessel, participants of all backgrounds and ages engage in history, environmental, social, and other curricular subjects during two-hour and three-hour, hands-on sailing programs. Pioneer also offers corporate and private charters and ticketed public excursion sails Wednesday through Sunday from May to October. Occasional trips beyond New York Harbor on both operational vessels with similar programming also occur each season.

Learn more about the ships
seaportmuseum.org/about-pioneer
seaportmuseum.org/about-decker

The Deckhand is expected to be willing and able to fulfill the following duties and others as required by the ship, Museum, and staff:

• Report for shifts on time and prepare for the workday
• Learn, understand, and follow all Museum policies related to your job, particularly PPE and safety procedures as set forth in the employee handbook, training, and orientation.
• Interact with guests to provide for comfort and safety; facilitate and encourage guest connection with the opportunities and experiences encountered on each sail.
• Participate in USCG-required drug testing program.
• Provide evidence of completion of NYC Sexual Harassment Prevention Training by June 15, 2026.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and tidy work environment at all times.
• Conduct regular boat checks while on watch.
• Report and/or correct any issues found, and keep a general “sailor’s eye” out for unusual conditions and developing problems.
• Provide ongoing training to crew through leadership, management, and delegation, including the use of PPE and other safety gear, the Pioneer Sail Training Manual, and other resources. Have a thorough understanding of safety equipment and procedures.
• Control heavy objects and their movement as well as work in environmentally challenging conditions (unstable, wet, cold, slippery, etc). The Deckhand is expected to maintain personal safety both for themselves and for others in dealing with these challenges.
• Participate in at least one training sail per month.
• Beginning June 1, 2026, sail a minimum of three trips with passengers per month. This may include trips on Pioneer and W.O. Decker.
• Maintain current certification in First Aid and CPR/AED.
• Assist fellow Museum staff in projects as needed on other vessels or the museum campus.
• While aboard and in other situations where there is a connection to the Museum and its fleet, conduct oneself in a manner that represents the professionalism of the ships and the museum in the best possible light.

• Some experience is required for this position. Deckhands work under the supervision of Mate and Captain. They participate in all aspects of ship maintenance and operation. A clear willingness to work hard and learn good interpersonal skills, and a responsible and respectful outlook are required, as is participation in the USCG-mandated random drug testing program. The professional crew leads volunteer trainees as well as the passengers. Above all a safe, healthy, collaborative, and respectful workplace is the cornerstone of our program.
• Parallel experience might include teaching, particularly experiential education, sailing, sail training, carpentry, mechanical, metal work, painting, etc.
• Paid crew are expected to maintain current CPR First Aid certification. In-house training for this will be available for this in April.
  
  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Applicants must be able to:

• Work effectively under a variety of conditions, including heat, sun, wind, cold, and darkness.
• Move safely on the moving deck and in the confined spaces below with sufficient agility.
• Haul on lines under strain and lift up to 40 pounds.

This is a seasonal position lasting from April until mid-November 2026.

Compensation is: $20/hour. This is an exempt position.

Weekday, evening, and weekend hours are part of the schedule, and deckhands generally work 10–20 hours per week, depending on the needs of the crew.