Captain

As a captain with HGK Shipping Lux S.à r.l. you will navigate vessels such as gas tankers along the Rhine and its tributaries.

The captain holds the highest rank on board a barge and holds responsibility for the vessel’s crew and the cargo on behalf of his shipping company.

As with the other crew members (helmsman, sailors and deck hands where relevant), the captain is also responsible for performing the duties of daily operations in accordance with statutory or in-company regulations.

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Tasks of captains

Safe navigation of a barge
Communication with the personnel department and the customer on scheduling and organisational matters
Observing the provisions of national and international regulations and laws
Arranging and coordinating work processes on board
Willingness to accept changing work locations
Can cope with changing weather conditions

Now you are responsible!

Responsible for the crew in safety-related matters
Responsibility for the safety of the vessel
Responsibility for the smooth flow of all operations on the vessel
Apprenticeships for helmsmen and sailors

A day in the life of a captain

As one of two captains on a barge, you start the shift at 03.30 in the morning. The handover from the previous shift (which began at 20:00) takes place in the wheelhouse. Here, events that have occurred during the night and the day, the route, position, traffic, water level, maintenance etc. are discussed.

Once the in-house checklists have been completed and sent, the skipper takes over the steering of the vessel. From time to time a break of some 90 minutes is provided by a helmsman or -woman. During this time the skipper can take breakfast and perform organisational and administrative tasks.

During the trip, all nautical concerns such as course agreements, weather, route-specific details (low bridges, low water levels and many other factors) must be kept in view. At about 12:00 the next shift begins, as the work is arranged in an eight-hour shift system.