Fleet Compliance Manager

SUMMARY

The Compliance Manager ensures the company's diverse fleet remains fully compliant with all domestic and international maritime regulations, safety standards, and environmental protocols. This position serves as the primary liaison among shoreside management, vessel crews, vessel managers and port captains, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The selected candidate acts as the company's in-house regulatory authority for a fleet that includes Subchapter I dredges, Subchapter M towing vessels, Small Passenger Vessels, and Uninspected Commercial Vessels (UCVs). Based in Galveston, Texas, the role requires 20-30% travel for onboard pre-inspection assessments.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

* Ensure the organization is in full compliance with all relevant local, federal, and international regulations.

* Participate in risk management efforts, including identifying hazards, conducting risk assessments, and help develop implementation strategies.

* Provides ongoing status updates to Senior Management Team with recommendations for improving substandard performance and overall progress.

* Prepare, review, and submit comprehensive technical packages to the USCG, including the Marine Safety Center and local OCMI, and to ABS for approval of vessel modifications, alterations, and major repairs to regulated systems.

* Serve as the primary technical contact during regulatory review, address plan-review comments, resolve engineering discrepancies, and help expedite approvals.

* Ensure engineering modifications comply with applicable classification rules, flag-state guidelines, and statutory requirements.

* Review condition surveys, damage reports, and technical inspection files to determine required structural or mechanical remediation.

* Evaluate vessel repair proposals, drydock specifications, and engineering plans for compliance with ABS rules and USCG marine engineering standards.

* Coordinate with port engineers, shipyard management, and class surveyors to monitor execution of approved regulatory repairs.

* Conduct hands-on vessel inspections across the fleet, including advance readiness assessments for ABS classification surveys and USCG inspections.

* Identify and mitigate shipboard risks involving structural fire protection, suppression and detection systems, watertight integrity, bilge and ballast systems, walking-working surfaces, non-skid treatments, handrails, ladders, confined-space testing, ventilation, permitting, and rescue arrangements.

* Travel to vessels in port, at project sites, or in drydock to verify structural, mechanical, firefighting, lifesaving, and general inspection readiness.

* Conduct internal and external audits to evaluate program effectiveness and maintain compliance.

* Track, manage, and close deficiencies, including USCG Form 835-A items and ABS outstanding recommendations.

* Serve as the company subject matter expert on UCV compliance under 46 CFR Subchapter C.

* Provide internal determinations regarding mariner sea time, license progression, and manning requirements in accordance with USCG National Maritime Center guidance.

Monitor changes to CFRs, NVICs, IMO requirements, and other maritime regulations, and translate them into actionable procedures for dredges, towing vessels, and passenger operations.

* Participate in incident investigations and root-cause analyses related to near misses, regulatory nonconformities, and recurring physical safety hazards.

* Act as the primary liaison with the USCG, ABS, and flag-state authorities; coordinate inspection, survey, drydock, and statutory certification schedules.

* Direct preparation for obtaining and maintaining Certificates of Inspection across inspected fleet assets under Subchapters I, M, and T.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

* Experienced leader of people with the ability to motivate, develop and direct others.

* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to effectively relay complex information to diverse audiences, from employees to executive leadership and regulators.

* Former or retired USCG Marine Inspector with Prevention/Marine Inspection experience is strongly preferred.

* Minimum of 5-7 years of direct experience performing vessel regulatory inspections/compliance, marine surveying, plan review, or USCG marine inspections.

* Demonstrated knowledge of 46 CFR Subchapters C, I, M, and T; the USCG Marine Safety Manual; and ABS rules.

* Proven experience auditing, assessing damage, or enforcing compliance for inspected and uninspected commercial vessels.

* Proven experience drafting technical packages or repair proposals for submission to regulatory authorities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

* Ability to work effectively in cross-functional team initiatives.

* Must understand financial implications of various business decisions.

* Excellent organizational and planning skills.

* Documented ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence.

* Excellent leadership, communication (written, verbal and presentation) and collaboration skills.

* Proficiency in reading and interpreting marine blueprints, structural drawings, and technical repair specifications.

* Thorough understanding of USCG credentialing regulations and sea-time evaluation requirements.

* Must hold or be eligible to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

* Operational knowledge of marine safety hazards, damage control, and workplace safety requirements in industrial maritime environments.

* Ability to climb vertical ladders, enter confined spaces, and board vessels at sea, in port, or in drydock during required travel.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must perform the job's essential functions with or without reasonable workplace accommodation.

The individual must also be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to work or visit within areas where it is required. This includes hard hat, safety glasses, life vest, respirators, ear plugs, steel toed shoes, personal flotation devices (PFD's), or other protective equipment as required by the work performed and location the work is being done.

In addition, the employee must also be capable of:

* Walking, stepping, climbing, or otherwise moving from one location on the job site to another, which may be of varying heights and access parameters.

* Standing, stooping, twisting, bending, crouching, kneeling, squatting, climbing, or sitting repetitively and/or for extended periods of time.

* Repetitive movements by feet, shoulders, arms, wrists, hands and back in performance of work.

* Must be able to lift and carry 30lbs individually. Anything greater than 30lbs and up to 60lbs will require additional lifting means.

* Must be able to push and pull at peak force of 150lbs.

* Climbing stairs and/or vertical ladders of a height of 6ft or greater.

* Working in confined work areas and/or elevated heights.

* Adapting to temperature changes, outdoor conditions, and prolonged exposure to dusty, wet, or humid conditions, loud noises, and vibration.