Salvage Master
Job Summary
Seeking an experienced Salvage Master to lead on-site marine salvage, wreck removal, and emergency response operations, ensuring casualty response plans are executed safely and effectively. This role directs salvage personnel, contractors, and marine assets at the casualty site, partnering closely with the Project Manager and technical specialists to manage operational risk, resources, and rapidly changing conditions.
Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, coordination, and on-site execution of salvage and emergency response activities.
- Direct salvage crews, subcontractors, divers, vessel personnel, and marine support assets.
- Supervise operations including dewatering, cargo and fuel removal, refloating, wreck removal, and emergency towage.
- Assess casualty conditions, adjust operational plans, and resolve site-level technical and operational issues.
- Determine equipment needs and oversee mobilisation, readiness, and safe deployment of salvage equipment.
- Coordinate work sequencing with naval architects, divers, marine crews, surveyors, and specialist contractors.
- Confirm site readiness, including lifting/rigging arrangements, permits, and task-specific operational controls.
- Maintain clear operational communication between the casualty vessel, shore teams, and project management.
- Provide daily progress reports, operational recommendations, and critical updates to the Project Manager.
- Track milestones, personnel and equipment utilisation, delays, and changes in casualty conditions.
- Review salvage work plans, method statements, task briefings, and operational handover documentation.
- Escalate material risks, incidents, technical constraints, and additional resource needs promptly.
- Lead toolbox talks, site risk assessments, and safe-work planning ahead of critical operations.
- Enforce site safety procedures and stop unsafe work when required.
- Oversee environmental protection measures and safe handling of cargo, bunkers, pollutants, and hazardous materials.
Requirements
- Substantial hands-on experience leading marine salvage, wreck removal, grounding response, or emergency marine operations.
- Strong technical understanding of salvage methods, stability considerations, towing, lifting, dewatering, and marine equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and make sound decisions under high-pressure casualty conditions.
- Strong safety leadership, operational judgement, communication, and incident reporting capabilities.
- Good written and spoken English.
- Available for urgent mobilisation and extended project assignments.
- Project-based working arrangement depending on operational requirements.
- Primarily on-site casualty assignments, with international travel and urgent mobilisation as required.
- Flexible working hours during active emergency response operations.
- Preferred: Master Mariner or senior seagoing background with relevant maritime and salvage qualifications.
- Preferred: Experience leading complex grounding, cargo removal, pollution prevention, refloating, or emergency towage projects.
- Preferred: International casualty response experience working with shipowners, insurers, surveyors, and salvage contractors.
- Compensation and contract terms will be agreed based on experience and assignment.