Assistant Harbour Master
About this role
We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.
It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.
We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.
Assistant Harbour Master (VTS)
Location: Southampton
Reporting to: Deputy Harbour Master
Function: Marine
Closing Date: 24th August 2026
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced maritime professional looking to further develop their leadership career within one of the UK's busiest and most strategically important ports. The role offers the chance to play a key part in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of vessels throughout Southampton's Statutory Harbour Authority and Competent Harbour Authority areas, while supporting the delivery of a world-class Vessel Traffic Service (VTS).
About the Role
As Assistant Harbour Master (VTS), you will be responsible for supporting the safe navigation of vessels, coordinating marine operations, protecting the marine environment, and helping to ensure the continued delivery of an efficient and professional VTS service.
Operating within one of Europe's busiest waterways, you will work closely with colleagues across Port Marine Operations, Safety & Security, Maintenance, and external stakeholders including the MCA, shipping agents, vessel masters, terminal operators, emergency services and wider marine service providers.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the safe navigation of all vessels within the Southampton harbour area.
- Exercise Harbour Master's Powers of Direction when required to maintain safety.
- Lead the delivery of vessel traffic management plans and coordinate safe and efficient vessel movements.
- Oversee the safe movement of dangerous cargoes through the port.
- Support the performance and effectiveness of VTS operations and Aids to Navigation.
- Coordinate pilot allocation and pilot transfer operations.
- Contribute to the management of patrol and pilot launch services.
- Provide an initial response during marine incidents and emergencies.
- Maintain professional standards and compliance with MCA, IALA and Port Marine Safety Code requirements.
- Provide leadership and direction to on-watch VTS and marine operational personnel.
- Support wider marine projects and operational initiatives as required.
About You
We're looking for an experienced maritime professional with strong operational knowledge and proven leadership capability.
Essential requirements:
- Strong marine background with demonstrable leadership experience.
- Sound knowledge of the Port Marine Safety Code and marine operational best practice.
- Ability to make effective decisions in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable qualifications and experience:
- C0103-1 VTS qualification (Supervisor endorsement) or willingness to undertake training.
- STCW A-II/2 seagoing certification or equivalent maritime competence.
- Harbour Master qualification.
- PEC or local endorsements / knowledge of the Southampton area and Solent
Want to see what it’s like to work for the UK’s largest port operator? Our virtual work experience programme gives you an inside look at trade, sustainability, safety, and careers in one of the UK’s most vital indutries- https://www.talentxp.co.uk/track/e2e029cd
Additional Information:
When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.
Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.
We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.
As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
Company at a glance
ABP is the UK’s leading ports group. We proudly serve our customers and our communities in the pursuit of our ambitious missions which are ‘Keeping Britain Trading’ and ‘Enabling the Energy Transition’. These are underpinned by a strong commitment to safety, sustainability and our people.
Our network of 21 ports handles ~ one quarter of the UK’s seaborne trade, and ~ £157 billion of UK trade annually. Our ports include Immingham, the UK’s largest port by tonnage, and Southampton, the nation’s number one export port, handling £40 billion of UK exports each year.
ABP is an essential partner for the Offshore Wind industry, providing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for over 50% of the sector’s activity, as well as building infrastructure in facilities like Green Port Hull, a joint investment with SGRE, the largest Offshore Wind blade manufacturer, and LEEF (Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility).
ABP is delivering on its green ambitions through decarbonising its operations, supporting customers in building more sustainable supply chains, and investing in infrastructure to realise future renewable energy generation. Since 2014, it has reduced its CO2 emissions by over 38%.
ABP’s vast freehold bank and ports are ready to support the drive towards achieving the nation’s target of net zero emissions by 2050.
The group’s other activities incl
ABP Property: Property division, with an unrivalled land bank spanning 21 multi-modal locations around the country, and 960 hectares of port-based development land.
ABPmer: Marine and hydrographic company, with 60 years of experience, providing specialist marine environmental research and consultancy services.
UK Dredging: Port maintenance and dredging service.
Our ports are: Ayr, Barrow, Barry, Cardiff, Fleetwood, Garston, Goole, Grimsby, Hull, Immingham, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Lowestoft, Newport, Plymouth, Port Talbot, Silloth, Southampton, Swansea, Teignmouth and Troon
Top Benefits
- Generous remuneration package
- Employer pension
- Private health insurance
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