Skipper / Captain 船長

If you have built your career operating high-speed passenger vessels in Hong Kong and Macao, you already know what a great ferry operation feels like: busy terminals, demanding schedules, changing conditions, strong ship handling and an industry that keeps moving.

That is the environment we already have in Auckland, and one we are continuing to grow, modernise and innovate.

Auckland could be your next chapter

This is more than a chance to operate a different fleet. It is an opportunity to bring your experience to New Zealand and build the next stage of your career and life in Auckland, a waterfront city surrounded by islands, beaches and the Hauraki Gulf. You can stay in the high-speed passenger ferry industry while experiencing a very different place to live and work.

A fleet built for the future

Fullers360 is New Zealand's largest ferry operator. We carry more than 5.5 million resident and visitor passengers each year and operate 365 days a year across Auckland's Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf. Our fleet includes high-speed waterjet and propeller-driven vessels across a varied passenger operation.

We are also helping bring the next generation of ferry technology into service. Auckland's new electric-hybrid fast ferries use HamiltonJet propulsion, fully electric fast ferries are being introduced to the network, and Fullers360 operates Manta, a Vessev VS-9 electric hydrofoil, as part of the world's first electric hydrofoiling tourism experience.

For an experienced Captain, that means the opportunity to combine the high-speed ferry skills you already have with new vessels, new technology and a varied operating environment. It is also a chance to keep learning, grow your career and pass your experience on. Fullers360 has a strong marine training pathway and places real value on experienced people helping develop the next generation of mariners.

What the job offers

• Hourly rate from approximately NZ$65 per hour, with progression available.

• Time-and-a-half for eligible additional shifts or hours outside your roster.

• Time-and-three-quarters for eligible hours worked after midnight.

• Five weeks of leave per year - four weeks annual leave plus one week of shift leave.

• 10 days of paid sick leave each year after six months of employment.

• A published 28-day roster giving you advance visibility of your shifts and time off.

• Support through the relevant qualification assessment, immigration and relocation processes.

• Structured vessel familiarisation and training for the Fullers360 operation.

• A varied high-speed passenger operation with multiple berthings, day and night work, changing weather and busy harbour traffic.

With additional work and premium payments available, total earnings can extend beyond the base hourly rate.

Who we want to hear from

We are particularly interested in experienced high-speed passenger Captains who can demonstrate a strong recent command record and provide clear evidence of their qualifications and sea service.

• Hong Kong Marine Department Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) (River Trade) Class 1 (RT Class 1), or another command-level qualification set suitable for assessment.

• A current High-Speed Craft Type Rating Certificate (HSC TRC) relevant to your vessel / service experience.

• Night Service Approval or equivalent evidence, where applicable.

• Recent command experience on high-speed passenger vessels, ideally with at least five years as Captain.

• Experience operating in demanding passenger environments with strong safety judgement.

• Strong spoken and written operational English. You need to be able to command safely, brief and direct crew, communicate with passengers and shore teams, understand procedures and technical information, complete operational reports, participate in training and engage with regulatory assessors.

About the job title

In New Zealand, Fullers360 uses the title Skipper for this role. In Hong Kong and Macao, you may know the equivalent command role as Captain.

The New Zealand pathway

Fullers360 is actively working through the New Zealand qualification recognition and immigration pathways for suitably experienced Hong Kong Masters. We will support successful candidates through the relevant assessment, immigration and relocation processes.

Any appointment will remain subject to satisfactory qualification assessment, Maritime New Zealand requirements, immigration eligibility and Fullers360's normal recruitment process. No fixed start date or qualification recognition is guaranteed at this stage.

Interested?

Send us your CV and, if available, copies of your principal Certificate of Competency, HSC Type Rating / high-speed endorsement, Night Service Approval and a short summary of your recent high-speed passenger command experience.

Qualification information provided will be handled as part of the recruitment and regulatory assessment process and used to assess your suitability and potential New Zealand pathway.

If you have built your career in high-speed passenger ferries and are ready to consider what the next chapter could look like, we would like to hear from you.

You do not need to leave high-speed ferry operations behind to make a change.