Deckhand Jobs in California
Deckhand jobs in California are active across commercial fishing fleets, ferry and passenger vessel operations, harbor services, and offshore support, with openings ranging from entry-level crew positions through senior able seaman roles. The busiest hiring markets are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where operators like the Golden Gate Ferry, Hornblower Cruises, and Crowley Maritime maintain consistent fleets and ongoing crew needs. The most in-demand specialties include vessel line handling, towing and tugboat operations, and passenger ferry crewing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Deckhand JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 8+ Deckhand jobs
Position Summary:
The Deckhand monitors deck areas onboard the vessel(s) as well as passengers, to ensure safety during ferry operations, dockside and underway. The Deckhand handles lines and rigging to launch or dock the boat and performs custodial and/or general maintenance tasks as directed. The Deckhand provides a high level of customer service to all guests.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Monitor passenger & crewmember safety issues on the vessel. Ensure that safety equipment is utilized and appropriate guidelines are followed for all tasks involving physical risk or hazardous materials.
- Participate in meetings, training, drills, and safety audits as required by USCG & company policy.
- Develop an understanding of all phases of shipboard safety procedures and knowledge of the location and use of all firefighting and safety equipment (i.e., fire extinguishers, fire stations, life preservers, work vest, life floats, and rescue boat).
- Handle and dispose of all chemicals and other types of hazardous or caustic materials in compliance with Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), as required.
- Report safety-related concerns.
- Handle mooring lines to dock or undock the vessel.
- Responsible for getting underway, mooring, anchoring, handling lines, and bridge operations in all weather conditions.
- Sell tickets and concessions, responsible for ticketing equipment, inventory, and cash.
- Provide refreshments including alcoholic beverages at times, to guests.
- Perform lookout duties while underway, including watching for other vessels and monitoring the waterway for potentially unsafe conditions.
- Assist in boarding and disembarking of passengers and vehicles.
- Assist with filling potable water, bunkering fuel, connecting, and disconnecting shore power as directed.
- Perform cleaning and custodial tasks of the vessels and property, including maintenance and construction tasks as assigned and minor engineering repairs and rounds as directed.
- Assist with training of crew as directed.
- Comply with rules and regulations contained in the crew handbook and as directed by supervisor.
- Understand and comply with the Safety Management System (SMS).
- Understand and comply with Ship Instructions (SIs).
- Maintain Crew Qualification binder.
- Collaborate with other HMS personnel to remain attentive to regulatory requirements and alert to regulatory changes.
- Assist the Master in ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations.
- Assist the Master in ensuring the vessel is in an inspection-ready condition at all times.
- Present professional level of customer service and appearance to all clients and at all times, both internal and external.
- Responsible for handling money and balancing deposits/money bags.
- Report safety, operational, and environmental issues to the vessel master.
- Additional job duties as assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- HS Diploma or equivalent
- Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card), and/or ability to obtain and maintain
- Valid First Aid/CPR Certification, and/or ability to obtain and maintain
- Obtain and maintain certification for alcohol service after training completion
- Excellent customer service skills
- Ability to effectively interact with the passengers, guests, and fellow employees
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment
- Basic computer skills with Microsoft Office familiarity
- Minimum six (6) months customer service experience preferred
- Previous marine experience or watch standing experience preferred
- One (1) year experience as Deckhand onboard vessels; passenger vessel experience preferred
- Valid Driver’s License
- Copy of DD214, if Veteran status
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Compensation based on licensing/credentials.
The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.
EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.
Position Summary:
The Deckhand monitors deck areas onboard the vessel(s) as well as passengers, to ensure safety during ferry operations, dockside and underway. The Deckhand handles lines and rigging to launch or dock the boat and performs custodial and/or general maintenance tasks as directed. The Deckhand provides a high level of customer service to all guests.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Monitor passenger & crewmember safety issues on the vessel. Ensure that safety equipment is utilized and appropriate guidelines are followed for all tasks involving physical risk or hazardous materials.
- Participate in meetings, training, drills, and safety audits as required by USCG & company policy.
- Develop an understanding of all phases of shipboard safety procedures and knowledge of the location and use of all firefighting and safety equipment (i.e., fire extinguishers, fire stations, life preservers, work vest, life floats, and rescue boat).
- Handle and dispose of all chemicals and other types of hazardous or caustic materials in compliance with Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), as required.
- Report safety-related concerns.
- Handle mooring lines to dock or undock the vessel.
- Responsible for getting underway, mooring, anchoring, handling lines, and bridge operations in all weather conditions.
- Sell tickets and concessions, responsible for ticketing equipment, inventory, and cash.
- Provide refreshments including alcoholic beverages at times, to guests.
- Perform lookout duties while underway, including watching for other vessels and monitoring the waterway for potentially unsafe conditions.
- Assist in boarding and disembarking of passengers and vehicles.
- Assist with filling potable water, bunkering fuel, connecting, and disconnecting shore power as directed.
- Perform cleaning and custodial tasks of the vessels and property, including maintenance and construction tasks as assigned and minor engineering repairs and rounds as directed.
- Assist with training of crew as directed.
- Comply with rules and regulations contained in the crew handbook and as directed by supervisor.
- Understand and comply with the Safety Management System (SMS).
- Understand and comply with Ship Instructions (SIs).
- Maintain Crew Qualification binder.
- Collaborate with other HMS personnel to remain attentive to regulatory requirements and alert to regulatory changes.
- Assist the Master in ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations.
- Assist the Master in ensuring the vessel is in an inspection-ready condition at all times.
- Present professional level of customer service and appearance to all clients and at all times, both internal and external.
- Responsible for handling money and balancing deposits/money bags.
- Report safety, operational, and environmental issues to the vessel master.
- Additional job duties as assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- HS Diploma or equivalent
- Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card), and/or ability to obtain and maintain
- Valid First Aid/CPR Certification, and/or ability to obtain and maintain
- Obtain and maintain certification for alcohol service after training completion
- Excellent customer service skills
- Ability to effectively interact with the passengers, guests, and fellow employees
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment
- Basic computer skills with Microsoft Office familiarity
- Minimum six (6) months customer service experience preferred
- Previous marine experience or watch standing experience preferred
- One (1) year experience as Deckhand onboard vessels; passenger vessel experience preferred
- Valid Driver’s License
- Copy of DD214, if Veteran status
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Compensation based on licensing/credentials.
The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.
EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.
See All 8 Deckhand Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Deckhand JobsDeckhand Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Deckhand Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Hornblower8
Top Industries Hiring
- Transportation & Logistics8
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in deckhand jobs across California.
- USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with appropriate rating endorsed for California waters
- Valid STCW Basic Safety Training certification recognized for commercial vessel operations
- Current CPR and first aid certification required by most California maritime employers
- Ability to pass a pre-employment physical including drug and alcohol screening
- Prior experience working aboard commercial, charter, or passenger vessels in any capacity
- Familiarity with line handling, anchoring, mooring, and basic deck maintenance procedures
Deckhand Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a deckhand in California?
You become a deckhand in California by obtaining a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential, which is the federal requirement for paid crew work on inspected vessels operating in California waters. Most employers require at least an Ordinary Seaman or entry-level rating endorsed on the MMC. You apply through the National Maritime Center, complete STCW Basic Safety Training, pass a physical and drug screening, and then apply to operators running ferries, fishing vessels, harbor craft, or tour boats along the California coast.
Which companies hire deckhands in California?
Employers hiring deckhands in California right now include Hornblower, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's mix of commercial ferry routes, charter fishing fleets, harbor tug operations, and offshore support vessels means consistent openings across the state's major port cities.
Which California cities have the most deckhand jobs?
The California cities with the most deckhand openings are Marina del Rey, Newport Beach, and Sacramento. San Francisco and Los Angeles generate the largest volume of listings because of their major ferry systems, commercial harbor operations, and passenger vessel fleets, while San Diego's active sportfishing industry, Navy support contractors, and harbor tour operators drive steady demand in the south.
Are there remote deckhand jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Deckhand work is inherently hands-on and vessel-based, so the vast majority of positions require physical presence aboard a boat. About 0% of deckhand openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to be coordination or dispatch roles loosely connected to deckhand titles rather than traditional on-water crew positions.
How can I get hired as a deckhand in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a deckhand trainee or general crew position with California passenger vessel and ferry operators, who regularly bring on candidates with no prior maritime experience and train them in line handling, safety procedures, and vessel operations on the job. Operators like the Golden Gate Ferry and harbor tour companies in San Diego and Los Angeles hire entry-level crew seasonally. Earning your USCG MMC at the Ordinary Seaman level before applying gives you a clear edge over candidates who have not started the credentialing process, and completing STCW Basic Safety Training demonstrates readiness to any California employer.
Where can I find and apply to deckhand jobs in California?
You can find and apply to deckhand jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring. Find the roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 8 Deckhand Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Deckhand Jobs