First Mate Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
First Mate positions offer strong visa sponsorship opportunities on commercial vessels, cruise ships, and offshore operations. Most require a bachelor's degree in maritime studies, marine engineering, or related field plus Coast Guard licensing. Employers value international maritime experience and specialized certifications for H-1B and other work visa petitions. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsHornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.
Position Summary
The First Mate assists the Captain to safely moor, operate, and maintain company vessels. The First Mate assists passengers in loading and off-loading safely. The First Mate assists in all aspects of vessel operations and maintenance as directed by Captain.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Stand bridge watch and assist in the safe navigating and maneuvering of the vessel.
- Take command if captain becomes incapacitated.
- Clean and maintain vessel.
- Assign deck crew tasks and provide direction.
- Supervise and perform routine shipboard maintenance as required.
- Solve problems that come up.
- Ability to run all onboard drills.
- Strong focus on customer service.
- Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas including but not limited to: Gangways, Pier Facilities, Ramps, Barges, and the entire vessel. Ability to sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
- Load or unload materials from vessels & Handle lines to moor vessel to pier.
- Vessel maintenance including, but not limited to aesthetics, plumbing, electrical, water (potable, raw, black, and gray) fire suppression, communications, and navigation systems.
- Stand look-out watch on bow, stern, or bridge wings to look for obstructions in ship's path or to locate navigational aids such as buoys.
- Operate and maintain ship equipment such as engines and generators, HVAC systems and bridge equipment.
- Willing to be involved in shipyard periods.
- Additional job duties as assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Must be able to lift furniture and other heavy items such as provisions up and down stairs.
- Transport Workers identification Credential or TWIC.
- CPR/First Aid Certificate.
- Strong focus on safety and teamwork.
- Strong customer service, organization, and interpersonal skills.
- Maintain a high level of organization, detail oriented and meet deadlines.
- Handle multiple tasks/projects at one time.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by job responsibility.
- Listen effectively, assess the situation, determine relevant issues, & suggest solutions.
- Have a working knowledge of computer skills, including but not limited to proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.
- Must be able to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information to coworkers and guests.
- Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
- Will be required to be available for work nights, weekends and on all major holidays.
CityCruisesUS
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.
Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems. Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.
Position Summary
The First Mate assists the Captain to safely moor, operate, and maintain company vessels. The First Mate assists passengers in loading and off-loading safely. The First Mate assists in all aspects of vessel operations and maintenance as directed by Captain.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Stand bridge watch and assist in the safe navigating and maneuvering of the vessel.
- Take command if captain becomes incapacitated.
- Clean and maintain vessel.
- Assign deck crew tasks and provide direction.
- Supervise and perform routine shipboard maintenance as required.
- Solve problems that come up.
- Ability to run all onboard drills.
- Strong focus on customer service.
- Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas including but not limited to: Gangways, Pier Facilities, Ramps, Barges, and the entire vessel. Ability to sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
- Load or unload materials from vessels & Handle lines to moor vessel to pier.
- Vessel maintenance including, but not limited to aesthetics, plumbing, electrical, water (potable, raw, black, and gray) fire suppression, communications, and navigation systems.
- Stand look-out watch on bow, stern, or bridge wings to look for obstructions in ship's path or to locate navigational aids such as buoys.
- Operate and maintain ship equipment such as engines and generators, HVAC systems and bridge equipment.
- Willing to be involved in shipyard periods.
- Additional job duties as assigned.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Must be able to lift furniture and other heavy items such as provisions up and down stairs.
- Transport Workers identification Credential or TWIC.
- CPR/First Aid Certificate.
- Strong focus on safety and teamwork.
- Strong customer service, organization, and interpersonal skills.
- Maintain a high level of organization, detail oriented and meet deadlines.
- Handle multiple tasks/projects at one time.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by job responsibility.
- Listen effectively, assess the situation, determine relevant issues, & suggest solutions.
- Have a working knowledge of computer skills, including but not limited to proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.
- Must be able to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information to coworkers and guests.
- Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
- Will be required to be available for work nights, weekends and on all major holidays.
CityCruisesUS
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.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in First Mate
Highlight Coast Guard credentials
Emphasize your USCG license, STCW certification, and any specialized endorsements. Maritime employers prioritize candidates with current U.S. Coast Guard documentation for visa sponsorship decisions.
Target offshore and cruise operators
Large cruise lines, offshore drilling companies, and international shipping firms regularly sponsor visas. They have established immigration processes and understand maritime visa requirements better than smaller operators.
Document specialized vessel experience
Detail experience with specific vessel types, cargo handling systems, or navigation equipment. Specialized knowledge of LNG carriers, container ships, or offshore platforms strengthens sponsorship cases significantly.
Obtain relevant maritime degree
Maritime academies, marine engineering, or nautical science degrees align perfectly with First Mate duties. Alternative degrees in engineering or transportation may require additional maritime coursework for visa purposes.
Pursue advanced safety certifications
HAZMAT, firefighting, medical care, and crisis management certifications demonstrate specialized skills. These credentials help justify the specialty occupation requirement for H-1B and other professional visa categories.
Apply during peak hiring seasons
Maritime companies typically hire First Mates during spring and summer months for increased shipping activity. Timing applications with seasonal demands improves both job prospects and sponsorship likelihood.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do First Mate positions qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, First Mate roles typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in maritime studies, marine engineering, or related field. The position's technical requirements for navigation, vessel operations, and safety management meet H-1B criteria. Employers must demonstrate the role requires specialized maritime knowledge.
What degree is required for First Mate visa sponsorship?
Most sponsors require a bachelor's degree from a maritime academy, marine engineering, nautical science, or related field. Some accept degrees in mechanical engineering, transportation, or logistics with additional maritime training. Coast Guard licensing and STCW certification are typically mandatory regardless of degree type.
Which visa types work best for First Mate positions?
H-1B is most common for specialty maritime roles. TN visa works for Canadian and Mexican citizens with qualifying degrees. L-1 applies for transfers within international shipping companies. O-1 is possible for masters with extraordinary maritime achievements or specialized vessel expertise.
How do Coast Guard license requirements affect visa applications?
USCG licensing strengthens visa petitions by demonstrating specialized qualifications. International mariners often need to convert foreign licenses or complete additional training. Some employers sponsor visas contingent on obtaining required Coast Guard credentials within specified timeframes after arrival.
What are approval rates for First Mate visa sponsorship?
Maritime roles generally see strong approval rates due to clear specialty occupation requirements and industry labor needs. Success depends heavily on proper degree-to-role alignment and Coast Guard licensing. Employers with established maritime visa programs typically achieve higher approval rates than newcomers to sponsorship.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored First Mate jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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