Master / Mate – STS Leeuwin II

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation
Fremantle, Western Australia
Marine Operations | Youth Development | Sail Training

About the role

The Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation is seeking an experienced and highly professional Master / Mate to join the marine team aboard STS Leeuwin II.

This is a dual-capacity position, with the successful candidate appointed as either Master or Mate for individual voyages and operational periods according to qualifications, the approved roster and the needs of the Foundation.

While strong maritime capability is essential, this is not simply a vessel command or watchkeeping role.

STS Leeuwin II exists to deliver youth development through challenge, adventure and participation at sea. Our crew work directly alongside young people, volunteers, trainees and community members, often in demanding and unfamiliar environments. The way our officers lead, communicate, teach, mentor and build relationships is therefore just as important as their technical competence.

At Leeuwin, we are in the business of developing people.

That means creating an environment where trainees gain confidence, volunteers grow in capability, emerging leaders are given responsibility, and people leave the ship stronger than when they came onboard.

We are looking for someone who understands that every interaction onboard matters.

You will be expected to model professional conduct, sound judgement, accountability and respect; establish clear standards for those around you; and help create an onboard environment where young people, volunteers and trainees can safely challenge themselves, learn, contribute and develop.

The opportunity

As Master, you will hold command of STS Leeuwin II and overall responsibility for the safe, compliant and effective operation of the vessel and the safety and wellbeing of everyone onboard.

As Mate, you will report to the appointed Master, undertake senior watchkeeping and vessel operational responsibilities, supervise and develop crew and volunteers, and play a significant role in the safe delivery of the voyage and youth development programme.

Across both capacities, you will also provide experienced leadership and mentoring within the team, contribute to continuity of command and help develop the capability of officers, crew, volunteers, Watch Leaders and trainees.

This role requires someone who can maintain clear maritime authority while remaining approachable, constructive and actively engaged with the people around them.

Just as importantly, you will help foster the relationships that make Leeuwin work: strong relationships between crew and volunteers, between officers and trainees, between ship and shore, and across the wider Leeuwin community.

Youth development and people leadership are central to this role

Leeuwin voyages are designed to develop young people through participation, responsibility, teamwork and challenge.

The Master / Mate plays a critical part in making that possible.

You will work closely with young people, volunteers and trainees throughout voyages and operational activities and will be expected to:

- be a strong and consistent professional role model;

- demonstrate calm, respectful and accountable leadership;

- actively build positive and professional relationships with trainees, volunteers and crew;

- engage constructively with people from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, experiences and abilities;

- help volunteers and trainees feel valued, included and appropriately challenged;

- encourage people to step up, take responsibility and develop their capability;

- identify potential in others and create opportunities for them to grow;

- support trainees to participate in sailing, seamanship, watches and shipboard life;

- explain, teach, coach and mentor rather than simply direct;

- provide constructive feedback and recognise progress;

- build trust while maintaining clear professional boundaries;

- foster a culture where people are comfortable asking questions, seeking help and raising concerns;

- support Watch Leaders,



volunteers and emerging officers to develop confidence and leadership capability;

- establish clear expectations around behaviour, safety, teamwork and respect;

- recognise the influence that senior shipboard personnel have on the culture onboard;

- work constructively with voyage and programme personnel to support youth development outcomes;

- maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times; and

- ensure that operational pressure never compromises appropriate conduct, child safety or the wellbeing of those onboard.

We are particularly interested in candidates who genuinely enjoy working with people and developing others.

This is a role for someone who understands that command is not only about directing a vessel. It is also about building relationships, earning trust, creating confidence in others and setting the standard for how people treat one another onboard.

Key responsibilities

Depending on your appointment as Master or Mate, responsibilities will include:

- commanding or supporting the command of STS Leeuwin II;

- ensuring compliance with applicable maritime legislation, Marine Orders, AMSA requirements, the NSCV and the vessel's operating limitations;

- implementing and continuously improving the vessel's Safety Management System;

- passage planning, navigation, watchkeeping and weather monitoring;

- maintaining vessel readiness, seaworthiness and appropriate crewing;

- supervising sailing, seamanship, climbing, mooring, anchoring, small-boat and shore-based operations;

- managing operational risks, emergency preparedness, fatigue and safety-critical activities;

- leading and developing crew, Watch Leaders, volunteers and trainees;

- building strong working relationships across the onboard team;

- delivering safety, seamanship and technical instruction;

- mentoring less-experienced crew, volunteers and emerging leaders;

- supporting planned maintenance, defect management and vessel preparation;

- maintaining accurate navigation, safety, operational and maintenance records;

- managing incidents, hazards and near misses appropriately;

- supporting effective communication between the vessel and shore-based team; and

- contributing to voyage planning, workforce planning, maintenance planning and continuous operational improvement.

Leadership and professional conduct

We expect our senior officers to set the benchmark onboard.

The successful candidate will:

- lead by example rather than by position alone;

- communicate clearly and respectfully under pressure;

- exercise authority confidently without creating an unnecessarily authoritarian environment;

- invest time in building relationships with crew, volunteers and trainees;

- understand that effective leadership requires listening as well as directing;

- recognise that volunteers bring different experience, confidence and motivations, and lead them accordingly;

- maintain strong qualified boundaries with young people;

- address poor behaviour or unsafe practices when they arise;

- support other officers and crew to develop their capability;

- give people opportunities to learn, contribute and take appropriate responsibility;

- encourage concerns to be raised and dealt with constructively;

- contribute to a culture of learning rather than blame;

- understand the difference between command accountability and collaborative leadership; and

- demonstrate conduct consistent with the Foundation's values of Safety, Integrity, Commitment and Initiative.

What we are looking for

You will bring substantial maritime experience and the judgement required to operate in a senior position aboard a complex sail training vessel.

Ideally, you will have:





- an appropriate Australian maritime qualification, or equivalent qualification eligible for recognition by AMSA, enabling you to serve in the required Master and/or Mate capacity (Master <100m minimum);

- demonstrated command, senior deck officer or substantial watchkeeping experience;

- strong knowledge of commercial vessel operations, navigation, safety management and maritime compliance;

- demonstrated experience leading and developing crew;

- solid relationship-building and interpersonal skills;

- confidence working with volunteers, trainees and people with varying levels of experience;

- the ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in demanding operational situations;

- strong communication skills and the ability to adapt your leadership style to different people and situations;

- a practical and collaborative approach to vessel operations;

- experience training, mentoring or supervising others;

- a genuine willingness to work closely with young people and volunteers;

- an interest in developing capability in others, not simply completing the operational task; and

- high personal standards of professional behaviour and accountability.

Experience in sail training, square-rigged vessels, youth development, outdoor education, training environments, mentoring or working with volunteers would be highly regarded.

Child safety

The Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

This position involves substantial interaction with young people and is therefore considered a position of significant responsibility and trust.

Appointment will be subject to the Foundation's recruitment and child-safety screening requirements, including relevant background checks and a valid Working with Children Check where required.

Successful applicants will be expected to understand and comply with the Foundation's Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Code of Conduct and professional-boundary requirements.

About STS Leeuwin II

STS Leeuwin II is Western Australia's sail training ship and the operational platform through which the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation delivers its youth development programmes.

Life onboard is highly participative. Young people do not simply travel as passengers; they become part of the ship's community, participating in watches, sailing the vessel, climbing the rig, learning seamanship and working alongside crew and volunteers.

Volunteers are also fundamental to Leeuwin's operation and culture. Many develop their capability over time, take on greater responsibility and progress into leadership roles onboard.

The senior officers play an important role in making that possible.

For the right maritime professional, this provides an opportunity to combine senior vessel operations with something broader: using the workplace and discipline of a working ship to bring people up — developing confidence, responsibility, competence, leadership, teamwork and resilience in those around you.

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted through SEEK.

Please include your current resume and a cover letter outlining:

- your relevant maritime and command experience;

- the qualifications you currently hold;

- your experience leading, mentoring or developing others;

- your experience working with volunteers, trainees or young people; and

- importantly, why you believe your leadership style and professional conduct are suited to a youth development and sail training environment.

We are looking for more than someone who can safely operate and command the ship.

We are looking for a senior maritime professional who understands that the vessel, the programme and the people are inseparable — and that developing those around you is a fundamental part of the role.

If you would like to learn more about the role before applying, or would value a confidential discussion about the position, the Ship or what we are looking for in the successful candidate, please feel free to contact Max at ***@sailleeuwin.com or (08) 9430 4***. Applications close on 1 September 2026.

📌 Leeuwin II - Vessel Master / First Mate (Master <100m NC) (Fremantle)
🏢 Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation
📍 Fremantle