Marine Operations | Youth Development | Sail Training
About the role
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.
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 develop people.
We create an environment where trainees gain confidence, volunteers build capability, emerging leaders take responsibility, and people leave the ship stronger than when they came onboard.
You will model qualified conduct, sound judgement, accountability and respect, and help people safely challenge themselves, learn and contribute.
The prospect
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 operational responsibilities, supervise and develop crew and volunteers, and support the safe delivery of voyages and the youth development program.
Across both capacities, you will provide leadership and mentoring, contribute to continuity of command and develop the capability of officers, crew, volunteers, Watch Leaders and trainees.
You must maintain clear maritime authority while remaining approachable, constructive and engaged.
Youth development and people leadership are central to this role
Leeuwin voyages 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;
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;
support trainees to participate in sailing, seamanship, watches and shipboard life;
explain, teach, coach and mentor rather than simply direct;
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;
work constructively with voyage and program personnel to support youth development outcomes;
maintain appropriate skilled boundaries at all times; and
ensure that operational pressure never compromises appropriate conduct, child safety or the wellbeing of those onboard.
We want someone who genuinely enjoys developing others and understands that command also means building relationships, earning trust 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;
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
Our senior officers 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;
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 professional boundaries with young people;
address poor behaviour or unsafe practices when they arise;
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 aboard a complex sail training vessel, including:
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

📌 Master / Mate (Western Australia)
🏢 Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation
📍 Western Australia