Deckhand

Lighthouse Excursions is a locally owned and operated tour company in Ketchikan, Alaska. We are looking for deckhands to join our team for our 2025 Alaska summer cruise ship season. As a small business, we all wear a lot of hats! Our work environment is collaborative, immersive, and fun. Our seasoned crew members can vouch: a work day with us out on the water flies by, and you never know what cool wildlife you might see on any given day. 

About You 

Our ideal candidate is self-driven, punctual, reliable, and the definition of a team player. While we don’t require experience in tourism or on boats to work as a deckhand with us, high-quality customer service skills, a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and an eagerness to learn new skills are a must. 

This position is well-suited to help you pursue a captain’s license. Many of our deckhands go on to further their career in the maritime field.

Responsibilities 

• Prep vessel for tour day;

• Greet guests on arrival to dock, assist with pre-tour photography, & safe boarding of the vessel;

• Proper line handling during vessel docking & undocking, including demonstrating proficiency with a cleat hitch & other knots as needed;

• Food & beverage service & prep while underway;

• Provide guests with guidance to spot wildlife and/or assist with photographs of key points of interest;

• Keep tour vessel supplies stocked & report any low inventory to Dockside Manager;

• Clean & tidy vessels daily;

• Maintain register, merchandise displays, & assist guests with on-board purchases;

• Completion of weekly/monthly special cleaning & maintenance projects as assigned;

• Passenger management, or other tasks as assigned by captain, in the event of an emergency;

• Participate in scheduled bi-monthly drills;

• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be comfortable working on a moving marine vessel and around a marine environment; 

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and some overtime;

• Must be dedicated to maintaining a kind, respectful, community-oriented work environment; 

• Must hold or be able to obtain a valid First Aid/CPR Card & Alaska Food Workers Card by the first day of work;

• Must participate in a pre-employment drug screening & random drug testing program throughout the season;

• Must be able to safely lift up to 75 lbs; 

• Must be committed to following federal, state, & local health & safety requirements per industry standards;

• Must be available for full participation in our Pre-Season Company Training;

• Must be able to work our full season (mid-April to mid-October) without interruption.

Housing

We provide subsidized company housing on a first-come, first-serve basis. Obtaining housing in a small town can be challenging, so we are happy to be the local connection to help facilitate a smooth housing experience. 

Additional Details

Hourly wage is DOE (+ tips), with a minimum starting wage of $16/hr. Average hours for this position are 35-40 hrs per week, with some overtime throughout the season. Daily work schedule is variable, including weekends and some holidays. A $1.50 per hour worked bonus is included upon fulfilling a season contract.

Eligible for 401K benefit after approximately one season of full-time employment.

About Ketchikan

We encourage all of our employees to get to know Ketchikan! We may be biased, but we think our home is one of the coolest places on the planet. Located on a remote island in Southeast Alaska, Ketchikan provides an unending supply of opportunities for outdoor adventures, both on land and sea. With a wild seascape out one door, and a mountainous rainforest out the other, you won't ever be short for a chance to connect with nature. As a fishing town, with deep roots in the commercial fishing industry, you'd also be hard pressed not to find a fishing pole in your hand, if that's something you've always dreamed about. We additionally boast a vibrant arts community, which is home to visual artists, musicians, writers, dancers, and actors. So if you're the artist type, you'll find any number of chances to witness (or participate in!) concerts, theater, dance, or other arts events.

Our largest economic driver is tourism. Ketchikan hosts a substantial population of seasonal employees during our summer months, which means working with us provides a great chance to connect with both new friends coming to Alaska for the first time or the locals who make this beautiful place their home year-round.