Are you looking for a meaningful and adventurous job? Bluenose II is looking for Deckhands for the end of the 2026 season who are hardworking and have great people skills — no previous sailing experience required!
Description
The Deckhand's responsibilities include ship maintenance, steering and sail handling, standing watch, cleaning, and interacting with ship’s visitors and passengers.
Bluenose II is a Canadian icon and Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador. The ship travels around the Maritime provinces promoting the history of the Atlantic fishery and acting as a tourist destination to the ports she visits.
The season runs from April 1 to October 15. When in port, you will stand deck watches, engage with visitors, clean, and do maintenance as needed. While underway, you will take turns steering the ship, handle sail and keep watch on a 4-hours-on, 8-hours-off schedule. In most ports, the ship sails with passengers on 2-hour cruises twice per day (occasionally three times). You will be required to handle sail, steer, and interact with passengers on harbour cruises.
The sailing season finishes at the end of September and is followed by 2 weeks of down-rigging and winterizing.
To be successful as a Deckhand, you must be able to follow orders and obey all safety regulations. You must be hardworking and able to work long hours on irregular schedules. During the sailing season, most of your time will be spent interpreting the ship to the general public and participating in public harbour sails.
Please note that no sailing experience is required - all necessary safety courses and training will be provided prior to the sailing season.
Requirements
- Be 19 to 30 years of age during your first year as a Deckhand
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Work and live on board continuously starting on or about August 25th through on or about October 15th
- Be able to pass a Transport Canada Seafarers Medical
- Hold a valid Canadian passport that will not expire within the current year
- Must be able to live in close quarters for the season
- Be professional, respectful, and able to interact with passengers and crew from all backgrounds
Responsibilities
- Perform maintenance on Bluenose II including dealing with paints and other chemicals, heavy lifting, and working in dusty and dirty environments
- Sail handling
- Steering the ship under direction of officers
- Seamanship including knots, bends and splices as required
- Assist the Chief Cook as required on a rotational basis
- Assist the Chief Engineer as required
- Stand watch on a 4-hours-on – 8-hours-off basis at sea and as required in port
- Stand night watch on a rotational basis
- Participate as required in the ship’s security plan
- Participate in and pass specialized training as required under Transport Canada regulations for Bluenose II (Marine Basic First Aid, MED-DVS A2)
- Continuously promote Bluenose II and what it stands for as well as promote Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and Canada
- Engage with the public and answer any and all questions that visitors may have relating to the Bluenose II
- Participate in duties, drills and sail handling on a regular basis
- Be prepared to participate in a physically demanding job in various weather conditions
The ideal candidate is:
- Interested in working at sea
- Interested in working in the tourism industry
- Hardworking
- Enjoys interacting with the public
- Passionate about the history and legacy of Bluenose and Bluenose II
- A team player and enjoys working with people from all walks of life
- Is okay with working long and irregular hours
- Has a taste for adventure and travel
This is a paid position. Room and board are provided on ship during the season.
To apply, submit your application, resume, and cover letter by July 28, 2026, no later than 4:00pm AST. Click here to be directed to the application form.
Job Types: Full-time, Seasonal
Salary: $775.00 per week
For other employment opportunities (retail sales, Bluenose II Company Store), submit your resume to [email protected]
Pay: $775.00 per week
Work Location: In person
