deckhand: JUNE - october
FRANCES currently has open application for the work of deckhand in 2025. Experience on the water and sailing is highly encouraged. Translatable skills to sailing (rock climbing, rope handling, working at height, wilderness experience) may also make you an excellent candidate. I am looking for hard working, keen to learn individuals, who want experience aboard a traditionally rigged charter vessel.
The position entails a 4 to 5 day work week, working days starting as early as 12pm, ending around 9pm. FRANCES is run by a licensed captain and a crew of 3 deckhand. Starting wage for the position is $17/hr. Tip income is also accepted and split evenly amongst captain and crew. Off boat housing will be required.
Requirements to work aboard FRANCES are as follows:
-Enrollment in a random drug-testing program. Pre-placement drug test must be completed ahead of sailing season, or in the first week of having you onboard. One must remain drug free through their employment, we are subject to random drug testing June thu October.
-One must be at and maintain a level of fitness that allows for raising and lowering of sail, moving about on cabin houses, working out on our head rig to pull sail in, and working aloft to set our topsail.
-One must be current with First Aid and CPR. Qualifying courses for this are offered online through the American Red Cross.
FRANCES is a 74’ traditional steel gaff cutter that operates her summer season in Portland, Maine. We maintain a berth in the downtown historic waterfront part of our city. In the winter months Frances gets maintained by myself and some talented friends.
The story of this boat is long, thoughtful, and if you come to work for us this season you will get to know it. FRANCES was built nearly 2 decades ago by a small team of boatbuilders (myself included) and has been available for day sailing and charter for 16 years. The business has remained small, centrally focussed on maintaining FRANCES to a high standard. For almost all of these 16 years I have captained her and have kept a select small crew. I appreciate most in this work the building and keeping of a crew that can be as equally prideful as I am in the vessel and how we sail her.
The schedule the boat keeps is conservative by most day charter schedule, we sail 5 out of 7 days a week, hosting generally 2 high standard trips per day. We are primarily a charter vessel, hosting wine education trips as well as private event such as wedding and birthday celebration. The work of deckhand is impart a service job, and engaging with guests, helping with food and drink, is part of the work. Good fits for crew are those who naturally enjoy people, hosting them, and sharing our boat and bay with them.
If this piques your interest, feel welcome to apply using the form to the right or by emailing Megan directly at
thefrancesproject@gmail.com
Application for employment below.