Designated Person Ashore (DPA) – Marine Asset Manager

San Diego, CA

The Designated Person Ashore (DPA) serves as the key link between shore-based management and vessel crews for a fleet of tugboats and barges. This role ensures full compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, the company Safety Management System (SMS), and all applicable U.S. Coast Guard, EPA, and state regulations. With a strong background in marine asset management, the DPA will oversee the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation and maintenance of the tug fleet while driving continuous improvement in safety, environmental performance, and asset reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety & Compliance (Core DPA Duties)

Act as the primary point of contact between the company and vessel personnel for all safety, pollution prevention, and SMS-related matters, with direct access to senior management.

Monitor and verify the effective implementation and maintenance of the company’s Safety Management System (SMS) across the entire tug fleet.

Conduct internal audits, inspections, and risk assessments; identify non-conformities and ensure timely corrective and preventive actions.

Oversee incident/near-miss reporting, investigations, and root-cause analysis; implement lessons learned across the fleet.

Ensure adequate resources (personnel, equipment, training) are provided for safe vessel operations.

Coordinate emergency response and crisis management, serving as the primary shoreside liaison during incidents.

Marine Asset Management

Manage the lifecycle of tugboat and barge assets, including maintenance planning, dry-docking schedules, repair oversight, and capital improvement projects.

Collaborate with maintenance teams to optimize vessel availability, reliability, and performance while controlling costs.

Track and analyze asset performance metrics (utilization, downtime, fuel efficiency, maintenance costs) and recommend improvements.

Support fleet renewal or expansion initiatives, including technical evaluations, budgeting, and regulatory compliance for newbuilds or acquisitions.

Ensure vessels remain in class and meet all statutory and classification society requirements.

Operations & Leadership

Provide operational and technical support to vessel Masters, Port Captains, and crew.

Develop and deliver safety training programs, drills, and competency assessments.

Liaise with regulatory bodies, classification societies, and clients on compliance and operational matters.

Prepare and maintain required documentation for Document of Compliance (DOC), Safety Management Certificates (SMC), and other certifications.

Promote a strong safety culture and continuous improvement across shore and vessel teams.

Qualifications & Requirements

Certification: Valid Designated Person Ashore (DPA) training certificate (ISM Code) or willingness to obtain immediately. USCG licensing (e.g., Master of Towing Vessels) strongly preferred.

Experience:

5–10+ years of progressive maritime experience, including significant time in tug/towing operations.

Demonstrated marine asset management experience (maintenance planning, budgeting, vessel lifecycle management).

Previous shoreside role as Port Captain, Marine Superintendent, or similar with DPA responsibilities.

Knowledge: Deep understanding of ISM Code, SMS, USCG regulations, OPA 90, environmental compliance, and towing industry best practices.

Skills: Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and auditing skills. Proficiency with fleet management software and Microsoft Office.

Other: Ability to travel to vessels and work on-call for emergencies. Valid TWIC card and driver’s license.

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