Marine Operations Manager

Pearl Expeditions | Remote with regular travel |~ $160,000 + superannuation

About Pearl Expeditions

Pearl Expeditions operates M.Y. Paspaley Pearl — a 50-metre boutique expedition vessel carrying 30 guests through Australia's Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, Eastern Indonesia, and Borneo. Part of the Paspaley Group and guided by the philosophy Small Footprints. Infinite Horizons., we are expanding our resources in the expedition cruise sector and are looking for the right people to contribute to our business success.

The Opportunity (About the Role)

A senior shore-based role for someone who understands the complexity of operating small expedition vessels across multi-jurisdictional, remote-destination environments. Reporting to the General Manager, you'll take ownership of the operational backbone of the business — vessel technical management, port logistics, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Owner’s representative working with our external technical management provider, serving as the primary shore-based point of contact for the vessel

• Manage port agency relationships

• Own our compliance framework; manage relationships with AMSA and Pacific maritime authorities across PNG, Indonesia, and Australia

• Assist with operational and voyage planning considering safety and regulatory compliance

 Skills and Experience

• Australian citizen or full long-term working rights in Australia

• 10+ years in marine operations, with expedition or small-ship experience strongly preferred

• Genuine working knowledge of our operating regions — PNG, Eastern Indonesia, and northern Australia

• Familiarity with AMSA frameworks and Pacific maritime jurisdictions

• Experience overseeing vessel technical management and port operations

• A calm, hands-on operator who leads through competence and takes genuine ownership

Why Join Us

You'll have real autonomy to shape how our operations develop, backed by an experienced leadership team and the resources of the Paspaley Group. It's a rare opportunity to help build something meaningful in the boutique expedition cruise sector.

To Apply

Send your CV and a cover letter addressing how your experience maps to the key responsibilities to **********@pearlexpeditions.com