Marquette Transportation Company

Ray Eckstein founded what is now the River Division of Marquette Transportation Company, LLC in 1978. Throughout the years we joined forces with two other family-owned businesses, Eckstein Marine Services and HLC Tugs, to add our Gulf-Inland and Offshore divisions, respectively. Each of our divisions has grown over the years, surviving grain embargoes, fluctuating fuel costs, and other challenges that led us to adapt, innovate, and prosper. 

Marquette has three operations, with a strategic mix of vessels powered with the latest marine technology and equipment to ensure safe, reliable, on-time service. Founded in 1978, our River unit now offers a fleet of more than 50 line haul vessels and 800+ dry cargo barges. In 2007, we added our Gulf-Inland unit (formerly Eckstein Marine) and our Offshore unit (formerly HLC Tugs) to create a seamless transportation experience for our customers.

We are currently seeking qualified deckhands to join our River, Gulf-inland, and Offshore divisions.

Deckhand

Reports to: Captain
Division: All
Location: All

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Build and check tow by utilizing various tools/equipment to include but not limited to wrenches, ratchets, shackles, chain straps and wires/cables.
2. Move and stack sets of rigging throughout the vessel and barges.
3. Move pumps and hoses about the barges and place hoses in wing tank/void for removal of water.
4. Assist with the stocking and delivery of various supplies from on the vessel to and from the front hole.
5. Complete skiff operations to allow the crew to go ashore and come aboard the vessel.
6. Put out sounders at the head of the barge (river division).
7. Complete processes to allow the vessel to take on fuel (inland division).
8. Complete daily and periodic cleaning tasks to include but not limited to trash removal, mopping, scraping, sanding and painting.

Physical Demands of Job:

Standing/Walking/Standing:  (Constant) Complete various duties such as building/checking tow, transporting pumps, moving/stacking rigging, complete daily/periodic cleaning and maintenance tasks.
  
Lifting/Carrying/Pushing Pulling:  (Frequent) Lift wrenches and cables weighing up to 70 pounds from a ground/floor height to a height of 60 for distances of up to 200 feet inches throughout the vessel and barges. Also to generate push and pull forces of ³140 pounds to build tow by utilizing wrenches, ratchets and cables.
  
Forward Bending:  (Frequent) Attain/maintain a forward flexed position of up to 60 degrees to complete various duties such as building/checking tow, transporting pumps, moving/stacking rigging, complete daily/periodic cleaning and maintenance tasks.
 
Trunk Rotation: (Frequent) Rotate their trunk/torso left-right to complete various duties such as building/checking tow, transporting pumps, moving/stacking rigging, complete daily/periodic cleaning and maintenance tasks.
 
Reaching:  (Frequent) Forward reach to a shoulder level height of between 48-60 inches to complete various duties such as building/checking tow, transporting pumps, moving/stacking rigging, complete daily/periodic cleaning and maintenance tasks.
 
Manipulating/Handling/Gripping:  (Frequent) Gripping, pinching and manipulation of various parts and pieces of equipment utilized for the performance of essential job functions.  A grip force of ≥ 90 pounds is necessary for the completion of tasks.
 
Climbing/Kneeling/Crouching/Squatting:  (Frequent) Climb, crouch, crawl, kneel and squat on steps and various surface levels to complete various duties such as building/checking tow, transporting pumps, moving/stacking rigging, complete daily/periodic cleaning and maintenance tasks.
  
Postural Balancing: (Constant) Deckhand must be able to maintain both static and dynamic standing balance to complete various duties associated with essential job functions requiring standing, walking and climbing.

Work Level:

Very Heavy Work (Level 5) as defined by the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
 

Significant Worksite Measurements:

Tools: weighing up to 70 pounds.

Materials/Equipment: weighing up to 70 pounds.

Steps/Ladders:   7-12 inch step/rung heights

Tools/Equipment Used to Perform Job:

Wrenches, sledgehammers, ratchets, shackles, cheater bars, wire/cables, hand tools and pumps. 

Shift Information

Deckhand works on the vessel/barge for a 12-hour shift for up to a 28-day period. 

Qualifications:

1. Must be 18 or older to board a vessel.
2. Must be able to meet all physical qualifications per company guidelines.
3. Must have Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) or be able to attain it.
4. Must be able to speak, read and write in the English language per USCG regulations.
5. Must be able to be away for extended periods of time as schedules are generally 28 days away and 14 days home.