• Offshore Crew

    Let’s save lives together

    Seacrew

  • Offshore Crew

    Let’s save lives together

    Crew

Application as a crew member

Become part of our Offshore Crew!

For our new ship SEA-EYE 5, a 23.3 m rescue vessel based in Licata, Sicily, we are continuously looking for skilled and committed individuals to join our missions and support people in distress at sea. We seek team members from various professional fields and cultural backgrounds to build a strong and diverse crew.

Our highly challenging operations typically last around one month, including training, and require nautical and Search and Rescue (SAR) experience, as well as flexibility, teamwork, and resilience. Our eight crew members, consisting of both employed staff and volunteers, combine several roles each, and are expected to support each other in all tasks on board. Life on board can be physically and emotionally demanding—please consider this carefully before applying. Our onboard language is English.

Detailed descriptions and requirements for each position we are currently looking for can be found below. If you’re interested in one of them, please send your application stating the position, additional role(s) you could take on, a short CV, and your availabilities to . 

Further missions this year (subject to change):

SE52504: 07.07. – 03.08.2025

SE52505: 18.08. – 21.09.2025 (extended)

SE52506: 13.10. – 09.11.2025

SE52507: 24.11. – 21.12.2025

Please note that we can only respond to complete applications for the positions listed. Also, due to limited capacity and very specific role requirements, not every applicant can be accepted – we kindly ask for your understanding.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteer positions on board

The Head of Mission (HoM) leads all search and rescue operations on board Sea-Eye 5 and is responsible for the overall coordination of the mission and life on board. The HoM leads the 8 person crew during the different phases of the operation, from preparation and crew training to coordinating the rescue operation. They oversee daily routines, guide team communication, manage crisis situations, and serve as the primary link between the crew, the Sea-Eye back office, and relevant authorities.

The role requires significant leadership experience in SAR missions, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure. Key qualifications include experience in team management and conflict resolution. Familiarity with SAR procedures, basic nautical knowledge and radio communications are highly desirable. Candidates must be fluent in English (written and spoken), with additional languages like Italian, or French considered an asset. Physical and mental resilience, flexibility in working hours, and alignment with Sea-Eye’s values and protocols are essential for this demanding and central role.

The on-board Physician is responsible for handling all medical emergencies involving both rescued individuals and crew during the mission. This role requires a fully licensed doctor with at least 3 years of professional experience — ideally with completed specialist training in anesthesia, internal medicine, surgery, or general medicine. Recent experience in emergency or intensive care medicine is highly valued. Since the role includes active participation on deck during rescues, prior experience at sea and a high level of physical readiness are essential.

Key responsibilities include emergency care, crew medical training, managing the infirmary and ship’s pharmacy (including inventory and narcotics), and thorough medical documentation. The Physician works closely with the Medical Assistant as part of a two-person Medical Team, ensuring medical readiness and support throughout the entire mission.

To fill the position of the doctor, we closely cooperate with our partner organisation German Doctors e.V.. If you are interested in this position, please send your request with a short CV to . You can then register there and directly apply to participate in one of our missions.

The RHIB Lead organizes and leads RHIB operations. This includes organisation of maintenance of the RHIB and its equipement, facilitation of RHIB trainings, teambuilding, and a good overview and quick decision making during rescue operations. Applicants must have extensive SAR and RHIB experience, strong leadership skills, and can stay calm and decisive under pressure. Responsibilities also include RHIB maintenance, and stepping into other RHIB roles (Driver or Communicator) as needed. Fluency in English and a valid VHF radio license are required; additional languages are an asset. The role is most probably combined with Medical Assistance or Bridge Watchkeeping (see below for requirements).

As a RHIB Driver on the Sea-Eye 5, you are responsible for safely operating the rescue boat (RHIB) during operations. This position requires strong experience in handling RHIBs, including performing precise manoeuvres in rough sea conditions and high-pressure situations. The RHIB Driver is also responsible for the launch and recovery of the RHIB and for operating navigational equipment onboard. Candidates must have SAR experience, be fluent in English, and should hold a valid SBF-See or equivalent license. The role is most probably combined with Medical Assistance or Bridge Watchkeeping (see below for requirements).

The RHIB Communicator is the first point of contact with people in distress and plays a crucial role in building trust and maintaining order during rescue missions. This high-responsibility role requires excellent communication and crowd control skills, as well as the ability to stay calm and assertive under pressure. Key tasks include providing clear instructions through gestures and simple language, selecting mediators/translators, distributing life jackets, and coordinating safe embarkation. The role demands emotional resilience, physical strength, and fluency in English and French; knowledge of Arabic is a strong asset. The role is most probably combined with Medical Assistance or Bridge Watchkeeping (see below for requirements).

Additional roles on board

Physician and Medical Assistance together form the Medical Team onboard Sea-Eye 5, providing medical care to both rescued individuals and crew. The Medical Assistant is ideally a trained paramedic or intensive care nurse with SAR or maritime experience. The Medical Assistant helps maintaining medical infrastructure, leads crew trainings, and assists in medical assessments, treatments, and emergency care. Medical Assistant is not a separate position –  the role is usually assigned to a crew member of the RHIB team (see above for requirements of the individual positions).

The Bridge Watchkeeper supports the captain of Sea-Eye 5 in safe navigation and coordination of the vessel during the mission. This role requires prior experience as a certified watchkeeper on commercial vessels, yachts, or sailboats (e.g., Officer of the Watch (OOW), Yachtmaster Coastal, or equivalent). Key responsibilities include radar and ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) monitoring, and coordination with other assets. A solid understanding of COLREGs (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) and GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) is essential. Candidates must hold at least a Short Range VHF certificate and STCW Basic Safety to be ready to take on emergency duties as listed in the ship’s muster list. Bridge Watchkeeper is not a separate position – the role is usually assigned to a crew member of the RHIB team  (see above for requirements of the individual positions).

The Field Media Coordinator (FMC) on board is, in addition to their primary role, responsible for operating media hardware, creating photo and video content (DSLR camera, various lenses and GoPros available on the ship) as well as maintaining ongoing communication with our Communications Department on land. The FMC is not a separate position — the role is assigned to a specific crew member who already holds another position (see above for requirements). Confidence in using the gear on board is mandatory but no specific professional experience is required.

Although all crew members will be involved in post rescue tasks on deck, the Post Rescue Assistant specificly supports the Post-Rescue Lead in ensuring rescued persons receive essential care and information on board. This might include the support of the embarkation – and registration process, food and NFI (non-food items) distribution, supporting the setup of shelter, and assisting with protection activities. The responsibility involves hands-on coordination during and after rescue operations and includes taking over key tasks during the Post Rescue Lead’s rest hours. It requires strong organizational skills, knowledge in protection aspects, intercultural sensitivity, and the ability to stay focused under pressure. Fluency in French and/or knowledge in Arabic are strong assets. Post Rescue Assistance is not a separate position — the role is assigned to a specific crew member who already holds another position (see above for requirements).

Let’s save lives from land

Get active in our local groups

Those who would still like to be involved in sea rescue can join our local groups. Our local groups are represented throughout Germany and beyond and are always happy to welcome new, committed members. Our onshore crew supports Sea-Eye’s rescue missions in a creative way, taking our demands to the streets and informing about the situation at the external borders of the European Union.

Go to the local groups
Demonstration in Berlin © Sophie Seydel

The rescue missions

The rescue missions are carried out by qualified and motivated crew members. Our international task force is made up of 25 people with very different skills. The missions are generally scheduled for four weeks. Since spots in our crew are limited, unfortunately we cannot guarantee a claim to a specific position at any point.

Our task forces consist of volunteering crew members (search and rescue crew) and professional sailors (maritime crew).

Descriptions of the positions on board

All positions m/f/d.

Search and rescue crew

You are adoptable and resilient, enjoy cooking and bring improvisational and organizational skills. The two cooks will prepare two hot meals daily for the crew of 25, do menu planning, monitoring and rationing of supplies. Experience in the preparation of vegetarian and vegan food is required, as well as experience in cooking for several people over a longer period of time.

You will also be scheduled for SAR-watch and during a rescue you will assist in the registration and first care of the rescued people. After a rescue it is the task of the cooks to cook hot meals for the rescued people and the crew twice a day. You will be actively supported by the crew in preparing and serving the meals. A good knowledge of English and proof of hygiene training (can be acquired at short notice and at a reasonable price) are required.

As a cook, you should be available a few days before and/or after the mission to cook on board between two missions to ensure a good handover and familiarization.

The medical team on board consists of the doctor, the nurse and the paramedic. It is your responsibility to care for all medical emergencies of the crew and the guests.

During a rescue, you are in close contact with the deck manager and the head of mission. You ensure order in the infirmary, are responsible for the completeness of the ship’s pharmacy, maintain the inventory and inventory lists and are responsible for handling the narcotics. Emergencies and treatment of everyone must be logged and documented accordingly.

Prerequisite for the position is a license to practice medicine, at least 3 years of professional experience and ideally specialist training in anesthesia, surgery, emergency medicine, trauma surgery or a comparable field. Good English language skills are important, as is handling hardware and software for documentation.

Your application: To fill the position of the doctor, we closely cooperate with our partner organisation German Doctors e.V.. If you are interested in this position, please send your request with a short CV to . You can then register there and directly apply to participate in one of our missions.

You have already led missions in a leading or deputy position with Sea-Eye or have worked for other civil sea rescue organizations or for humanitarian NGOs before.

You train the entire team on the way to the operational SAR area and coordinate the SAR operations during a rescue. Standardized operating procedures (SOPs) are available for this. You are in direct radio contact with the RHIB leader and deck manager and work closely with the captain. The captain is authorized to issue instructions to you regarding all questions of the ship’s command and general or special matters of safety.

Concerning strategic questions, you consult the operational support on land or the board. Your tasks include the creation and review of operational reports and protocols, as well as the organization of the routine work of the operational team on board. With your willingness to participate in everyday ship life, you demonstrate good teamwork skills. You hold and lead the daily briefings and familiarize the team with the current political situation and the principles of civil sea rescue.

You have good to very good computer knowledge and are fluent in written and spoken English, and ideally another European language (e.g. Spanish, Italian, French).

As Field Media Coordinator 1 (FMC1), you are our gateway for the public. You monitor and operate the media hardware and ensure that it runs smoothly at all times. Daily reports are created by collecting, viewing and sorting photo, video and text material in a timely and up-to-date manner.

You are in contact with our press office. With very good knowledge in dealing with image and text processing software, you are responsible for a complete and comprehensive documentation of our rescue mission. The head of mission provides you with further materials and information.

Before the start of the mission, you will be extensively prepared for the mission by our press department and will be responsible for instructing the crew on board about how to correctly deal with media and social networks. Your English is fluent, both spoken and written, and ideally you also have experience with humanitarian operations on water or land.

In the Field Media Coordinator 2 position (FMC2), the requirements and areas of responsibility regarding media and press relations are basically the same as for the FMC1 position. Appropriate photo and video skills including image and text editing software skills are required accordingly. If the situation on board allows it, as FMC2 you are additionally assigned to capture testimonials of rescued people.

We specifically want to give a platform to the rescued people themselves and give them the opportunity to share their stories through our channels. We want to show: it’s not about numbers, but about people and their personal fates. Accordingly, you are in close contact with the rescued people. Experience in dealing with people in acute stress situations and/or in humanitarian work is an advantage for this, as is some French and, if you have any, Arabic language skills.

Just like the FMC1 position, you will be fully prepared by our press department and will be in direct contact with our press office during the mission.

As nurse you should have training in a nursing profession and at least three years of active work experience. We especially welcome individuals with experience in critical care, pediatric nursing, and obstetrics. Together with the doctor and the paramedic you will form the medical team on board and will be responsible for medical emergencies in routine and rescue operations. In addition, you are jointly responsible for the medical documentation of the entire mission.

You are used to working in a team, can grasp things quickly and work efficiently even in stressful situations. Good knowledge of English is required, knowledge of French and/or Arabic is an advantage.

As paramedic you should have training as an EMT/Paramedic and at least three years of active work experience. Together with the doctor and the nurse you will form the medical team on board and will be responsible for medical emergencies in routine and rescue operations. In addition, you are jointly responsible for the medical documentation of the entire mission.

You are used to working in a team, can grasp things quickly and work efficiently even in stressful situations. Good knowledge of English is required, knowledge of French and/or Arabic is an advantage.

You have already participated in one or more sea rescue missions with Sea-Eye or another NGO and have experience working with refugees and vulnerable people in other contexts.

In cooperation with the deck manager and the on-board logistician you will be responsible for coordinating the provision of water, food, clothing and sleeping places for the rescued people, and enforce basic rules. You will organise the daily routine and activities for rescued people on deck, keeping a special eye on vulnerable groups in cooperation with the medical team. You are responsible for communicating with the rescued people until they are disembarked, working closely with the Head of Mission.

You have very good organisational and coordination skills and experience in leading teams. You are able to maintain an overview even in stressful situations and can have a verbal and non-verbal calming effect.  You speak fluent English, conversational French and if possible Arabic.

You have experience working with refugees and vulnerable people in the context of civil sea rescue or other contexts.

You will support the Post Rescue Coordinator (PRC) in the registration of the rescued people and the coordination of the provision of water, food, clothing and sleeping places for the rescued people, as well as enforce basic rules. You will help implement daily routines and activities for rescued people on deck, keeping a special eye on vulnerable groups in cooperation with the medical team.

You have good organisational and coordination skills and possibly a background in social work, psychology or trauma relief. You are able to maintain an overview even in stressful situations and can have a verbal and non-verbal calming effect. You speak fluent English, conversational French and if possible Arabic.

As PSS you will be part of the PRT Team to support with the normal workload. In addition, you represent a contact point for guests on board, offering psychosocial support especially to the most vulnerable people on board. You also take a focus on raising awareness and supporting the crew with regard to their own mental health (e.g. through psychoeducation, units on coping and resilience, etc.) and can be available as a direct contact person for the crew as well.

You have a psychological or social background and experience working with refugees and vulnerable people in other contexts. Ideally, you have participated in sea rescue missions before. You speak fluent English, conversational French and if possible Arabic.

As a RHIB communicator, you are the first to make contact with the people on the boat in distress. You are sitting at the bow of one of our RHIB and appoint one person among the people in distress to be the mediator/translator. Quiet gestures, clear and short sentences and instructions with constant eye contact will ensure safety and reassurance, so as to keep everything calm and controlled for the life jackets to be handed over.

Good English and French language skills are required, basic Arabic language skills or/and other languages are desirable.
Experiences on small boats and/or mission experiences are necessary.

You will steer one of the emergency boats responsibly. To do this, you need to think and act quickly- also in very stressful situations, should maneuver carefully, and be able to work well in a team. You are also responsible for the maintenance and taking care of the RHIB and are actively supported by the machinist.

The tasks of a rescue boat after craning include taking the life jackets and handing them over to the people in distress. Sometimes people have to be rescued from sea or injured people have to be transported.

You speak English well. A prerequisite for your participation is possession of a valid certificate of proficiency, for example the SBF See or an equivalent, internationally recognized certificate. You hold a VHF radio certificate (SRC or LRC or comparable certificates).

You have already participated in one or more missions in a leading position and have a lot of experience in rescue operations at sea and/ or on land.

As a RHIB leader, you should be very assertive and but also be able to work well in a team and you must be able to carry out a triage. You should be able to take emergency measures in the smallest of spaces and be in constant radio contact with the head of mission and the deck manager. You are authorized to give instructions to the RHIB driver and RHIB communicator.

You speak English fluently. You have a VHF radio certificate (SRC or LRC or comparable certificates).

Maritime crew

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention: III/3, VI/2, VI/3

Valid medical certificate for seafarers.

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention: II/2, IV/2, VI/2, VI/3.

Valid medical certificate for seafarers.

Experience as an electrician on land, and Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention  A-VI/1, A-VI/6-1 with valid Medical Certificate for sea service

OR

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention III/7 or III/6, &  A-VI/6-1,&  A-VI/6-2 (issued within the last 5years)

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention: III/1, VI/2, VI/3  OR  III/7, VI/1

Valid medical certificate for seafarers.

EU/EEA national

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention: II/2, IV/2, VI/2, VI/3.

Valid medical certificate for seafarers.

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention: II/1, IV/2, VI/2, VI/3

Valid medical certificate for seafarers.

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention: II/4, VI/1 or II/5, VI/1

Valid medical certificate for seafarers.

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention: III/4, VI/1 or III/5, VI/1

Valid medical certificate for seafarers.

Valid certificate according to STCW-Convention: VI/1, VI/6
Valid medical certificate for seafarers for catering service
Valid proof of participation in a hygiene training course

Application

At the moment, we are looking only for the positions you can find in the application form below. Please note that applications for positions that are not listed can not be answered.

    Choose your position on board*

    Please fill in your availability in 2025 (please specify months or periods)*

    Your contact details
    First name*

    Last name*

    Email*

    Phone*

    Street*

    House number*

    Postcode*

    City*

    Land*

    Please tell us a bit more about you
    Birthday*

    Previous experience*

    Languages

    Job

    Fitness*

    Prior experience in Sea-Eye missions (position and period, if applicable)

    Additional qualification

    Additional Craftsmanship skills

    Upload short CV (max. 10 MB)

    Upload Certificate of Competency (Seafarers) (max. 10 MB)

    Anything else you want to tell us?