Chief Instructor & Skipper

Southern Passages is Canterbury's first dedicated offshore sailing academy and expedition charter operation, based in Lyttelton — 12km from Christchurch city centre. We operate a Davidson 65 offshore sailing yacht delivering RYA and IYT accredited sailing courses, Fiordland expeditions, offshore passage berths, and corporate sailing days throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific.

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Instructor and Skipper to join us at the ground floor of something genuinely significant in New Zealand maritime education.

THE ROLE

This is a senior, multifaceted position combining the responsibilities of Chief Instructor, vessel skipper, and key member of the Southern Passages leadership team. You will be the face of Southern Passages on the water — responsible for the safety, quality, and experience of every student, charter guest, and expedition crew member who comes aboard.

You will deliver:

• RYA practical sail training courses — Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Offshore preparation
• IYT practical sailing courses — International Crew, Bareboat Skipper, Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore
• Skippered Fiordland expeditions — 7-day passages to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Dusky Sound
• Offshore passage berths — Cook Strait, South Island coastal, and South Pacific routes
• Corporate sailing days — team building and leadership events for Canterbury businesses
• School sailing programmes — EOTC days and structured youth programmes for Canterbury high schools

You will also contribute to course development, marketing content, student communications, and the development of the Southern Passages brand in Canterbury and beyond.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Essential qualifications:

• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (commercial endorsement strongly preferred)
• RYA Yachtmaster Instructor (Sail Cruising) — OR IYT equivalent instructor qualification
• STCW Basic Safety Training (or equivalent)
• Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate (MVOC) or RYA SRC
• First Aid at Sea — current certificate
• New Zealand Maritime Transport Operator Plan compliance experience — or willingness to develop

Essential experience:

• Minimum 5,000 offshore sea miles as skipper or watch leader
• Demonstrated experience sailing in Southern Ocean or comparable conditions
• Experience delivering structured sailing instruction to mixed ability groups
• Strong vessel maintenance and systems knowledge — diesel engines, electrics, rigging, safety equipment
• Commercial vessel operation experience highly regarded

Personal qualities:

• Exceptional safety culture — this is non-negotiable
• Natural teacher — patient, clear, engaging, and adaptable to all learning styles
• Calm under pressure — able to manage vessel, students, and conditions simultaneously
• Strong communicator — with students, guests, schools, and corporate clients
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial — this is a growing business and we need someone who builds it with us
• Physically fit and able to perform all duties in demanding offshore conditions
• Clean maritime record

WHAT WE OFFER

Compensation:

• Competitive base retainer plus performance-based commission structure
• Remuneration details provided to shortlisted candidates
• Based permanently in Lyttelton, Canterbury
• Access to offshore sailing in some of the most spectacular waters on earth — Fiordland, Stewart Island, Marlborough Sounds, Chatham Islands, and South Pacific
• Association with a growing RYA and IYT recognised training centre
• Real career development opportunity — ground floor role in an ambitious business
• The vessel: a 1992 Davidson 65, ABS construction, 2020 Evolution carbon technora sails, lifting keel, bow thruster, 10-berth, Lyttelton based

The bigger picture:

Southern Passages is developing the Southern Passages Race — an offshore yacht race from Lyttelton toward Campbell Island at 52°S, the southernmost offshore race on earth. The Chief Instructor and Skipper will be a central figure in the race programme as it develops.

Send the following to peter@southernpassages.co.nz:

1. A brief cover letter — tell us why Southern Passages and why now
2. Your sailing CV — qualifications, sea miles, vessels skippered, instruction experience
3. Two maritime references — including at least one from a student or employer you have instructed or worked for

Applications are reviewed on receipt. We will respond to all applications within five working days.

southernpassages.co.nz

Southern Passages · Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand