Contact Capt. Bruce, the office, or send the crew application form below.

 The tall ship WINDY will be accepting applications for Sailing Crew and Office personnel for the 2007 end season  including, senior deckhands and deckhands until filled.   New applicants for 2008 crew are reviewed in Feb-March for the upcoming season.  Benefits package available. WINDY is a 148 ft. four masted sailing vessel operating on short term daily public cruises and private charters out of downtown Chicago and up to  month long term public and educational cruises in the Great Lakes .  A nonsmoking and nonalcohol environment with school and church related students and adult groups as well as among the crew is promoted.  WOC hires for April-Oct in the season after reviewing applications in the Febuary/March.  Applicants are accepted on the basis of ability, interests in the programs, ability to serve, teach, and work with all kinds of people, compatibility with rest of the crew, and ship and company needs.   Since we are a small company all job positions have multiple tasks and may include tasks outside of titled activities. Contact Capt. Bruce Randall at tallshipwindy@aol.com for applications and/or fill out a copy of the one given with this website click here below. 

For application form:  Application

Current Openings:  For 2008  beginning April May and June: Deckhands, Senior Deckhands, Mates

Position Descriptions:

Master   The Master is responsible for all the operations of the ship and includes overseeing the navigation, maintenance, training,  hiring and evaluation. He is the Captain of the vessel. A minimum of a 100 Ton USCG Masters License with Auxiliary Sail endorsement with route of Great Lakes or higher is required. For Bahamas cruise Near Coastal with STCW endorsements are required.

Relief Captain/Mate     The Relief Captain serves as mate when the Master is aboard and stands in when he/she is not aboard.  The Mate is responsible for carrying out he commands of the Captain and usually directly oversees the deckhands. A 100 Ton USCG Master/Mate with Aux/Sail or higher license is required. For Bahama cruise Near Coastal with STCW endorsements are required.

Senior Deckhand   Senior Deckhand is defined as a deckhand who under the circumstances of the captain being injured or otherwise found unable to commanded the ship, be able to bring the ship to the nearest port.  The Senior Deckhand stands in the position of Mate when there is no mate aboard. Typically they serve as watch leaders and instructors for deckhands and guests/students. No license is required, but knowledge of the vessel and operating system is a must and requires a minimum of 30 days service. AB’s and 6 pack licenses can typically fill this position with a few days of orientation.

Deckhand     Deckhands are the life of the ship and perform all sailing, maintenance, and upgrading activities as directed by superior officers.  Some experience is expected, however some novices are accepted each year.

Office Manager/Assistant     The Office Manager performs and oversees all the ticket sales, bookings, and information dispensing for both vessels. He/she hires, trains, schedules and oversees the ticket sales personnel. He/she is responsible for all basic sales bookkeeping. Competence in public relations and working with numbers is expected.  This position also typically begins as a Office Manager Assistant until full competency is achieved.

Ticket Sales Personnel     Ticket sales personnel serve in the corporate office and ticket booth at Navy Pier.  They are the front line contact to the patrons and must be able to present a positive image. They are responsible for all daily ticket sales and accounting.  Typical, hours are afternoons and evenings, and weekends and pay is hourly.

Benefits: All employees may buy concessions and merchandise at approximate cost as posted from time to time, have immediate family and close friends sail in public cruises on a space available basis, and after a waiting period be eligible for medical, dental, retirement, and other benefits which may require salary adjustments. Some employees may apply to live aboard and share in the food costs, preparations and normal shipboard maintenance.