Small Boat Manager

The Royal Yacht Britannia is an award-winning, five-star visitor attraction and exclusive evening events venue in Edinburgh, which employs more than 200 staff. This former floating palace of Queen Elizabeth II usually attracts over 300,000 visitors a year from around the world and would normally host circa 100 exclusive evening events per annum.
Britannia provides an exceptional experience for visitors. This dedication to excellence has led to the Royal Yacht being rated as Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Visitor Attraction 2025.
Fingal Hotel is a luxury floating hotel permanently berthed on Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront awarded Tripadvisor's No.1 UK Luxury Hotel, Tripadvisor's No.1 UK Small & Boutique Hotel and AA Hotel of the Year Scotland.
Britannia’s Maintenance department consists of skilled engineers and qualified trade staff who undertake the preservation of these iconic vessels The Royal Yacht Britannia and Fingal Hotel and provide an essential support role to all other departments. The team also maintain a flotilla of small operational motorboats including the Royal Nore (ex-Port of London Authority) State Barge and two vintage Fast Motor Launches (Nelson’s), as well as three sailing yachts: the 63ft racing yacht Bloodhound, and Dragon Class yachts Bluebottle and Echidna. In addition, they look after five static vessels that are on display: the Royal Barge, Coweslip (Flying Fifteen), two 27ft Motor Whalers, and a Fast Motor Launch.

This role is to lead a small, dedicated team to maintain and operate the small boats, and is very much a hands-on role reporting directly to our Director of Maintenance.
You must have a good working knowledge of MCA rules and regulations, such as Marine Guidance Note (MGN) and Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN). A good understanding of small boat Engines and Ship Systems, knowledge on Rigs and Sails would also be beneficial.

• You will be required to keep each vessel in Classification, organising annual external inspections by independent surveyors both Structural and Coding.

• Produce and maintain maintenance schedules and ships logs for each vessel.

• Organise training for the team and any crew members who are involved in the cruising and or sailing of the vessels.

• You will have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the small boat staff responsible for the upkeep of the boats.

• Organise transport if any of the vessels need to leave port.

• You will have the support of the main Maintenance Team for specialised assistance, such as joinery, plumbing, electrical and spray painting as required, liaising with the Director of Maintenance and Maintenance Team Manager.
You must have a Driving Licence and an interest in sailing would be beneficial, but not essential.
The role involves working 40 hours per week over 5 days and there will be a requirement to work some evenings and weekends.
A starting salary of £40k which will rise after successful completion of probation.Company benefits include:

• 10% employer pension contribution with a choice to contribute up to a further 5% yourself, which would then be matched by us as well! (So, 20% potential contribution to your pension)

• 6.6 weeks/33 days pro-rata, annual holiday entitlement (one week/5 days pro-rata more than statutory minimum)

• Life Assurance

• Performance & loyalty payment scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Complimentary tickets

• Staff discount (Britannia Shop, Royal Deck Tearoom and The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar aboard Fingal Hotel)

• Free parking for staff.
Please send your CV or resume of work experience to: recruitment@tryb.co.uk or postal applications to:

Derek WR Miller MRINA,
Director of Maintenance,
The Royal Yacht Britannia,
Ocean Terminal,
Leith,
Edinburgh EH6 6JJClosing date: Friday 1 May 2026Please note, if you have been selected for interview you will be contacted directly.