Vatan will laugh when called a "shipmaster".
"Friend Dwarf, far be I from bein' a Ship's Master, but 'tis a good idea to be checkin' for ships that be headin' inland. Me thinks not a few cap'n would breath easier ta be knowin' that he has a crew like us to be fightin' any boarders. The last ship from upstream might have shook a few hearts at the thought o' goin' without such as us."
After digging in for more grub, he will continue with a chuckle. "After we be finished with this board, I think I will indeed take a trip to the port. If you could be watching me kit, I shouldn't be too long about seeing for a berth inland. 'Tis a bit o'trouble to be luggin' it about."
When Vatan is finished his plate, and washed it down with another mug, he will make his way down to to port. The first place that he willl go to would be the sailors hostel to see if there are any ships looking for crew to head inland. If there are he will take note of the name and their captains. If not he will ask the sailor rep or any sailors about for this info. If perchance no one know here he will head over to the Captain's House to sak the same thing. The last stop would be the docks themselves. If he hasn't found a ship before that he will be looking for a ship that might be loading up, and ask if they were heading inland.
Once he finds a ship heading in the right direction, he will try to approach the XO or first mate if he can find him. Having located said worthy, he will "inquire on the possibilities of hire for a crew of 5 or 6 marines for the voyage inland" (definately not his words but I can't figure out how he would actually say it atm). If he can come to what he would concider reasonable terms he will get whatever departure info might be required, and head back to the Nest, looking for his companions and having a few rounds...before bed.