Harbour Pilot
Tasks & duties
Harbour pilots may do some or all of the following:
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board ships by boat or by helicopter
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advise ship's masters on harbour rules
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direct the course and speed of ships while they are in the harbour
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guide ships in and out of the port
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assist ships to berth (come to a mooring place at a wharf) and unberth with or without the assistance of tugboats
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perform administrative duties as required
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assist in maritime rescue operations
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relieve crew on tugboats and launches
Skills & knowledge
Harbour pilots need to have:
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knowledge of tides, waters, coastlines, marine hazards and weather conditions
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knowledge of the port they are working in and its harbour
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knowledge of customs procedures and correct safety procedures
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excellent navigational and ship-handling skills
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leadership skills
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good communication skills
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decision-making ability
Entry requirements
To become a harbour pilot you need to have a certificate of competency as Master of a Foreign Going Ship. This is gained through a minimum of four years of sea service and completion of certificate-based courses that include practical components. You also need to have a pilot's licence for the port where the work is needed. Further information regarding seagoing qualifications is available from Maritime New Zealand.
Harbour pilots also need to have a current medical certificate (category A or B).
Secondary education
There are no specific secondary education requirements. However, merchant navy deck officer trainees who plan to progress on to harbour pilot work need to have at least Sixth Form or NCEA equivalent English, maths and physics to enter tertiary training.
Training on the job
Skills are gained on the job. Trainee harbour pilots undertake a set pilotage training programme approved by Maritime New Zealand. This involves some classroom theory on maritime practices, instruction from senior harbour pilots, and building up experience on vessels of all shapes and sizes.
Useful experience
Seafaring experience, such as working on a variety of coastal and foreign going vessels, is essential for harbour pilots, as is experience working in a job with irregular hours. An interest in ships, small boats, or knowledge of a particular port is also useful.
Related courses
Marine Craft Operation
For more information, please refer to Career Services.
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