Job Purpose

A qualified and licensed person on board the ship who is not a member of the ship's crew and who brings local knowledge and maritime expertise in handling vessels in confined waterways in ports to protect the port from the hazards of the ship and to protect the vessel from the hazards of the port.
He or she joins the incoming ship prior to her entry into the shallow waters of the port at the designated pilot boarding area and direct the navigation of the vessel while in port and may remain on board until the vessel completes her intended operations and departs the port limits

Job Specific Accountabilities

• Responsible for the direction and control of the ship's navigation in pilotage waters, narrow waterways in port approaches, and for the final docking of the ship to harbour facilities
• Engage pilotage techniques relying on nearby visual reference points and local knowledge of tides, swells, currents, depths and shoals that might not be readily identifiable on nautical charts to manoeuvre the vessel through a safe navigable route and clear from marine hazards
• Represent the sovereign jurisdiction of the port when the vessel enters the territorial waters to establish the relationship between the port authorities and the vessel's owner/master and to ensure the master's covenant to state laws and port regulations as a condition for entry
• Controls and directs the movements and operations of the tugs, line boats, mooring teams and handlers to vigilantly dock the ship alongside berths and sea terminals and securely moor her to shore and harbour facilities
• Acts as on-seen-commander for all action and movements of the ship and the emergency response team in an unfortunate case of accident, fire, or pollution on board -while the ship is in port- to restrain damages, that can compromise safety, and suppress the cause of the emergency
• May act as a loading master to supervise cargo transfer operations at sea terminals or in emergencies and during adverse weather conditions (Refer to relevant Job Description and accountabilities under Loading Master)

Minimum Qualification

• Holder of a maritime certificate of competency that is required by the port authority of the relevant port and issued by the pilotage authority
• Class 1 certificate of competency- Master mariner or equivalent as approved by the pilotage authority

Minimum Experience, Knowledge & Skills

• 10 years of experience at sea, including at least 2 years in command of deep draft ships or harbour tugs in the relevant port

Revenues/ Budget: As per approved financial budget
Direct Reports: As per organization chart
Indirect Reports: As per organization chart

Professional Certifications

• Pilotage license for the relevant port issued by the pilotage authority
• Pass a written exam and a simulator exercise followed by a period of training on all vessels types and docking facilities