Maritime NZ at the New Zealand Marine Pilot’s Association Conference

About half of New Zealand’s marine pilots attended this year’s conference, joined by pilots from other countries, marine managers, product and service providers, regulators and government agencies and international experts. 

It is important for Maritime NZ to attend so we can present and make ourselves available to discuss and answer questions. It is a chance to engage as an organisation and in person with the maritime community. We are grateful that the NZMPA provides this opportunity.

This year the conference was in Tauranga and Maritime NZ’s Director, Kirstie Hewlett, Chief Technical Advisor, Captain John Silberberg, and Principal Advisor Operations, Matt Dean, all attended.

Kirstie presented an update on Maritime NZ’s work of interest to pilots, including work on fatigue management, legislative reform, relevant International Maritime Organization work, and our co-regulatory work with local councils.

John provided a more technical presentation covering the review and development of maritime rules and licensing relevant to pilots and pilotage.

Matt was there for all three days of the conference to be the subject matter expert and contact point for Maritime NZ.

Our presentations were received with interest. There was particular attention on our review of competency requirements for those wishing to become pilots. Currently, pilots must be master mariners or equivalent, with broad and deep knowledge of vessels and maritime operations. This underlines the complexity of their role (controlling and manoeuvring large ships in busy port areas) and the high levels of responsibility placed on pilots. 

Pilot associations continue to take a strong interest in the maintenance of high entry requirements for those who join their ranks. This is an important reflection for us as we develop the framework for applicants to demonstrate equivalent entry requirements. We are considering how persons without a New Zealand master mariner’s qualification (such as Navy personnel and overseas pilots and mariners) can clearly and efficiently demonstrate they meet the required level of qualification for entry.

We are also reviewing requirements for pilotage outside of major ports, where traditional pilotage services may not be available, and the demands of the location do not require the same level of qualification.

For more information about Maritime NZ’s presentations at the conference or our work with pilots, please email [email protected] and ask for your message to be forwarded to Captain John Silberberg or Matt Dean.