The coastal pilot training program and ongoing professional development is inadequate.
The safety action taken by AMSA and the ongoing work of the pilot training working group has partially addressed this safety issue, particularly with respect to electronic charting systems training and the implementation of standard passage plans and pilotage procedures. However, focused training and assessments using bridge simulators to achieve appropriate competency levels in an efficient manner is a key measure that has not progressed. Further, the pilot training program remains AMSA-prescribed through the 2004 versions of the training study guide and workbook.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority takes further safety action to address the safety issue with regard to the acquisition of local area knowledge, particularly in confined areas, and the use of electronic charting systems by pilots. Focused training and assessments in bridge simulators should be amongst the measures used to achieve competency levels appropriate for coastal pilots.
Marine Orders Part 54 stipulates the prerequisites for becoming a coastal pilot. The entry point is predicated on base line experience and navigation skills and there is currently no provision for introductory coastal pilotage training. The applicant must hold a certificate of competency as a Master for ships of 3000 or more gross tonnage (or equivalent Royal Australian Navy qualifications). This is an internationally recognised qualification issued in accordance with the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention. In addition to this, the applicant must have 36 month sea service after gaining this certificate and half of this sea service is required within the preceding 5 years of applying for a pilot’s license. Consequently coastal pilots are all experienced master mariners, usually former ships’ masters and widely considered to be at the pinnacle of their marine careers.
AMSA recognises the need for pilots to acquire appropriate local area knowledge, particularly in confined waters. To this end, we have re-written the coastal pilotage exam database to strengthen the focus of testing in local area knowledge. Where necessary, on a case-by-case basis, AMSA may also conduct an oral assessment for local knowledge in a simulated piloted passage.
Noting that the use of simulation is explicit in Marine Orders 54 (including s6, definition for competency assessment; s87, license revalidation; and Division 10, approved pilotage training courses) AMSA is working with pilotage providers to investigate how simulation can be included in the training and assessment regime. This could be used not only to enhance the local knowledge element, but also address specific training requirements for revalidation of licenses.
AMSA has reviewed the industry recommendation for ECDIS familiarisation and will implement a requirement for all Coastal Pilots to have basic ECDIS training in order to be able to demonstrate the relevant competencies identified in IMO Model Course 1.27. Taking into account the complement of the coastal pilotage body, the expectation is that training will be carried out as soon as possible and, in any case, will be completed no later than December 2015.
The proposed safety action has the potential to adequately address the safety issue.
Regarding ECDIS training - The Industry Standard recommendation for ECDIS training was discussed at CPG63 in March 2013 (document as published in conjunction with IMPA, IALA, and others). It was agreed that the recommended approach for pilot training for ECDIS should be addressed as soon as possible. The providers indicated at that time that they would work towards having all pilots trained by April 2014 (i.e. one year).
At CPG64 it was noted that this could be a difficult goal to achieve based on the limited number of courses available. It was agreed that pilotage providers are to provide AMSA with the steps they are undertaking to ensure pilots receive ECDIS training, and that scanned certificates for completed training would be sent to AMSA.
Regarding other training matters – AMSA has completed the workshop series on Pilot Training. The report of these workshops is available on the password protected area of the AMSA pilotage webpage. An outcome of the third workshop was to convene a Pilot Training Working Group (PTWG). The first meeting of the PTWG is being scheduled for November 2013.
The proposed safety action has the potential to adequately address the safety issue.
At present, 75% of AMSA-licensed coastal pilots have completed requisite ECDIS training.
In December 2013, AMSA provided provisional approval for the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College (GBRIMC) in Cairns to provide the requisite ECDIS course. Noting the high number of coastal pilots resident in Cairns, it is expected that the availability of ECDIS training at the GBRIMC will assist with increased numbers of coastal pilots completing the course as necessary.
The content of written and blank chart pilotage examinations has been reviewed and updated to ensure appropriate local area knowledge is demonstrated by applicants.
The Coastal Pilot Training Working Group (CPTWG) convened its inaugural meeting in November 2013 and had a second meeting in July 2014. Meetings will continue to be scheduled on a twice yearly basis. The group comprised of representatives from coastal pilotage and training stakeholders. The Group’s Terms of Reference were finalised and key areas of future work were agreed as follows:
Simulation (incorporating aspects related to pilot and check pilot training and assessment);
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) (incorporating aspects related to curriculum and frequency);
Pilot Training (incorporating pilotage provider-developed training courses); and
Check Pilot Framework (incorporating various aspects including check pilot selection, training, check runs, check assessment criteria etc.).
Safety action by AMSA to address the issue, particularly ECDIS training, local area knowledge examinations and the ongoing work by the pilot training working group is positive. The progress made by the working group will be reassesed by the ATSB.
At present, 56% of AMSA-licensed coastal pilots have completed requisite ECDIS training.
In December 2013, AMSA provided provisional approval for the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College (GBRIMC) in Cairns to provide the requisite ECDIS course. Noting the high number of coastal pilots resident in Cairns, it is expected that the availability of ECDIS training at the GBRIMC will assist with increased numbers of coastal pilots completing the course as necessary.
The content of written and blank chart pilotage examinations has been reviewed and updated to ensure appropriate local area knowledge is demonstrated by applicants.
The Coastal Pilot Training Working Group (CPTWG) convened its inaugural meeting in November 2013. The group comprised of representatives from coastal pilotage and training stakeholders. The Group’s Terms of Reference were finalised and key areas of future work were agreed as follows:
Simulation (incorporating aspects related to pilot and check pilot training and assessment
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) (incorporating aspects related to curriculum and frequency);
Pilot Training (incorporating pilotage provider-developed training courses); and
Check Pilot Framework (incorporating various aspects including check pilot selection, training, check runs, check assessment criteria etc.).
As at the end of January 2015, 97% of active AMSA-licensed coastal pilots have completed requisite ECDIS training.
In December 2014, AMSA conducted an assessment of the Advanced Marine Pilot Training Course (AMPTC) for the purposes of ongoing endorsement (as an approved pilot training course under MO54). The course received continued approval for the purposes of pilot licence issue and renewal.
AMSA considers the concept of coastal pilot training and professional development to be an area that will undergo continual review, development and improvement in consultation with pilots, pilotage providers and training institutions. Further, AMSA considers the pilot training and CPD initiatives already completed, combined with those currently underway and those intended for the future (particularly via the CPTWG), to adequately address the issue.
The safety action taken by AMSA and the ongoing work of the pilot training working group has addressed many aspects of this safety issue. As the activity is continuing, the ATSB will continue to monitor AMSA’s progress in addressing the issue, particularly with respect to the pilot training program and bridge simulator training for pilots. The status of the safety issue will be reassessed after AMSA’s next update.
As of the end of January 2016, 100 per cent of active AMSA-licensed coastal pilots had completed requisite electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) training.
The concept of coastal pilot training and continuing professional development (CPD) is an area that undergoes continual review, development and improvement. This is in consultation with pilots, pilotage providers and training institutions.
AMSA intends to include discussion on the value of simulation training in the coastal pilotage context at the next Coastal Pilotage Training Working Group (CPTWG). Additionally, CPD will also be discussed as a high priority at CPTWG noting that, as a level of self-regulation, CPD is being deliberated within representative pilotage societies - as highlighted at the October 2015 Pilotage & Port Logistics Conference in Sydney.
AMSA has recently developed examination guidance information for trainee pilots, which includes relevant references to nautical publications, and resources that may assist with the relevant pilotage.
The safety action taken by AMSA and the ongoing work of the pilot training working group has partially addressed this safety issue, particularly with respect to electronic charting systems training and the implementation of standard passage plans and pilotage procedures. However, focused training and assessments using bridge simulators to achieve appropriate competency levels in an efficient manner is a key measure that has not progressed. Further, the pilot training program remains AMSA-prescribed through the 2004 versions of the training study guide and workbook.
