Coastal pilot training

We have approved the training providers listed below to conduct training courses for coastal pilots.

We do not endorse one particular training provider in preference to another.

We recognise the Advanced Marine Pilots Training (AMPT) course and the Bridge Resource Management (BRM) course as the approved trainee pilot training courses (as pre-requisites for trainee coastal pilot licence applications).

The training organisations approved to conduct the AMPT course are:

Australian Maritime College
Locked Bag 1399, Launceston, Tasmania 7250
Phone: 1300 363 864 or +61 3 6324 3775

Marine Consultancy Group
98A Wattle Valley Rd, Camberwell, Victoria 3124
Phone: +61 3 9830 0649 or +61 3 9830 0649

Pivot Maritime International
PO Box 124, Legana, Tasmania 7277
Phone: +61 3 6330 2929

Smartship Australia
Da Vinci 3.03, Boronia Road, Brisbane Airport, Queensland 4009
Phone: +61 7 3358 9300

The list of Australian registered training organisations we have approved to conduct the BRM course can be found on the international seafarers qualifications page.

Both the AMPT course and BRM course must be completed before we can issue a trainee coastal pilot licence (subject to all other eligibility requirements).

Trainee coastal pilot induction training

To become a trainee coastal pilot, a number of eligibility requirements must be met, including the completion of trainee induction training.

When successfully completed, the approved AMPT course and approved BRM course meet the requirements for trainee pilot induction training.

Pilotage providers are also permitted to develop their own ‘in-house’ training course for trainee pilot induction. Such induction training courses must be approved by us prior to implementation. 

Successfully completing an approved 'in-house' training course will remove the need to complete the AMPT course as a coastal pilot licence prerequisite. However, successfully completing an approved BRM course is still required.

The syllabus for any trainee coastal pilot induction training course must include no less than the following topics:

• IMO and legal framework (including coastal pilot specific elements)
• Navigation Act
• Marine Order 54 (Coastal pilotage) and other relevant marine orders
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act / Regulations (relevant environmental legislation)
• Customs and quarantine legislation / requirements
• Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait vessel traffic service (REEFVTS)
• Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait ship reporting system (REEFREP)
• Queensland coastal passage plan (QCPP)
• General ship handling
• Pilotage safety management systems (SMS), including:
  • the role of a coastal pilot
  • Master / Pilot exchange
  • fatigue management
  • incident reporting
  • workplace health and safety (including general safety and drug / alcohol policy requirements)

All components of any trainee coastal pilot induction training course are to focus on those aspects relevant to the conduct of coastal pilotage operations in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, in accordance with the regulatory frameworks. Pilot induction training courses we have approved are subject to training course audits in accordance with the provisions specified in Marine Order 54 (Coastal pilotage).

Online learning

We also require trainee coastal pilots to complete additional online courses to qualify for a restricted coastal pilot licence.

These mandatory online courses, including our Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) system familiarisation course and the Fatigue Management Awareness training course, are available via the links below:

• UKCM system (DUKC5©) familiarisation training is available to approved system users. This training is delivered via OMC International’s training portal.

• Fatigue Management Awareness training (1-hour short course) is delivered by .

   

   

  Restricted coastal pilot licence training

  To obtain a restricted coastal pilot licence for a coastal pilotage licence area, a number of eligibility requirements must be met.

  These requirements include (among others):

  • completing the required number of transits for a coastal pilotage licence area
  • the successful completion of written examinations we administer.

  Trainee coastal pilots are also required to complete the Queensland coastal pilotage training workbook to progress to a restricted coastal pilot licence.

  The Queensland coastal pilotage training workbook (and accompanying study guide) are designed to document a trainee coastal pilot’s local area knowledge about coastal pilotage areas and specific routes.

  The workbook also records a trainee’s competence in piloting a vessel through a given coastal pilotage licence area.

  Pilotage providers are also permitted to develop their own in-house training course for trainee pilot progression to a restricted coastal pilot licence.

  Please contact our principal advisor, coastal pilotage for details about the minimum syllabus requirements for inclusion in a restricted pilot licence training course.

  Check the coastal pilotage examinations guidance information PDF451.61 KB to prepare for your assessment.

  Related information

  • International seafarers qualifications
  • Queensland coastal pilotage training workbook PDF1.69 MB
  • Queensland coastal pilotage training study guide PDF1006.49 KB