Check pilot licence

Check pilots assess the competence of other coastal pilots.

On this page:

What is a check pilot licence?
Eligibility requirements
How to apply
How to renew
Pilotage providers

What is a check pilot licence?

If you have a check pilot licence, you are authorised to assess the competence of other coastal pilots on behalf of AMSA.

Eligibility requirements

To be issued with a check pilot licence, you must meet these requirements:

hold an unrestricted pilot licence for the pilotage area
hold a Certificate of Medical Fitness (form 303)
have a letter of support from current employer
have satisfactorily completed required training and assessment
have satisfactorily completed the required number of transits while performing the duties of a licenced pilot
have satisfactorily completed a competency assessment within the 2 years before applying.

Required training and assessment

To be issued with a check pilot licence, you must complete this AMSA-approved training and assessment:

check pilot specific training mapped to IMO model course 1.30
human factors training
mentor training
a psychometric assessment
an oral examination.

Who is not eligible

You will not be eligible for a check pilot licence if your unrestricted pilot licence has been suspended for more than 5 days within the 2 years before you apply.

Number of transits by area

Inner Route

Minimum required transits:

20 transits of the area within the 12-month period before you apply
100 transits of the area including:
- 50 transits on vessels operating under the Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) system
- 10 transits on container vessels
- 10 transits on tankers
- 50 transits on bulk carriers.

Note: A tanker includes a gas carrier, oil tanker or chemical tanker in loaded or ballast conditions.

Hydrographer's Passage

Minimum required transits:

6 transits of the area within the 12-month period before you apply
35 transits of the area including:
- 10 transits at night in each direction i.e. 5 east bound and 5 west bound
- 10 transits on capesize bulk carriers.

Note: A capesize bulk carrier has an overall length equal to or more than 290 metres.

Great North East Channel

Minimum required transits:

100 transits west of Alert Patches
30 transits of the Great North East Channel (east of Alert Patches) including:
- 6 transits that have occurred within the 12-month period before you apply
- 10 transits that have occurred at night in each direction - 5 north bound and 5 south bound.

How to apply

Complete an application for a coastal pilot licence renewal form 1021. Include all supporting documentation relevant to the requirements.
Pay an application fee.

How to renew

To renew your check pilot licence, you must:

have held a check pilot licence in the 2 years before applying to renew
have completed continuing professional development to the satisfaction of AMSA within the 2 years before applying
hold a Certificate of Medical Fitness
meet the transit requirements for the related pilotage area under the unrestricted licence
not have been suspended more than 5 days in the 2 years before applying
complete the following, as a check pilot, in the 2 years before applying:
- 3 check pilot transits
- 1 coastal pilot proficiency check (CPPC)
- 1 competency assessment with AMSA observing.

Note: If your check pilot licence has been expired for more than 12 months but less than 2 years, it will be downgraded to a restricted licence (removing check pilot capacity) even you meet all other renewal requirements.