Ask Phoebe: Harbour pilot responsible for bringing big ships safely into berth

Aerial view of Ports of Auckland towards Auckland city. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Can you please tell us a little about what the Ports of Auckland harbour pilot does, which boats he brings in, how he gets on and off the ship, how you train to be a harbour pilot?
Georgia Serjeant, Auckland.

The pilots are employed and trained by Ports of Auckland. Just as an aside, Ports of Auckland is probably one of the few ports to own and operate its own pilot service, tug service and lines gangs. In most ports the pilot service and tugs are owned and operated by a separate company.

The requirement for a pilot is a maritime rule that was set in conjunction with Ports of Auckland, Maritime NZ and the Harbourmaster after risk assessments of the harbour and berthing at the wharves was undertaken.

For all vessels over 500 gross tonnes it is compulsory for a pilot to be on board to navigate safely into the harbour and port. This can differ between ports; for example, in Tauranga any vessel over 100 gross tonnes requires a pilot. Nautical charts indicate an "imaginary line" that shows where the Auckland pilotage area starts and the pilot boards the ship one to two nautical miles north of the Rangitoto Beacon.

The pilot boat takes the pilot out to the ship which generally takes around 30-40 minutes from leaving its berth within the port. It also goes out to collect a pilot off a departing ship. The pilot boards a vessel using a pilot ladder from one of the ship's doors, about 2-3m above the waterline.

Ports of Auckland has nine pilots qualified for the Waitemata Harbour and currently has three pilots able to work on the Manukau Harbour.

Training to become a pilot is quite intense and takes as long as necessary to have conducted the required number of jobs and knowledge to sit the exam. However in order to be considered for a pilot position or to start training you must hold a current masters ticket which can only be obtained from time at sea and working your way up through the ranks.

What speeds are boats allowed to do on the Waitemata Harbour? We had to turn our boat quickly to pass over a wake recently, left by a launch going far too fast in our opinion. Bob Johnson, Auckland.

Auckland Council's updated Navigation Safety Bylaw came into effect at Labour Weekend, 2014. It says the speed of all vessels must be no more than five knots when the vessel is within 50m of any other vessel, within 50m of any person in the water, or within 200m of the shore, any structure or any vessel flying a dive flag.

This also applies to jet skis and personal water craft, such as wind surfers and kite surfers, and boats towing water skiers. As well, a permanent speed restriction applies in the following areas: Bon Accord Harbour (Kawau Island) - 5 knots; Waitemata Harbour (Harbour Bridge to North Head) - 12 knots.

For full details consult the council's Navigation Safety Bylaw.