KEY POINTS:
Fullers ferry skippers are responsible for the safe and efficient running of the vessel, and the wellbeing of passengers and crew.
People looking at this role as a career option need to have a passion for the maritime environment, vessels and for people. They must be able to cope physically and mentally with shift work, weather extremes and work under pressure.
Fullers' 10 ferries cover eight harbour routes. The first shift commences at 4.30am, the last shift on weekends finishes at 2am. Staff work rostered shifts, seven days a week, year round. Fullers has about 25 Masters.
Behind the scenes, each vessel has much to in shipshape, including its own electrical generation, plumbing , propelling machinery, auxiliary equipment - like knuckle boom cranes for lifting cargo - and cafes.
The ILM course has four components: commercial, nautical, engineering and restricted radar. The commercial week covers the Maritime Transport Act, operation rules, safe ship management, crew training and emergencies.
Nautical work includes navigation, collision prevention rules, meteorology, tidal predictions, fire fighting, life-saving appliances, seamanship and emergencies, stability and vessel handling and bridge watchkeeping.
In restricted radar, students learn the theory and practical operation of a marine radar set. The engineering week covers the operation, checks and maintenance of diesel and petrol engines, including the fuel, oil, cooling, electrical and pumping systems on vessels. The drive and steering gear is also covered.
Most candidates return to a company where they resume duties as deckhands and receive further training before being given a command. This could be the skipper of a harbour ferry, harbour work vessel or tug, tourist vessel, charter fishing vessel, research vessel or a dive vessel - all operating inshore.
The next step is the New Zealand Offshore Watchkeeper or the New Zealand Offshore Master, depending on seatime. These qualifications allow them to drive bigger vessels further offshore..
THE GRADUATE
Matt Williams, age 25
Master with Fullers
Graduated August 2005
I chose this career as I am interested in becoming a captain, travelling and getting paid for it. I was always interested in boats and how engines work. I didn't want to work in an office and my brother is also a master with Fullers and convinced me to try it.
The boat I work with doesn't require a marine engineer on board so I do prestarts and engine checks in the morning. I record engine documentation, manage the crew, and drive the boat.
There are never two days the same and I watch the sun set and sun rise and get paid for it.
We work a five-week roster. One week we do morning shifts, that's about 5am til about 1.30pm. Then the afternoon shifts start at 1.30pm and go to about 11.30pm. Fullers is a great stepping stone to greater opportunities. A lot of people start and move away, other people have been there for years. They enjoy it, it's a lifestyle.
The ILM course was in-depth. They give you an overview and it's up to you to study. Topics range from radar to what you are allowed to do on the water.
The radar simulator stood out. You go into a room and the examiner asks you to set up the radar and see if you can pick up obstacles and plot your position on a chart using a radar. We also learned what to do in the fog. Basically there are no rules, just don't hit anything.
THE EMPLOYER
Catherine Dekker,
Human Resources Manager with Fullers
Matt joined the business in 2002 in an on-board services crew position.
He trained as a deckhand and gained his ILM qualification in 2005.
He commenced training as a Master last year and is now working as a Master.
Matt is a popular crew member. He is friendly, diligent and is interested in ongoing learning and developing his skills.
He interacts well with the public and enjoys building up relationships with workmates and regular passengers, traits that are important in a Master.
Important qualities for being a commercial launch master are leadership, good knowledge of the local operating environment, being able to meet the needs of passenger safety and their comfort.
The Masters are responsible for the vessel, including machinery and engines. The ILM is the minimum requirement for a Master on our ferries. Ongoing training on the job is important as they have to learn local operating conditions, and the differing controls of each vessel.
