Certificates of Local Knowledge (COLK) are issued under the Marine Safety Act. The requirements for the issue of a Certificate of Local Knowledge are detailed in Marine Safety (General) Regulations and NSW Marine Pilotage Code.
Certificates of Local Knowledge (COLK) Newcastle will only be valid for the size of vessel stated on the Certificate of Competency held by the Applicant and to the specific vessel as stated on the COLK at the time of issue.
Certificates of Local Knowledge are not normally required for masters of vessels of less than 30m LOA and are limited to vessels up to 80m LOA. In some circumstances, the Harbour Master may require the Master of a vessel less than 30m LOA to possess a Certificate of Local Knowledge.
The Certificate of Local Knowledge has a validity of five years (5) with an annual validation requirement.
The conditions of all Certificates of Local Knowledge are:
- maintenance of the Certificate of Competency, Master applicable to the size of vessel of which the Certificate of Local Knowledge relates;
- annual validation to determine whether the holder continues to be eligible to hold this marine safety licence;
- the holder must satisfactorily complete any training or assessment as required by Port Authority, as detailed below;
- a valid certificate of medical fitness for the Certificate of Competency held as a Master of the vessel stated in the Certificate;
- must not carry out any unsupervised movements in the area to which the Certificate relates if the holder becomes aware of any circumstance, condition or injury that might cast doubt on the holder's fitness to carry out such movements as are authorised by the Certificate;
- must maintain the records required to be maintained by the NSW Marine Pilotage Code;
- must comply with any direction given by the Harbour Master for the Port; and
- must comply with any Port procedures published by the Harbour Master, Port Authority or Minister;
- it is an offence to cheat in an examination associated with a marine safety licence, including a COLK (under section 84 of the Marine Safety Regulation 2016(NSW)). If you commit an offence under this section you are liable to pay a financial penalty in accordance with the Act and will be disqualified from holding a licence for 12 months.
- 10hrs by day and 10hrs by night operation on the harbour under the supervision of a Master with a Certificate of Local Knowledge
- Satisfactory completion of a blank chart and oral examination
- 2 pilotage observations (Ship Assist tug masters only)
The applicant must provide the following:
- Application Form
- Copy of Valid Certificate of Competency
- Copy of a valid Certificate of Medical Fitness as required for the Certificate of Competency held by the Applicant.
- Evidence of Qualifying Time or Experience:
- Letter from employer or copy of record of service book (to be kept on file by Port Authority)
On the Day of the exam bring the following:
- Parallel ruler, compass, dividers, pencils, erasers to help with your completion of the blank chart.
The examination consists of two parts:
Part A – Completion of blank chart for Newcastle
The blank chart shows the basic outline of Newcastle Harbour, foreshores and channel boundaries. The chart requires to be completed indication:
- Navigation marks etc, light characteristics including heights, arcs of visibility, arcs of increased intensity and arcs of obscurity.
- Off-lying dangers at the Harbour Entrance, 5 metres and 10m depth contours.
- Berth numbers, locations and maintained depth.
Part B – Oral Examination
For verifying the candidate's knowledge of the port procedures and applicable regulations. The oral examination will be undertaken by a Newcastle Check Pilot.
Please refer to Study Guide for Applicants for further information on what to expect in the exam.
- Marine Safety Regulation – NSW Legislation
- Harbour Master’s Directions
- Berths and Facilities Information
- Approaches to Newcastle AUS Chart 207
- Newcastle Harbour ENC AU5NTL01
- You can purchase AUS digital charts from Hydrographic Office
- New application $79.00
- Renew application $42.00
- Payment will be processed on the day: We accept Visa/MasterCard
https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2016/308/sch11
Once you have studied and you are ready to book a time and date to do the exam:
- Email: [email protected]
Alternatively, if you have any queries, please contact Selina Jenkins on 02 4985 8259
Once a year on the anniversary of the CLK issue date, a holder of a CLK will be required to submit evidence of operational use of the certificate within the preceding 12 months (evidence may take the form of a letter from the employer or service record book).
The Port Authority shall endeavour to send a reminder email prior to the anniversary date, to provide evidence of sea service and maintain the validity of the certificate, to the holder.
These documents can be emailed to: [email protected]
Or mailed to:
Port Authority of New South Wales
Attention: Certificates of Local Knowledge
PO Box 663
NEWCASTLE NSW 2300
As per the NSW Marine Pilotage code, the holder of the certificate will be assessed when:
- Five (5) years have expired since the Certificate of Local Knowledge was issued or
- When the holder of the certificate has not operationally used the certificate during the preceding 12 months or
- As deemed necessary by the Port Authority.
Renewal is only permitted within a period extending up to 3 months after the expiration of the Certificate, on a case-by-case basis as assessed by the Harbour Master. Otherwise, the applicant will require to complete all the requirements for the initial application.
The re-assessment shall be carried out by a computer-based knowledge examination or otherwise as deemed appropriate by the Harbour Master or the appointed delegate.
The following is required from the Applicant prior to a Certificate of Local Knowledge being renewed:
- Completed Application Form
- A current Certificate of Local Knowledge
- A valid Certificate of Competency
- A valid Certificate of Medical Fitness that is required by the Certificate of Competency above
- Evidence of operational use of the Certificate within the preceding 12 months prior to the application
- 1 pilotage observation (Ship Assist tug masters only)
- Satisfactory completion of computer-based knowledge examination
- The computer-based exam consists of 25 multiple choice questions.
- At least 22 questions must be answered correctly to achieve a pass mark of 90%.
- A time limit of 30 minutes is set to complete the exam.
- Please refer to Study Guide for Applicants for further information on what to expect in the exam
- Take a practice COLK Renew exam by clicking on the link here or scan the QR code with your mobile device:
