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 Regulation and NSW Marine Pilotage Code.
Certificates of Local Knowledge have a validity of five years with annual validation required.
Certificates of Local Knowledge are required for masters of commercial vessels between 30 meters and 80 meters Length Overall (LOA).
Certificates of Local Knowledge will only be valid for the type of vessel stated on the Certificate of Competency held by the Master at the time of issue.
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.
