Port Authority of New South Wales

Requirements for a Marine Pilot Exemption Certificate

Eligibility

To be issued with a Marine Pilotage Exemption Certificate, the applicant must:

• hold a Certificate of Competency that authorises the applicant to be a Master of the vessel to which the application relates; and
• have satisfactorily completed the training required by the Code and pass the examination set by the Port Authority; and
• provide evidence, in accordance with the Code, that the applicant is competent to carry out unsupervised movements of the vessel in the pilotage port to which the Certificate applies to the satisfaction of the Harbour Master of that pilotage port; and
• meet the health requirements set out in the Certificate of Competency in respect of a Master for the vessel to which the application relates; and
• be the Master of the vessel to which the certificate relates.

Documentation and Experience

The following supporting documentation is required in order for a MPEC to be issued:

a) The applicant must provide a copy of a valid Certificate of Competency that authorises the applicant to be the Master of the vessel to which the application relates.

b) The applicant must provide a copy of a valid Certificate of Medical Fitness, as required for the Certificate of Competency held by the applicant.

c) During the period of 6 months immediately prior to the application the applicant should have completed:

i) A minimum of 6 pilotage passages as Master, or 4 pilotage passages as Master & 4 pilotage passages as Chief Officer on the bridge, in the relevant

ii) At least three of the above piloted passages as Master must be during the hours of darkness of which one must be an inward & one an outward

iii)  two ‘supervised pilotage passages’ (e. conduct the pilotage of the vessel under the instruction/supervision of an unlimited licenced Marine Pilot) as Master, of which one must be at night, for the purposes of becoming familiar with the port and being able to competently pilot and handle the vessel

iv) one of the supervised passages may be undertaken concurrently with the passages referred to in paragraph c) i) above

v) Pilotage passages must be on the vessel to which the application

vi) Pilotage passages must be to or from the berth or berths normally used by the ship to which the application

vii) A pilotage passage shall mean – one inward or one outward passage through the

viii) For the purpose of this paragraph, the pilotage passages as Chief Officer referred to in paragraph c) i) above will only be valid if supported by a statement from the Marine Pilot involved in that passage that the officer was actually in a position to understudy the Master.

d) The applicant must supply evidence of an inward and outward passage on board a tug of the type that would be used by the vessel to which the application relates.

e) The applicant must complete induction training for the This training will include information on the various risks within the port, the ports emergency response capability & the port’s vessel booking system (ShIPS).

Examination for a Marine Pilotage Exemption Certificate

Examination Summary

a) Applicants are to be examined by the Harbour Master or his/her appointed delegate to ensure compliance with the qualification, medical fitness & knowledge of the port requirements of the regulations & the code.

b) The examination will consist of the following three sections, conducted in accordance with the examination procedures, as approved by the Harbour Master, all of which must be successfully completed to obtain an MPEC:

 The filling in of details on a blank chart (described below)

i) Written Section: The filling in of details on a blank chart (described below)

ii) Oral Examination Section: Satisfying the examiner of the candidate’s knowledge of the Harbour Master’s Directions for Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay & relevant legislation & regulations, by way of an oral examination

iii) Ship Handling Skills Section: Master’s practical demonstration of ship handling skills as audited by a check pilot - Applicants cannot proceed to the final ship handling section of the examination until the first two sections, above, have been successfully completed

Written Section

a) The candidate will be given a blank copy of a chart of Sydney Harbour or Botany Bay which shows the outline of the foreshores & islands & the position of beacons & buoys.

b) The following details are to be inserted on the:

i) Chart of Sydney Harbour, from the ‘Heads’ to Pulpit Point, OR
ii) Chart of Botany Bay, from the ‘Heads’ to Brotherson Dock & Hayes Dock, including all the Kurnell berths & airport runway areas.

c) Candidates are required to complete the blank chart showing:

i) Names of bays, headlands & points,
ii) Navigational marks including leading marks with their descriptions, light characteristics & fog signals,
iii) Depths from the 5 metre contour,
iv) Berth numbers and their location,
v) Depths at berths & shipping channels,
vi) Position of submarine cables & pipelines,
vii) Reporting points & speed zones,
viii) Courses & distances to make good, inward & outward,
ix) Prohibited areas for anchoring, restricted areas, naval waters & heights under bridges.

d) The candidate should display a thorough knowledge of the relevant sections in the Harbour Master’s Directions for Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay.

e) A pass mark of 90% is required for the examination.

f) Candidates are reminded that while the chart (similar to AUS200 / AUS198) they are asked to complete is of slightly different scale than those navigational charts available, the information required to be entered is that contained on the sectional charts of Sydney Harbour & the largest scale chart of Botany Bay. Information drawn on the chart should be neatly & carefully depicted.

g) Candidates can obtain charts covering east, central & western areas of the Port of Sydney, i.e. AUS201, 202 & 203, & of Botany Bay, i.e. AUS196 & AUS199, from a reputable nautical supply shop.

h) Copies of the relevant blank charts can be purchased from the Port Authority of New South Wales by filling in the payment form and emailing to:

d) The candidate should display a thorough knowledge of the relevant sections in the Harbour Master’s Directions for Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay.

e) A pass mark of 90% is required for the examination.

f) Candidates are reminded that while the chart (similar to AUS200 / AUS198) they are asked to complete is of slightly different scale than those navigational charts available, the information required to be entered is that contained on the sectional charts of Sydney Harbour & the largest scale chart of Botany Bay. Information drawn on the chart should be neatly & carefully depicted.

g) Candidates can obtain charts covering east, central & western areas of the Port of Sydney, i.e. AUS201, 202 & 203, & of Botany Bay, i.e. AUS196 & AUS199, from a reputable nautical supply shop.

h) Copies of the relevant blank charts can be purchased from the Port Authority of New South Wales by filling in the payment form and emailing [email protected]

Oral Examination Section

a) Any of the previously mentioned matters not covered in chartwork may be raised. However, generally, the oral examination will be a test of the candidate’s knowledge of the Harbour Master’s Directions for Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay, & the relevant legislation.

b) Knowledge of the following is required:

i) Harbour Master’s Directions for Sydney Harbour & Botany Bay,
ii) Standard marine communication phrases,
iii) VHF practice on approach,
iv) Reporting points within the port,
v) Information available from Sydney Ports Vessel Traffic Services (VTS),
vi) NSW Marine Safety Act 1998,
vii) NSW Marine Safety Regulation 2016,
viii) Use of tugboats.

c) In view of the high traffic densities now experienced in Sydney Harbour particular attention will be paid to the candidate’s knowledge of usual shipping & ferry routes & their appreciation of the maneuverability of the types of vessel which will be encountered, as well as the capabilities of their own craft.

d) While traffic density is lower in Botany Bay, than in Sydney Harbour, the candidate will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the particular manoeuvring areas used by the typical large ships which use the Kurnell & Port Botany areas of Botany Bay, & to have an appreciation of their handling characteristics.

e) A candidate should expect the examination to take an entire morning or afternoon so that an early start on the chartwork will be required.

Upon successful completion of the written and oral sections of the examination the applicant will be presented with a Certificate of Examination for Marine Pilotage Exemption Certificate. This certificate is to be presented to the Check Pilot conducting the final part of the examination.

Application of Ship Handling Skills

a) This section of the examination cannot be undertaken until the other two sections have been successfully completed.

b) An ‘audit’ – i.e. conducting the pilotage of the vessel under the supervision of a Check Pilot, as an audit - on an inward and outward passage is required.

c) For the purpose of this section the candidate, when under observation for ship handling shall be considered to be under compulsory pilotage. Whilst the Check Pilot will have conduct of the vessel in case of emergency, the Master being audited will be given ample opportunity to display his/her skills in handling his/her vessel when manoeuvring in the port’s waterways and berth at its wharves. Port procedures, port passage planning, tug orders and placements, Bridge Resource Management and all factors pertaining to exempt pilotage will come under scrutiny. The results of the audits will be given to the applicant.

The MPEC shall be issued up successful completion of the above requirements and payment of the applicable fee.

Study Guides

• Acts and Regulations
• Harbour Master’s Directions - In force from 15 February 2022
• Notice to Mariners
• Berths and Channels Information
• Navigation in Sydney Cove
• Vessel Traffic Services
• Sydney Harbour AUS Chart 200
• Port Botany AUS Charts 196 and 198
• Boating maps for NSW Waterways:  Maps - Navigation and communication - Using waterways - Maritime - Roads and Waterways – Transport for NSW
• You can purchase AUS digital charts from Hydrographic Office: Australian Hydrographic Office - AusChartviewer

Fees

• New application $528.00 
• Renew application $264.00
• Payment can be processed on the day:  We accept Visa/MasterCard
• https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2016/308/sch11

Taking the test (Written and Oral)

Once you have studied and you are ready to book a time and date to do the exam, contact:
phone: + 61 2 9296 4910
email: [email protected]

At your booked time, you will need to go to:
Brotherson House,
Gate B103 Penrhyn Road
Port Botany NSW 2036

You will need to provide a completed application form and supporting documents.

Maintain Validity

In order to maintain validity of an MPEC:

a) The holder must provide the Harbour Master or his/her appointed delegate the following every 12 months:

i) A copy of the current MPEC.
ii) A copy of a valid Certificate of Competency that authorises the applicant to be master of the vessel nominated on the MPEC.
iii) A copy of a valid Certificate of Medical Fitness that is required by the Certificate of Competency above.
iv) Records showing a minimum of one inwards & one outwards passages every 12 months.

b) The performance of a Pilot Exempt Master shall be checked during a pilotage passage by a Check Pilot at intervals not exceeding 12 months. Upon completion of a successful audit the Pilot Exempt Master will be provided with an Exempt Master Performance Check Report

c) Upon successful completion of paragraphs a) & b) above, the MPEC holder is to make an appointment for an interview with the Harbour Master or his/her delegate. The completed Exempt Master Performance Check Report is to be brought along to this interview

Renew

An MPEC is valid for two years and is to be renewed by the second anniversary of the granting of the certificate or date of renewal.
In order to renew an MPEC, the holder must:

a) Complete the application form

b) Pay the applicable fee

c) Provide the Harbour Master or his/her appointed delegate the following:

i) A copy of the current MPEC.
ii) A copy of a valid Certificate of Competency that authorises the applicant to be Master of the vessel nominated on the MPEC.
iii) A copy of a valid Certificate of Medical Fitness that is required by the Certificate of Competency above.
iv) Records showing at least one passage into and out of the port during the 6 months immediately prior to the renewal date as Master of the vessel nominated in the Marine Pilotage Exemption Certificate above
v) If the certificate is endorsed for a number of berths, then records showing at least one passage to and from each berth during the 12 months immediately prior to the renewal date as Master of the vessel nominated in the MPEC.
vi) Records showing at least one passage into or out of the port during the 6 months immediately prior to the renewal date as Master of the vessel nominated in the Marine Pilotage Exemption Certificate undertaken during the hours of darkness.
vii) If the certificate is endorsed for a number of berths, then records showing at least one passage to or from each berth during the 12 months immediately prior to the renewal date as Master of the vessel nominated in the Marine Pilotage Exemption Certificate undertaken during the hours of darkness.
viii) Copies of Exempt Master Performance Check Reports, as evidence of one inward and one outward audit being conducted every 12 months.
ix) A copy of the report of the annual interview with the Harbour Master or his/her appointed delegate.