Day 2 of the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute (AMPI) Regional Ports & Pilotage Conference 2025 began with a morning session with the theme Critical Incident Response and Support.
Kicking off the day’s presentations was Captain John Barker, a senior pilot from Ports of Auckland, who spoke on proactive approaches to incident management.
Captain Barker explained the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore was used as a case study for examining whether a similar incident could possibly occur on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Captain Barker shared that a ship steering failure near the bridge had been simulated, with the results analysed by a contractor using methodology from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, which returned with 17 reccomendations regarding the simulated incident.
Following was Dr Phil Thompson, managing director at BMT Ship & Coastal Systems, who spoke on exploring alternative pilotage and emergency response scenarios in the Dali-Francis Scott Key bridge collision.
Dr Thomspon showed a simulation of the incident which occurred in Baltimore last year, and included additional factors to the simulation, including suggesting that if Dali had an escort tug at the time of engine failure, the crash may have been avoided.
Wendy Sullivan, director of Marine Medical Solutions Australia spoke next regarding fit-for-purpose first aid training for maritime professionals.
Sullivan explained the company’s mission is to provide effective and relevant medical emergency training for maritime professionals.
She mentioned the company had worked with Poseiden Sea Pilots at Mooloolaba to provide first aid training to its crews.
On the training the company offers, she said “The fate of the injured lies in the hands of those who apply the first bandage”, and explained that in an emergency, an individual tends to fall to their level of training.
The mid-morning session surrounded the topic of safe pilot transfer. Captain Damian Laughlin, pilot and director at Port Phillip Sea Pilots, spoke on operational resilience in regards to an incident.
Captain Laughlin shared what PPSP had learned in the wake of the Corsair grounding incident, which occurred in 2023, and of which an official ATSB report was recently released.
Sharing some details regarding the grounding and the company’s response in the immediate aftermath, Captain Laughlin said PPSP had maintained organisational resilience, in that there was no loss of life, its business continuity was upheld, and the local community rallied behind them.
Captain Laughlin thanked the community for its assistance with the cleanup after debris from the grounding washed up on the coast, and said “The grounding of the corsair was at its cause a human factored event”.
“The way PPSP has responded has ensured all of our staff are focusing on the future more than ever.”
Next was Captain Steve Banks from the New Zealand Maritime Pilots Association, who gave an emotional presentation about pilot transfer fatalities.
Captain Banks explained that non-compliant ladders are the root cause of most pilot transfer-related accidents, and stressed the importance of ensuring compliance of pilot ladders.
Captain Banks then focused on the personal element of pilot transfer fatalities, presenting the circumstances of a number of pilots around the world who had lost their lives while transferring or on the job.
He showed a video of practice man overboard recovery, and explained that prompt recovery is required to maximise the individual’s chance of survival and minimise effects from drowning, injuries, hypothermia, and/or medical events.
Captain Alan Stroud followed, from the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association, speaking on the topic of Traumatic Pilotage- Helping Your Future Self.
Captain Stroud explained that in the event of a medical incident on a pilot boat, the immediate care relies on the currency of an individual’s training, as well as the equipment and support available.
Finishing the session was Captain Pasi Paldanius, HSEQ manager at Finnpilot, a pilotage operator from Finland.
Captain Paldanius discussed an incident that occurred in 2017 in which a pilot boat capsized and two men died.
Captain Paldanius explained what modifications had been made to the company’s existing fleet since this, including additional emergency exits on both sides of 60 pilot boats, the possibility to exit from a capsized boat, water-proof emergency lighting, and repositioning of life rafts, amongst others.
The next session was on competency assurance & check pilotage. Captain John Clarke, director and marine pilot at Marine Services Western Australia began the session, discussing effective competency assurance through check pilot systems.
Captain Clarke emphasised the need to move away from “mates reviewing mates”, and said check pilots must be protected from retribution for unfavourable checks.
Dr Ben Brooks, director of Human Factors Programs at AMC Search followed, and spoke on using bridge simulators to support marine pilot recruitment.
Dr Brooks spoke about monitoring situational awareness by utilising specialised glasses that scans an individual’s gaze.
Dr Brooks explained the eye scanner detects where a pilot is looking during a transit, and monitors individual’s thinking of situational awareness, and can help understand how a person manages their gaze.
Captain Matt Shirley, director at Port Hedland Pilots spoke about check pilot independence.
Captain Shriely explained the concept of Drift, meaning the difference between what’s meant to be done and what is done.
He explained that perfect track record isn’t proof of a safe operation, but rather that people aren’t reporting things.
“No data means you don’t know your drift,” he explained. “Without the correct data you don’t know if you’re adhering to good practice”.
The day’s final session centered around industry insights and future outlook.
Kell Dillon, general manager at Marine Safety Queensland, delivered an update on various projects currently happening at the agency, including its emergency management response.
Mr Dillon discussed joining MSQ during the 2022 Brisbane floods, which resulted in a restructured emergency management team as a result. MSQ also worked to manage the effects of the recent Cyclone Alfred, which caused damage to some areas of South-East Queensland.
One of MSQ’s current initiatives is regarding pilot transfer ladder adherence to key requirements, reflecting IMO and AMSA regulations as required.
Thomas Hough is a senior meteorologist, and delivered an Autumn/Winter seasonal outlook, which included the current state of the climate, and an outlook on rain and temperature across Australia, including possible upcoming weather patterns.
Mr Hough explained that Australia is currently in a light La Niña, but won’t be for long.
The final speaker for the day was Alison Cusack, an industry and education partnership co-ordinator at AMC search.
Alison commended pilots as the “leaders of the maritime industry across the board”, stating pilotage “is the most merit based group of professionals across any sector”, and are integral to keep the world’s economy moving.
Alison took the opportunity to thank pilots and the job they do for maritime, and thanked their passion, explaining millions of people rely on them without knowing it.
The conference formalities were concluded with a final address from President Josephine Clark, who reiterated that AMPI’s mission is to promote and lobby for high standards of safety in marine pilotage, which is all for the benefit of pilots as individuals.
