Port of Melbourne Pilotage - Vocabulary Flashcards
Port of Melbourne Pilotage - Questions & Answers - 2024
Important Information for Applicants
This document must be read in conjunction with the following:
- Harbour Master's Directions and Port Information – Ports Victoria (ports.vic.gov.au)
- Marine Standard 6.3 Training & Certification of Pilot Exempt Masters for Victorian Ports (safetransport.vic.gov.au)
- Determination: Licensing and training requirements for marine pilots in Victorian ports (safetransport.vic.gov.au)
- Victorian Tide Tables
- Victorian Notices to Mariners (or their equivalent)
- The Australian Pilot Vol II (N.P14)
- List of Lights and Fog Signals Vol K
- Marine Safety Act 2010
- Channel and Berth Information for the Port of Melbourne – available in HMD and PIG
Examination Structure:
- Conducted orally and in two parts:
- Part 1: Covers the notes provided in this document.
- Part 2: Examines general ship handling, port knowledge, and several scenario-based questions.
Examination Timeline:
- A candidate should allow up to 4 weeks for examination after submitting a completed application form and the associated documents to Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic).
Confidentiality Notice:
- The document is current at the time of receipt. It should not be shared with potential applicants. A current document can be provided at any time by ST Vic.
Section 1 – Sea to Hovell Pile
Master Pilot Information Exchange (MPX)
- Key Information to Communicate During MPX:
- Pilot brief on Passage Plan:
- Discuss the inclusion of items from section 5 of IMO Resolution A960.
- Vessel Reporting Requirements: Report to Lonsdale/Melbourne VTS on VHF Channel 12.
- Pilot Briefing on Vessel Details:
- Verbal briefing on vessel's peculiarities, manoeuvring characteristics, and current status.
- Determine if the vessel is considered ‘low-powered’ (unable to attain a service speed of 12 knots or if the engine is subject to auto slowdown). Verify auto slowdown against anticipated tidal stream effects.
- Status of Equipment:
- Confirm the status of Bridge Equipment and advise any deficiencies/errors.
- Anchor Readiness:
- Ensure that anchors are cleared and ready for use.
- Engine and Steering Gear Readiness:
- Confirm engines are ready for immediate manoeuvering and steering gear is fully operational.
- Vessel Monitoring:
- Confirm that the Master will closely monitor vessel progress and regularly fix positions.
- Ensure that the Pilot's advice is understood and carried out.
- Look-out Maintenance:
- Confirm adequate look-out is maintained at all times.
- Berthing Plan Discussion:
- Discuss mooring arrangements and tug requirements.
- Pilot Ladder and Gangway Rigging:
- Confirm inward bound vessel has prepared pilot ladder/gangway on the seaward side (as necessary).
- Outward bound vessel to prepare pilot ladder on lee ward side, including positioning lookout in all blind zones.
Pilot Boarding Grounds
- Locations:
- By Launch: 5 nautical miles SW of Point Lonsdale
- By Helicopter: 10 nautical miles SW of Point Lonsdale
Vessel Type Restrictions in Fairway
- Types of Vessels Prohibited from Passing Another (LOA ≥ 50 m):
- Tanker
- Cruise vessel
- Vessel constrained to the Great Ship Channel (including all DUKC vessels)
- Hampered vessel
- Vessel requesting one-way transit
- Notable Exceptions:
- Permitted coastal vessels listed below may pass, provided they are inbound, east of the Great Ship Channel, and have prior agreement from the master and Lonsdale VTS.
- Tasmanian Achiever II
- Victorian Reliance II
- Liekut
- Searoad Mersey II
- Spirit of Tasmania I
- Spirit of Tasmania II
- Priority Handling:
- Outbound vessels have the priority to proceed when inbound and outbound vessels converge at the Fairway Through Port Phillip Heads.
- Inbound vessels must not enter the Fairway until the outbound vessel has exited.
Vessel Reporting Requirements (Inbound)
- Mandatory Reporting Point: 3 nautical miles from Point Lonsdale.
- Seek clearance to enter the Fairway Through Port Phillip Heads.
- Report the vessel's maximum draught.
- Provide the name of the pilot (or if applicable, the trainee pilot or master if pilot exempt).
- Advisable vessel’s intended route, including shipping channel for transit.
- Additional advisories for:
- Vessels constrained to the Great Ship Channel
- One-way passage requests
- Low powered status (if applicable)
- VHF Radio Communications:
- Maintain VHF communications through Lonsdale VTS when south of latitude 38° 05’ S.
- Use Melbourne VTS when north of latitude 38° 05' S.
Continuous Listening Watch Requirement
- Masters must ensure heightened awareness by maintaining a listening watch on VHF Channel 12 while in port waters, regardless of vessel state (underway, at anchor, or moored).
Information Required When Passing Port Phillip Heads
- Provide the following to Lonsdale VTS:
- ETA to Hovell Pile.
- ETA to Fawkner Beacon (Melbourne) or Point Richards Beacon (Geelong) or Outer Anchorage.
- Nominate the preferred anchorage if applicable, especially if transiting west of the Spoil Ground.
- Report the number of tugs needed for berthing.
- If proceeding to Webb Dock West, communicate if strong wind warnings are not issued and intent to use storm bollards.
Notice to Mariners
- Provide details of the most recent Notice to Mariners at the time of assessment, including at least the last 4 notices (e.g., 87 (T) 2021 - VPCM - Revised Berth and Swing Basins information in HMD April 6, 2021).
Light Signal Descriptions (Point Lonsdale)
Tide Stream Signal:
- Meaning of light signals indicating tidal stream:
- Flood stream:
- First half: One green light
- Second half: Two green lights
- Ebb stream:
- First half: One red light
- Second half: Two red lights
Night-Time Signals from Point Lonsdale:
- Fixed Red-Green-Red (Vertical Line):
- Do not enter the Fairway through Port Phillip Heads (all vessels inbound/outbound).
- Flashing Green Light:
- Do not enter for inbound vessels only.
- Flashing Red Light:
- Do not enter for outbound vessels only.
Heads Tidal Stream Restrictions
- Notations for vessels transiting the Fairway