Working on the harbour of his youth
Q What jobs did you do before this one?
A I was a skipper on a commercial fishing boat, a freight boat between Bluff and Stewart Island, a skipper on various charter and delivery boats, and the manager at Waste Management in Wanaka.
Q Why did you choose this job?
A I was born and raised in Careys Bay as a kid, and I played around in boats, sailed, went fishing and explored around the harbour area. Going fishing was a natural path for me to follow.
Q How did you get into the job and when?
A I started working at Port Otago
in January 2002 as a B Register Cadet. When I was asked: ‘‘Where do you see yourself in five years,’’ I said, ‘‘Over on the tugboats.’’ I started as a relief deckhand on the tugs and pilot launch. Then I transferred to fulltime deckhand and relief pilot coxswain on the launch.Then I was promoted to a general boat operator.
Q What qualifications and training did you need?
A I have qualifications as a skipper on coastal fishing boats, an engineer local motor ship (Mec 5) qualification, a radar ticket, a radio operation ticket, and I’ve done working at heights, enclosed spaces, leadership courses.
Q What personal skills do you need?
A You need to be able to function
pressure and be able to manage the vessel crew, especially when it is at 0200hrs in the morning, blowing a gale and you are tired. You also need to learn to manage long hours and deal with contractors.
Are there any physical requirements?
A You need to keep reasonably fit watch what food you eat. You need to eat healthily because it is very easy to have junk food in this job.
Q What is the most challenging aspect of the job?
A Keeping focused, and carrying out the pilot’s orders as quickly as possible without fuss or bother.
Q What is the most interesting assignment you have had?
A The strangest thing I’ve had to do is pull a couple of ships off the banks. Q What are the particular health and safety issues in your industry?
A Working all different hours, day and night. Q How has the job changed since started?
A The type of tugs we have has changed. They range in age from our 30yearold tugs to our newer, more powerful tugs with the latest technology on board. Q What’s something people generally don’t know about the job?
A That there is no steering wheel, just two levers to control the units (propellers) independently. They are powered by two Caterpillar diesel engines which pump out 2500hp each. Q What are the highs of the job?
A When everything goes to plan and you have the tug dancing on the end of a string. Q What are the lows of the job?
A The unsocial hours of shift work.
Q What is the salary?
A The salary ranges between $70,000 per year to $100,000 per year. Q Where will you be 10 years from now?
A Almost retired, maybe.