Full steam ahead
Name: Ryan Hodges
Job: Skipper TSS Earnslaw
What jobs did you do before this one?
Ski instructor.
Why did you choose this job?
I love being on the water and boating.
How did you get into it and when?
I contacted Real Journeys and told them I was keen to go through the process of getting my skipper’s tickets. I convinced them to give me a job as a vessel assistant on the Earnslaw in 2012, which enabled me to start building sea service time. I then worked my way through the different tickets from there.
What qualifications and training did you need?
To skipper the Earnslaw you need your Skipper Restricted Limits <
500 Tonnes ticket. You also need a good amount of boathandling experience.
What personal skills do you need?
Great people skills, attention to detail and a strong safety focus.
Any physical requirements?
There is a medical examination required every two years that requires skippers to be in good physical health and you cannot be colour blind.
What do you do on a daily basis?
Taking responsibility for the safety of up to 400 guests and crew every sailing. Doing all the berthing and handling of the Earnslaw, delivering the commentary, checking that the crew are doing their job correctly, and crew training when needed.
What is the most challenging aspect?
Berthing the vessel on windy days and managing the loading and unloading of up to 400 guests in (sometimes) a short window or turnaround.
Are there any particular health and safety issues?
Real Journeys has strong health and safety procedures. You are on a 107yearold vessel, so you have to always be on your toes.
What is the most interesting assignment you've had?
Having [former Prime Minister] John Key on the Earnslaw.
How has the job changed since you started?
The number of people travelling on the Earnslaw has definitely increased. One of the great things about the Earnslaw is that she hasn’t changed much.
What's something people generally don't know about the job?
Most people are blown away when they see we are still operating the original telegraph system.
What are the highs of the job?
Showing people, especially kids, around a special piece of New Zealand’s maritime history. Having that open engine room is really neat. You can see the coal going into the boilers, the flames burning to make the steam. You can follow the steam lines to the engines and watch them turning around. Even people with limited mechanical knowledge start to get it, and people who are regular travellers with us don’t seem to tire of it either.
What are the lows of the job?
On poor weather days we get restricted for space and seating.
What's the strangest thing you've had to do?
Struggling to get a good answer on this!
Where will you be 10 years from now?
A business owner/operator.