The Port Phillip Sea Pilots have a long and proud history of service spanning 160 years.
The first registered pilots, George Tobin and Thomas Sutton were granted pilot's licences in 1839,
although George Tobin is reported to have been providing a pilotage
service prior to that date.
Since 1839, pilot services have been provided to ships bound for Melbourne, Geelong or Westernport Bay by the Port
Phillip Sea Pilots, an organisation fully owned and
operated by the pilots themselves. The company provides
its services to shipping 24 hours a day, every day.
Port
Phillip Bay - Melbourne/Geelong/Western Port.
Melbourne pilots are
experienced ex-ship
Masters with
extensive local knowledge of the channels, depth of
water, currents and dangers within and around the port
for which they are licensed. A pilot is responsible for
the safe conduct and navigation of the ship from the time
he takes control from the ship's Master after boarding at
sea, until the vessel is safely moored at the wharf, or
vice versa. This includes all steering and engine orders,
the placement of tugs and direct orders to the tugs by
portable VHF radio.
The original pilots camped
on the beach at Queenscliff on the site of the present
Pilot Station, and were taken to and from ships by 30ft.
whaleboats which were often manned by convicts, Today the
pilots board from a fleet of six fast pilot launches. The
pilot boarding ground for Port Phillip lies 3 to 5 miles
south-west from the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. The
control centre at the Queenscliff Pilot Station is
equipped with radar and VHF, and is manned at all times
by Master Pilots. The pilots work a roster system of two
weeks on and one week off, and they take it in turns for
a week as pilot in charge of the Queenscliff Station.
Pilotage is compulsory for
all vessels over 35 metres L.O.A bound for or
leaving from berths in Port Phillip and Westernport Bays,
except for coastal vessels whose Masters hold a current
Exemption Certificate.
Pilot launch George Tobin, named after the first Port
Phillip Pilot
At the Queenscliff marina, the powerful launches used by the pilot's
service can be seen at the dock opposite the maintenance facility managed
by the Port Phillip Sea Pilots.
Pilot launch Hawk IV docked at Queenscliff
When an incoming vessel requires a pilot, radio contact is made with
the service. A launch is used to convey the pilot outside the Heads where
the pilot boards the vessel and takes control until the vessel docks at
Melbourne or Geelong.
Pilot launch approaching an outbound container vessel
off Point Lonsdale
Vessels embarking on an outwards journey are often accompanied by pilots
as well, and the launches are used to recover the pilot from the vessel
once it is clear of the heads.
Three pilot launches moored at the Queenscliff Marina
Port Phillip Sea Pilot Vessel At Work
Port Phillip Sea Pilot Vessel Leaving The Trecherous Heads