THE Australasian Marine Pilots Institute has announced the opening of a new mentoring program for registrations, for both mentees and mentors.

The Maritime Mentoring Program is a new joint initiative between the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute, The Nautical Institute and the Company of Master Mariners of Australia.

The program was developed to bridge the gap between new entrants to the maritime industry and the senior maritime professionals who are already established in their careers.

“It can be difficult for someone new to the industry to understand the numerous pathways for career development, for instance how does one become a harbour pilot, a VTS operator, a maritime claims investigator or a shipping company operations manager?” AMPI said in a statement.

“These are questions that an experienced maritime professional can easily answer.”

“A significant number of maritime events are held throughout Australia every year and it would be great to see mentors bringing their mentees to these events and helping them to network whilst supporting them in that next step towards achieving greatness,” AMPI said.

The mentoring program has been in development for around eight months with particular support from the President of The Nautical Institute, Jillian Carson-Jackson, Captain Jeanine Drummond and Captain Patrick Walsh.

“We have taken inspiration from the highly successful Honourable Company of Master Mariners mentoring scheme in the United Kingdom where Captain Brian Cushing has kindly provided guidance on the issues that they have faced and methods to overcome them,” AMPI said.

“We have purposely elected to have only one pre-requisite to become a mentee and that is to be a member of one of the participating organisations – The Nautical Institute, Company of Master Mariners of Australia or the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute.

“Our program is completely free, all that we ask is for motivation and dedication from both parties.”

Mentees and mentors alike are able to register using the online registration form from 31 May 2021.

For more information on the Maritime Mentoring Program visit: www.ampi.org.au/mentoring

Mentee Eligibility:

  • Associate Member of the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute
  • Member, Associate Member or Student Member of the Nautical Institute
  • Member of the Company of Master Mariners of Australia.
  • In addition, you must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident.