Day of the Seafarer – “Your Voyage – Share Your Journey”

Saturday 25 June 2022 is International Day of the Seafarer. Since its launch in 2011, the day has focused public attention on the contribution made by seafarers to the entire global community, and this year’s theme celebrates maritime voyages and journeys.

Without seafarers, there would be no global trade, and this day, every year, gives us a chance to recognize and pay tribute to seafarers everywhere, whatever their voyage.

Shipping and the call of the oceans form a way of life. It is a meaningful, important career that provides a solid foundation for life and offers endless opportunities to learn and progress. Every seafarer’s journey is different, and in the spirit of this year’s theme of ‘Your voyage – then and now, share your journey’, we are celebrating a number of Svitzer Australia employees recent training and career development accomplishments!

Michaela Moss, Training Manager – Maritime Career

Watch the video above to hear Michaela talk about her exciting maritime career on the water and onshore, her passion for diversity and training, and the exciting technological research she is currently working on as Svitzer Australia’s Training Manager.

David Kingdon – From Ship to Shore

Dave Kingdon has been appointed as our newest Fleet, Training & Audit Superintendent. Dave is a current Geraldton Master with 20 years towage experience and 35 years of maritime experience with varied vessels and propulsion systems. Apart from his experience as a Tug Master, Dave is a very valued trainer both internally and externally having formulated, delivered and assessed the near coastal masters training certificate of competency course for 10 years at TAFE. He is a formally trained escort tug master, check master and delivers the tug master contingency course in our simulator.

Congratulations Dave on taking the next step in your career and moving from ship to shore!

Kevin Sorensen – Dual Tug Master and Chief Engineer in Svitzer Brisbane

On Friday 27 May 2022 Mike Croker (left), Fleet, Training and Audit Superintendent and Check Master, signed off Kevin Sorensen (right), Chief Engineer, as Brisbane’s newest Master. Kevin has been a Chief Engineer with Svitzer since 2005, and completed his Master <35 NC certificate to pursue his career goal to be a dual Tug Master and Chief Engineer. Now he has completed the Svitzer Masters Training Manual and has been signed off he is able to support the Svitzer Brisbane operation as either a Master or Engineer going forward, currently the only employee in Svitzer Australia able to do so. 

Well done Kevin on this fantastic achievement!

Svitzer PNG facilitating sea time and training for local female cadet Natalie Matties

Svitzer PNG has been hosting deck cadet, Natalie Matties (right) on the Svitzer Vision. Natalie had already completed onshore training at the Papua New Guinea Maritime College and attained very high pass marks in all aspects of the Deck Officer Training course, but required sea time to attain her first certificate of competency.

Svitzer PNG was very pleased to engage Natalie, and she joined the Svitzer Vision in Port Moresby and was given a vessel familiarisation covering all safety aspects for life on board, led by Master, Peter McLaren (left). In addition to the Svitzer Training Record Book which all crew complete, Natalie followed the ISF Record Book for Deck Cadets curriculum. This covers the practical application of all aspects of seamanship, navigation theory, watchkeeping and ship stability.

Natalie has now completed her first month at sea and is really enjoying her practical learning experience on the Svitzer Vision!

From School Work Experience to Kwinana Lines

Jarrad Targett has always had a love for being on the water, so when he was in Year 12 in Perth and looking to do work experience it was suggested he reach out to Svitzer.

Following a successful interview Jarrad commenced his six month work experience at the Fremantle office “learning how it all worked”, before going spending time with the Fremantle and Kwinana Tugs, and our Kwinana Lines operations.

Jarrad made such a positive impression that following the completion of his work experience he was offered a 12 month traineeship with Svitzer, and when that was completed, a casual contract with Kwinana Lines. During this time Jarrad has been studying alongside his work and completed his STCW certificate of safety training, GPH and MED 2 NC certificates.

This week Jarrad was successful in passing his Master <24 NC certificate, and has further aspirations to complete his Master <35 NC certificate and one day be a Tug Master.

Congratulations Jarrad on your achievements to date including passing your Master <24 NC this week, and we look forward to you continuing your maritime career with Svitzer!

Former Svitzer Cadets now Svitzer Chief Engineers

In 2017 Svitzer facilitated the training and development of young engineering cadets to build capability within the maritime industry, supporting formal TAFE training and sea time. We are delighted to announce that following recent recruitment processes we have just engaged another former cadet as a Chief Engineer, bringing our current total to four:

• Thomas Gray, 100% Engineer, Sydney (pictured below)
• Thomas Campbell, 50% PPT Engineer, Newcastle (pictured above, right)
• Kole Tuner, 50% PPT Engineer, Newcastle (pictured above, left)
• Reece Gladys, 50% PPT Engineer, Newcastle

Congratulations to our former Svitzer cadets now Svitzer Chief Engineers!

Q+A with Thomas Gray, former Svitzer Cadet now Sydney Engineer

Why did you join the maritime industry? Were there any key influences in life that inspired you to follow your career path?

I have been attracted to the Maritime industry for as long as I can remember! My brother and I are the 5th generation of my family to work in the industry. We grew up around the ‘working’ Sydney Harbour, so I have always had an interest and passion for all things maritime! This drove me to pursue a career at sea and once qualified, in the harbour towage sector of our great industry.

What attracted you to Svitzer?

I found out about the Marine Engineers Cadetship Program, through my father who also works in the maritime industry, however I was actively seeking a Cadetship at the time! I was interested in this particular opportunity because I was familiar with Svitzer and excited about the opportunity to work for a reputable company, and the incentives such as job security that comes with working for an industry leading employer. I am very grateful to have gotten my ‘start’ in this career.

What has been a career highlight so far?

Highlights, would be obtaining my Marine Engineers Qualifications, and being a part of the dry docking of a Bulk Carrier in China, which was an unforgettable learning experience! It has also been invaluable working alongside highly skilled and knowledgeable maritime professionals, that make a large operation like Svitzer run smoothly.

What advice would you give other young people or new entrants looking to join Svitzer Australia?

The advice I would give is to remain focused on the job and your goals, don’t get distracted or deterred. You should always try to learn something new every day. Finally, have a strong work ethic, this along with continually learning on the job, will ensure you go a long way in this industry!