Examination for the issue of a license of a Maritime Pilot on Probation 2024

The Authority for Transport in Malta (Authority) notifies that the Pilotage Board (Board) established in terms of the Maritime Pilotage Regulations (SL 499.26) (Regulations) will be conducting an examination for the issue of a Licence to serve as a Trainee Pilot.

Candidates who are awarded a Trainee Pilot Licence will conduct the mandatory training with the Malta Maritime Pilots Coop. (Service Provider) and remunerated during the traineeship by the Service Provider.

Trainee Pilots who complete the traineeship and satisfy the provisions as prescribed in the Regulations shall qualify for a Licence to serve as a pilot. The Service Provider will accept as a member a Pilot as soon as he/she has obtained the Licence.

The procedure for the eventual award of a Pilot Licence shall be conducted as follows:

1) Application and Eligibility
2) Medical assessment (Physical & Mental)
3) Written and Oral Examination
4) Traineeship

1. Application & Eligibility

Application consisting of a motivation letter and an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) using the standard Europass template.

Application to include following:

(i) Proof that the applicant is not less than twenty-three years of age and not over forty years of age on the closing date of the submission of applications: Public Registry Birth Certificate or equivalent required.

(ii) Satisfactory evidence of good character and sobriety of conduct: The full and complete Criminal Record (fedina penali) required.

(iii) Produces satisfactory evidence that he/she has served as an officer for not less than three years on ships of 2,000 GT and over: Supporting documentation in the form Seaman Discharge Book, Discharge Certificates or equivalent.

(iv) Is able to read, write and speak Maltese and English fluently: Declared clearly in CV under personal skills.

(v) Is in possession of a valid driving licence: to include a copy.

(vi) Applicants must possess one of the following qualifications in the following order of priority:

a) Certificate of competency of a Master of a ship of 3,000 GT or more without limitations (STCW Regulation II/2) issued by the Authority in terms of the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations, as amended;

b) Equivalent certificate to (a) issued by the relevant authority of a Flag State that is party to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Services, 1978 as amended;

c) A certificate of competency of Chief Mate of a ship of 3,000 GT or more without limitations (STCW Regulation II/2) issued by the Authority in terms of the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations, as amended;

d) An equivalent certificate to (c) issued by the relevant authority of a Flag State that is party to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 as amended.

2. Medical Assessment (Physical and Mental)

Applicants who satisfy the Application and Eligibility criteria will need to undertake a Medical Fitness Assessment and be declared as physically and mentally fit to serve as a Pilot by a Medical Board appointed by the Authority. This is to ensure that the applicant does not have any condition that could jeopardise or hinder the safe conduct of pilotage operations.

The Medical Fitness Assessment will include a psychometric/psychological examination conducted by a Specialist appointed by the Authority.

3. Written and Oral Examination

Applicants who satisfy the application and eligibility criteria and pass the Medical Fitness Assessment shall sit for a written and oral examination based on the syllabus published in conjunction with this call.

Each applicant shall pay the Authority a €50 examination fee.

Applicants who are successful in the written and oral examination will be subject to a formal interview conducted by the Board.

The Board will notify the Authority of the list of successful candidates by order of merit.

4. Traineeship

Successful candidates selected to fill the vacancies will be issued with a Licence to serve as a Trainee Pilot. Such Licence may include conditions as the Authority, on the advice of the Board, deems fit. The Licence shall be valid for a period of six months from the date of issue, during which the Trainee Pilot needs to carry out the mandatory training and acquire the knowledge as prescribed in regulation 12 of the Regulations.

A Trainee Pilot who satisfies all the traineeship criteria will be issued with a Maritime Pilot Licence and be entitled to become a member of the Service Provider.

Applications are to be addressed as follows:

Examination for the issue of a Licence to serve as a Trainee Pilot 2024

The Secretary to the Chief Officer, Maritime Affairs, Transport Malta, Malta Transport Centre, Triq Pantar, Ħal Lija LJA2021, by not later than15 July 2024.

Applicants may also apply via an email to: dorianne.a.vella@transport.gov.mt. Late applications shall not be considered.

Applicants who call personally at the office of the Secretary the Authority for Transport in Malta, Triq Pantar, Ħal Lija to submit their application shall be given a receipt. Applications which arrive by post should be sent by Registered Post to ensure safe receipt. These applications shall be acknowledged accordingly.