In a first for Port Taranaki, and what is believed to be a landmark moment for all New Zealand ports, a pilot launch or tug has been operated by an all-female crew.
Long-time Port Taranaki launch master Andrea Chadfield and recently qualified marine deck crew Aleisha Pelham reported for their first official seven-day launch vessel shift together on Thursday morning.
And while their first shipping movement was delayed twice, finally at 5am yesterday (Friday), they motored out on pilot launch Mikotahi and safely removed pilot Neill MacKean from tanker Aliakmon as it left Port Taranaki.
“It was great. We had a big northerly swell going through and had to go out and do a sweep, so there was a little bit more action than usual for an outward bound vessel. But the pilot was very happy and complimented Aleisha on her work helping him off the vessel safely,” says Andrea.
Andrea and Aleisha, whose shift includes carrying out general launch maintenance and handling all shipping movements for the week, now hope that their history-making moment will encourage other girls and women to consider a career in the maritime industry.
“It’s really exciting,” says Aleisha. “It’s been a hard and long journey for females to get into the marine industry, so it feels like we’re setting a precedent.”
“It’s amazing, really,” adds Andrea. “It’s a male-dominated industry, so I just really didn’t know if this would ever be possible – yet here we are.
“Hopefully we’re paving the way for the new generation of women with a passion for life on the water and they see that there are opportunities for women to work in these roles.”
Aleisha joined the port as a casual member of the communications and security team, before recently obtaining a Qualified Deck Crew Certificate and being added to the marine deck crew roster. The job involves deckhand work of pulling up and letting go of the vessel alongside the wharf, being another set of eyes for the launch master, and assisting the pilots off and on the visiting ship.
Andrea is the daughter of well-known local skipper Dave Chadfield, formerly of Chaddy’s Charters, and spent time working with her father before joining Port Taranaki about 17 years ago. As pilot launch master she must carefully navigate the launch alongside the visiting ship and hold position as the pilot is assisted on or off.
And, do they work well together?
“Of course,” laughs Andrea. “It’s awesome – you couldn’t ask for a better team.”
“We thrive off each other,” adds Aleisha. “Andrea set the pathway for me so it’s great to be working with her.”
Port Taranaki chief executive Simon Craddock says it’s a fantastic moment for the port and Andrea and Aleisha.
“Andrea and Aleisha are both hard-working and dedicated so it’s great that they’ve made this bit of history together. Congratulations to them both – I’m sure they’ll make a wonderful team,” he says.
“At Port Taranaki we have women in positions across the entire operation – from on the water and wharfside to engineering and executive leadership. We hope that Andrea and Aleisha’s story will encourage more girls and women to see the maritime industry as a potential career path.”
Photo: Aleisha Pelham, left, and Andrea Chadfield onboard Port Taranaki launch Mikotahi during their first shift together.
