The Maritime Training School, under the Marine and Water Bureau, is a Government-run training facility offering a wide variety of courses, ranging from “Fire-fighting Skills at Sea” and “Oil Spill Management” to “Vessel Traffic Control” and “Coastal Piloting”.

The “Coastal Piloting” training course aims to provide in-depth maritime knowledge to those who want to become licensed boatmasters.

During the course, participants learn how to operate vessels of up to 24 metres in length not more than 25 nautical miles off shore.

A course instructor introduces the inside of a boat to a group of course participants.

A course instructor explains how to operate a vessel’s equipment.

After an introductory presentation, an instructor demonstrates how to master the basic equipment in a vessel.

The “Coastal Piloting” course combines theoretical knowledge with practical training. Course participants attend a briefing before a practical training session.

Course participants are briefed on the navigation conditions in the surrounding area.

Course participants also learn how to attach a vessel’s on-board mooring lines to mooring buoys.

Apart from steering and maritime knowledge, boat-masters also need to know how to maintain their vessels. A course instructor shares useful tips and presents some tools commonly used for boat maintenance.