Pilotage exemption certificates

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Apply for towage certificate

You can apply for a towage pilotage exemption certificate (PEC) by email.

It must be emailed to PEC@nt.gov.au or it will not be processed.

Before you apply

To apply for a towage pilotage exemption certificate you must have a record of trips within 12 months immediately before the application showing all of the following:

completed not less than four voyages through the compulsory pilotage area of the Port with a licensed pilot, in command of tug and barge combination of the maximum LOA the application is made for
or completed not less than:
- six voyages through the compulsory pilotage area of the Port as chief mate (on duty on the bridge throughout the entire voyage) on a tug and barge combination of the maximum LOA the application is made for
- and one voyage through the compulsory pilotage area of the Port with a licensed pilot, in command of the tug and barge combination of the maximum LOA the application is made for.

If you have a PEC

Step 1: Application

Fill in the pilotage exemption certificate application form PDF (305.2 KB) and submit this with the documents listed above to PEC@nt.gov.au.

The application will not be accepted unless all documentation is submitted with the application and complete.

Step 2: Pay invoice

The invoice will be forwarded to the address included in your application form. Please see the fees and charges page for further information.

Step 3: Examination

Once an application has been approved, you must apply for an examination time. The examination will be held at Level 2, Energy House, Cavenagh Street, Darwin.

For towage examination criteria please read Section 14.3 of the pilotage standards:

Pilotage standards PDF (1.7 MB)
Pilotage standards DOCX (656.8 KB)

Step 4: Pilot assessment

On completion of the exam a minimum of 24 hours is required for marking and on forwarding to the Pilotage Service Provider.

No Pilot assessments will be accepted until marking of the examination is complete.

To book Pilot assessment please email shipping@darwinport.com.au and CC PEC@nt.gov.au.

During the Pilot assessments there will be an oral examination covering specific towage requirements.

Once two Pilot assessments have been successfully completed a PEC number will be given or your existing certificate will be upgraded and an electronic certificate emailed.

If you don't have a PEC

Step 1: Application

You must fill in the pilotage exemption certificate application form PDF (305.2 KB) and submit this with the documents listed above to PEC@nt.gov.au.

The application will not be accepted unless all documentation is submitted with the application and complete.

Step 2: Invoice

The invoice will be forwarded to the address included in your application form. Please see the fees and charges page for further information.

Step 3: Examination

Once an application has been approved, you must apply for an examination time.

The examination will be held at Level 2, Energy House, Cavenagh Street, Darwin.

For examination criteria please read Sections 12.2, 13.1 and 14.3 of the pilotage standards:

Pilotage standards PDF (1.7 MB)
Pilotage standards DOCX (656.8 KB)

Step 4: Pilot assessment

The exam will take at least 24 hours to mark.

No Pilot assessments will be accepted until marking of the examination is complete.

To book Pilot assessment please email shipping@darwinport.com.au and CC PEC@nt.gov.au.

During the Pilot assessments there will be an oral examination covering general navigation and specific towage requirements.

Once two pilot assessments have been successfully completed a PEC number will be given or your existing certificate will be upgraded and an electronic certificate emailed.