We’re in Wellington to Empower the Next Generation of Mariners

In today’s world, where sustainability and innovation are paramount, we at Skipper Training NZ are proud to be at the forefront of the maritime industry. We’ve recently set sail for Wellington to deliver our Skipper Restricted Limits (SRL) Gap course, all thanks to an invitation from East by West Ferries. This company, known for its deep commitment to sustainability, made history by operating the first electric ferry in the southern hemisphere.

Our Director and Tutor, Milo Coldren, along with Captain Valentino Lobo, were excited to answer this call from the industry. “Being in Wellington is a fantastic opportunity,” Milo said. “We’re honoured to contribute to the professional development of the East by West Ferries crew, a team that’s truly dedicated to sustainability and innovation.”

While East by West Ferries is making strides with its electric ferry, we’re on our own mission: to deliver practical maritime training in New Zealand. We prioritise practicality and the needs of the industry and our students. Both Milo and Valentino personally teach our small classes, ensuring each of our students, limited to 12 per class, receives the attention they deserve. Our dedicated training vessel, Lifeboat 52-18, is where theory meets practice, helping students gain confidence and competence in real-world scenarios.

Our commitment to hands-on experience shone brightly during our voyage from Picton to Wellington. We had the pleasure of inviting some of our recent SRL graduates to join us. Gareth, one of our recent grads, showcased his newly acquired skills, expertly navigating out of Picton in challenging fog using radar. As Milo often says, “This is what we’re all about – empowering the next generation of mariners.”

While Milo is in Wellington for the upcoming weeks, he’s always up for a chat about maritime training. Interested? Check out our courses or get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!