SeaLink Whitsundays Celebrates the next generation of Skippers

SeaLink Whitsundays, together with the Whitsunday Sailing Club proudly announces the completion of its second cohort of students in the Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) Coxswain’s Course programme. This innovative initiative is helping shape the future of the marine industry by providing local school students with the skills, training, and opportunities they need to pursue a career on the water.

This year’s programme saw 24 students from Proserpine State High School, St Catherine’s Catholic College and Mirani State High School join the 2024/2025 Coxswain’s cohort. In partnership with SeaLink Whitsundays and Whitsunday Sailing Club, these students have undergone extensive classroom and on-water training, gaining critical hands-on experience aboard the Red Cat Adventures fleet. Over the last two years, 82 students have successfully completed the course, and SeaLink Whitsundays is thrilled to be employing five graduates as part of its team.

At the heart of this success story is Asher Telford, General Manager, SeaLink Whitsundays, who developed the idea in 2022 to address staffing shortages and a housing crisis that affected the marine and tourism industries in the region. Reflecting on the programme’s impact, Mr Telford shared: I am immensely proud of the programme's success in shaping the next generation of skippers and enhancing their opportunities in the marine industry.

“When I developed this idea in 2022, we were facing critical staffing shortages and a housing crisis, prompting us to seek alternative methods for recruiting and training professional skippers. By reaching out to local schools, we found a solution. It has been incredibly rewarding to employ some of the students from our previous programme and see their growth through our career pathways" Mr Telford said.

This year's course also saw 12 Coxswain trainees participate in SeaLink Whitsundays’ work experience programme during school holidays, where they received additional on-the-job training alongside the crew.

Students completed three terms of classroom learning, held at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, and benefitted from real-world training aboard SeaLink’s fleet, including Red Cat Adventures' vessels ‘Tongarra’ and ‘Thundercats’. The programme covered a range of challenging subjects such as coastal navigation, seamanship, vessel handling, and maritime legislation. Importantly, students also gained critical 'Shipboard Safety' skills, learning how to launch life rafts, deploy emergency flares, fight fires, and master in-water survival techniques.

Deb Duggan, Training Coordinator at the Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre, praised the students' dedication and progress throughout the year, stating: The students tackled a wide range of subjects, many of which were new and challenging for those unfamiliar with boats.

“It’s been amazing to see their confidence grow as they honed their skills on the water. I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved, and I look forward to watching them continue their journey into fulfilling maritime careers," Ms Duggan said.

The programme culminated in a Certificate of Completion ceremony on Friday 9^th September 2024 at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, attended by students, their families, and SeaLink representatives. Each student is now on the pathway to obtaining a Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal qualification – a nationally recognised certification issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), enabling them to operate commercial vessels under 12 metres in inshore waters.

Donna Gauci, CEO, SeaLink Marine & Tourism, added her congratulations: This programme represents everything we stand for as a company – investing in people, creating opportunities, and contributing to the communities we serve. We’re delighted to have these talented young individuals as part of our team and look forward to supporting their continued success.

This initiative has been supported by the Queensland Government’s VETiS programme, helping to ensure that students gain valuable qualifications while still at school. With employment opportunities in the marine and tourism industries on the rise, SeaLink Whitsundays is committed to nurturing local talent and futureproofing the region’s workforce.