Cpt Coote celebrated three decades of service at the port this month.
After growing up in Bluff, he began his maritime career on fishing boats before joining the New Zealand Shipping Corporation in 1976. He progressed from a deck officer apprentice to Master Foreign Going following years spent navigating global waters, from long voyages on "meat boats" between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, to commanding vessels in the South China Sea, Persian Gulf, and Papua New Guinea.
In 1995, Cpt Coote joined South Port as a pilot, and his knowledge and understanding of the harbour quickly made him an asset.
He recalls during his early days at South Port, when four pilots managed not only piloting operations but also tug operations, labour organisation, and compliance duties.
"We learned our craft from reference books, experience, and each other, now we have personal pilot units, electronic data, and specialised teams to support every aspect of the role. The changes have been profound," he said.
"It’s enjoyable work — always interesting, always changing. I get real satisfaction from doing the job well," he said.
A large part of his role had been mentoring new pilots and watching them grow, Cpt Coote said.
"Seeing trainees transform from self-confident master mariners to competent, thinking pilots is incredibly rewarding."
His advice to those beginning their maritime careers was to "watch the harbour on a good day in order that you can visualise what is happening on a bad day or at night. And on the job, get in the habit of always thinking a few steps ahead’’.
"Don’t become complacent — expect the unexpected and always cogitate a few steps ahead." — APL
