A recruitment drive at the Department of Marine and Ports Services comes with two maritime training programmes aimed at young Bermudians.

Cherie Whitter, the Head of the Public Service, said the call for pilots and maritime operation controllers aligned with the Government’s goal of attracting, keeping and training new talent, “especially in areas that are hard to fill”.

Such posts cover skill sets where talent is limited locally, requiring years to build up.

Ms Whitter said it included jobs where the service has relied on overseas talent.

She added: “Globally, marine pilots are in high demand, especially in busy and crowded waterways, where they help ships navigate safely and efficiently.

“In Bermuda, several branch pilots will attain the age of retirement within the next five years.

“The Public Service is therefore reintroducing the marine pilot programme and adding the marine operations controller training programme.”

Rudolph Cann, the Director of Marine and Ports, said many young people were unaware of marine piloting as a career option.

“The training for marine pilots is long and hard,” he said.

“It takes five years, and it has both theory and practice components. The trainees will ultimately acquire a master mariner certificate and gain the required sea service experience.”

Maritime operation controllers oversee the activities of vessels in Bermuda’s ports, tracking them with radar, radio and computer systems, as well as engaging with pilots, tug operators, berth operators and other port staff.

The training programmes were last offered in 2016 and 2019.

Details are available at the Government’s careers site, with August 9 as the deadline for applications.