At the harbour master’s office, the harbour officer is responsible for maritime safety and operations: the entry and exit of vessels, the monitoring and coordination of port operations, and so on. In particular, he or she instructs each vessel on which quay it will be able to berth, in consultation with the ship’s agent and the relevant terminal operator.

Qualities and skills

• Availability
• Flexibility
• Attention to detail
• Active listening
• Requires versatile skills in administration, law and management
• Proficiency in English as codified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

Educational qualifications and training

Entry via the civil service competitive examination: Port Officer (Category A) / Assistant Port Officer (Category B)

Sectors and organisations

The harbour officer is a civil servant attached to the Ministry for Ecological Transition. They work at port sites. From the harbour master’s office, they coordinate all port activities relating to trade, fishing and recreational boating.

Source: LH PORT CENTER – Further information at www.lhportcenter.com