Family working side by side at Port of Newcastle this Father’s Day
This Father’s Day, work is a family affair for Port of Newcastle Vessel Scheduler Kailee Moss who has a proud family history in seafaring and port operations and two generations of family working in the Port.
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This Father’s Day, work is a family affair for Port of Newcastle Vessel Scheduler Kailee Moss who has a proud family history in seafaring and port operations and two generations of family working in the Port.
In a family tradition Kailee is proud to be part of, today, she works alongside both her father and older brother to bring ships safely into berth, following five generations of seafarers into an industry-related role.
“My father Brendan Steen began working in the Port, then Maritime Services Board (MSB), in 1989. He was initially engaged for a single day of work as a causal on the bucket dredge EOK Green and never left.” Ms Moss said.
“Three decades on, Dad is the Port Officer for Port Authority New South Wales (PANSW) having covered almost every role in port services from dredge to wharf amenity cleaner, wharf patrolman (wharf officer), wharfinger (port services officer), to Nobby’s signalman, launchman and pilot cutter crew.”
Also in the Port’s family fold is Kailee’s brother Brad, who is a proud fifth-generation seafarer working on Svitzer’s Newcastle tug boats.
Whilst the pandemic will ensure families need to get creative to connect this Father’s Day weekend, Kailee’ reflects on the previous year’s celebrations.
“Last Father’s Day was pretty special, I scheduled the vessel entry, Dad took the pilot to the vessel and my brother, Brad towed it in. Safe to say it is a family affair.”
“Unfortunately, this Father’s Day looks a lot different for all of our local families. If I can’t see my family over lunch, I know we will connect on the waters of the Port and that’s so special.”
Port of Newcastle CEO, Craig Carmody, said it is fantastic to see the Port play such a pivotal role in the lives of family histories.
“Family connections like these speak to the spirit of PON. There is so much history in the Port and family connection among our workforce and within our community.”
“Working with a team to bring a vessel into Newcastle’s iconic harbour on any day is a pretty special, but it must be even more the case to do so alongside your children, and that experience trumped again when it happens on Father’s Day,” Craig said.
“Port of Newcastle’s 222-year history is steeped in generational connections such as Kailee and her family’s and we wish all the dads and father-like figures of the Port a Happy Father’s Day”
Kailee didn’t always think she would have the opportunity to join her father and brother in the maritime industry. She originally spent seven years with NSW Ambulance NSW taking Triple-000 emergency calls, providing life-saving instructions over the phone and dispatching paramedics.
“My family have always had such a huge love for the sea and the industry and the Port. I didn’t ever think I would have an opportunity to play a part in this legacy; I am not the best boat driver,” she admits.
Kailee’s first foray into the industry before landing her dream job at Port of Newcastle was as a casual Operations Officer for Svitzer scheduling all tugs for NSW across Botany, Port Jackson, Kembla, and Newcastle ports.
“It was a big gamble going from a government job to a casual role, but it was so close to my heart because of my family involvement, I just had to go for it,” she said.
As a Vessel Scheduler, Kailee is responsible for working in conjunction with shipping agents, coal terminals, stevedores, Svitzer and PANSW, to curate a 24-hour program of shipping movements at Port of Newcastle.
“I always wanted to move to Port of Newcastle, but I just didn’t know if the opportunity would become available, but it did. I am so happy and proud to work for Port of Newcastle and alongside my family at the Port.”
Photo: Simone De Peak, Newcastle Herald/ACM.
Port of Newcastle
Port of Newcastle Port of Newcastle is Australia’s deepwater global gateway, the largest on the nation’s East Coast. Port of Newcastle is more than a port. It exists to build Australia’s prosperity with responsible, integrated and innovative supply chain solutions. With trade worth about $26 billion to the national economy each year, Port of Newcastle enables Australian businesses to successfully compete in international markets. The port currently handles 4,400 ship movements and 164 million tonnes of cargo annually, including dry bulk, bulk liquids, ro-ro, general and project cargoes and containers. With a deepwater shipping channel operating at 50% of its capacity, significant port land available and enviable access to national rail and road infrastructure, Port of Newcastle is positioned to further underpin the future prosperity of the Hunter, NSW and Australia. As custodians of the region’s critical asset, Port of Newcastle is diversifying its trade as it strives to create a safe, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible future.