Hedland High School graduate Kyal Randazzo named first ever Pilbara Ports Authority marine cadet

Hedland Senior High School graduate Kyal Randazzo has become Pilbara Ports Authority’s first ever marine cadet. After leaving school in 2017, Mr Randazzo began the Marine Cadetship Program, the first of it’s kind for school leavers in Australia. Now three years on, he has graduated with an Advanced Diploma of Nautical Science — Second Officer Licence and is well on his way to becoming a captain. The program provides cadets with experience on international trade routes, which took Mr Randazzo to more than 11 countries including China, Japan, USA, Russia and Germany. Speaking to the North West Telegraph, he said the experience was “incredible”. “Some of the things we learn through the cadetship is navigational watch keeping, celestial and coastal navigation, proficiency in equipment, leadership and teamwork, cargo operations, ship stability and medical and emergency preparedness.” Mr Randazzo completed a total of 18 months sea-going time on board iron ore and cargo vessels during the cadetship, but he had never considered a career at sea before becoming a cadet. “At school I had a real profound interest in mathematics and science, they were my favourite subjects,” he said. “I wanted to find a career where I could implement both and also something that I could level up in. “I was presented the opportunity for the cadetship and I had a look at what was involved and it was pretty much everything up my alley, it was a real golden opportunity.” Mr Randazzo said he is driven to continue pursuing his career at sea. “I’d like to keep working my way up through officer and chief officer roles to eventually become a master, from there I’d like to get into land based pilotage,” he said. Mr Randazzo said he would like one day to return to Port Hedland and take up a marine pilotage role at the port of Port Hedland “It’s a role which requires a high level of professionalism and experience, and is definitely the peak of the career that I’m aiming for,” he said. PPA chief executive Roger Johnston said he is proud to see the first ever cadet graduate from the program. “PPA recognised the difficultly for young Australians to secure the time at sea required to earn marine qualifications, particularly as the number of Australian-registered ships reduces,” Mr Johnston said. “The PPA cadetship offers a foot in the door for young people in the Pilbara to embark on an exciting career in the marine industry. “The skills and experience Kyal has gathered through his journey will help him in his career in the maritime industry and we hope to welcome him back to the Pilbara in the future to take up his dream job of marine pilotage.” Mr Randazzo said he would encourage students interested in science to consider a career in the field. “The industry needs more seafarers, the opportunities really are endless with this and it’s a very rewarding career.” After it’s success, the PPA plan to continue the cadetship program into the future.