CAPT. JAMES HC LONDON
DIRECTOR/MANAGER OF HYDRO PILOTS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

Capt. James HC London has been involved in the Maritime Industry for the past fifty years. He commenced training as a cadet officer and after completion of his Masters Foreign Going Steamship’s certificate served in a wide variety of Merchant Vessels, trading to all parts of the world. He became Master of his first ship in 1981.

In 1993 James was offered the position as a Great Barrier Reef Marine Pilot by the Marine Board of Queensland and after giving three years service to Torres Pilots decided to form his own Pilotage Company. In 1995 along with two colleagues he started Hydro Pilots as a Pilotage Provider exclusively to the Shipping Industry transiting the Hydrographers Passage en route to the North Queensland Ports of Mackay, Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay.

Within three years Hydro Pilots had purchased two helicopters which enabled the Company to carry out Marine Pilot Transfers without dependence on its competition. By the year 2000, five permanent marine pilots were employed and Hydro Pilots included in their major clients, Hanjin Shipping, BHP Shipping, “K” Line and Shinwa.

In late 2006 Grant Kenny of the Curry Kenny Group bought Hydro Pilots and its sister company Mackay Helicopters from the remaining shareholders. At that time James London was invited to continue as the Manager of the Mackay Operation.

Capt London continues to hold a check Pilot’s licence and a training Pilot’s licence issued by AMSA. He is also responsible for helicopter operations conducted from the Mackay base servicing the Hydrographers passage.

Mackay Helicopters is now the only Marine Pilot Transfer company servicing vessels in the Hydrographers Passage and carries out approximately 100 missions per month.