About us

Jillian Carson-Jackson FNI FRIN commenced her career in the Canadian Coast Guard, graduating from the Canadian Coast Guard College as a navigation officer. With over three decades in the industry, Jillian has worked both afloat and ashore in the CCG, including 10 years as an instructor at the CCGC.  Following an active role at IALA in the development of VTS Training, she moved to France to work with IALA as Technical Coordination Manager. She then moved to Australia to work with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as Manager of Vessel Traffic and Pilotage Services.

In 2016 Jillian left AMSA to set up her own consultancy, focusing on maritime technical advice and education. In May 2020 Jillian was appointed a Director of GlobalMET. Jillian represents The Nautical Institute at IALA as chair of the Emerging Digital Technologies Working Group (ENAV Committee) and the Personnel and Training Working Group (VTS Committee).

André is currently employed as a Mooring Master in the lightering trade, undertaking ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Mexico. He has recently started his own company, DNA Marine, where he specialises in providing expert witness services. His experience includes command of high-speed ferries (hydrofoils, mono- and multi-hull ro-ro passenger vessels), working as a pilot for the London Pilotage Service and acting as a marine consultant.

André is also the author of 'Mentoring at Sea - The 10 minute challenge'.

Duncan served his time in a variety of ship types between 1966 and 1970 and attained command in 1976. He went on to serve a total of 24 years at sea in product and chemical carriers, AHTS and DSV world-wide,  latterly as rig mover in West Africa and AG before coming ashore, where he followed the traditional path of Superintendent, Safety Manager, Fleet Manager, General Manager and COO with companies in Qatar, Cyprus and Dubai.  He opened his own consultancy in Dubai in 2000 and another office in Gdynia in 2005. Fully retired in 2016.

A member of the Institute since 1974, he has served in various roles on branch committees in Cyrus, Dubai and UK.  Elected to Fellowship in 2005 he  served two consecutive terms as a Council Member before being elected Vice President in 2013, then again in 2019. He also serves on the Quality Assurance Committee.

Trevor is a highly-respected Master Mariner with over 45 years’ sea-going and maritime industry experience, starting with BP Tanker Co. Ltd. His experience includes over 15 years in command of cruise ships and ro-ro passenger ferries and extensive experience in marine consultancy.

Trevor is Chairman of the Institute’s Technical Committee and was the Technical Editor for the third edition of the NI’s publication The Nautical Institute on Command.

On Trafalgar Day 2015, Trevor was awarded the UK Merchant Navy Medal for services to safety on high-speed catamaran ferries and to The Nautical Institute.

He is a law graduate (LLB Hons) Second Class Honors from the New Buckinghamshire University, United Kingdom and a postgraduate (MBA) from the University of Colombo. He has started his higher education from the University of Moratuwa and further Maritime higher education was completed at the CINEC Maritime Campus. He also a Member of the  Company of the Master Mariners of Sri Lanka and the Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistic and Transport( CMILT). He also a Goodwill Maritime Ambassador appointed by the IMO.

He is a Fellow and was a council member of The Nautical Institute, and former Secretary of the Sri Lanka Branch from 2014 to 2020.

Peter has had command and extensive experience piloting ships in most ports of Australia and many overseas ports, including those in the Red Sea. He offers extensive maritime operations experience comprising a mix of operational and strategic expertise gained through; merchant maritime service, 23 years’ service in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), marine services management, generalist port pilot, Great Barrier Reef (Check) Pilot, and Master of cruise ships. Highlights of his career included military and commercial command and undertaking a sabbatical in Malaysia, where he studied regional politics and International Relations to earn his Master’s Degree in Defence Studies - International Relations (UNSW).

Peter is an internationally renowned lecturer-at-sea, delivering highly reported lecture packages to cruise ship passengers. His recreational sailing interests include the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (and training), the Sydney to Hobart yacht race as a participant, and Director at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania where he sails regularly and currently manages volunteers manning the Hobart Race Liaison Centre for the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Peter is presently at UTAS / AMC conducting PhD research investigating the perception of ‘sea blindness’ in Australia’s strategic maritime LNG trade dynamic. He is an AIN VP, VP of the Nautical Institute, and a member of the Company of Master Mariners.

Captain Pelecanos holds executive positions in a number of organisations with a stake in a diverse range of maritime-related businesses.

He has a special interest in Safety Management, Human Factors, and Pilot Training and has been the author of over 50 papers on these subjects.

Peter enjoyed a first career in the British Royal Navy, that included over 20 years at sea and 5 years in command of submarines.  He also gained a civilian BSc (Hons) in Systems and Management.  He joined the International Chamber of Shipping in 2001 and for several years led ICS representation on maritime safety, security and environmental issues at the IMO and elsewhere.   He served as Secretary General of ICS from 2010 until 2018 when he retired.  The membership of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) comprises the key national shipowners’ associations from around the world and represents more than 80% of the world’s merchant tonnage. 

Peter is now working as an independent maritime consultant for a number of clients predominantly on the environmental performance of shipping, security and migrant protection.

Peter is a Fellow of the Nautical Institute and chairs the NI Executive Board.  He is a Younger Brother of Trinity House and Honorary Fellow of the World Maritime University.

Duncan completed a 40-year career with the Swire Group in 2019, having first commenced a seagoing career with the Bank Line.

He has been shore based for over 30 years in various senior management positions around the World including Japan, West Africa, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore. Businesses managed include stevedoring, coastal shipping, ocean fleet, crew management and offshore oil & gas.

He has been involved with a number of industry related organisations including the working group for Maritime Labour Standards at the ILO, representative at APEC Ministerial, various sub committees of the Hong Kong Ship Owners Association and Singapore Shipping Association. Also appointed to the High Court in Hong Kong as Nautical Assessor.

Duncan joined the Nautical Institute in the 1970’s and has been an active member throughout. Past positions include membership of the Fellowship Committee, Chairman of the Singapore and Hong Kong branches, Trustee and member of the Executive Board.

Most recently he has been reappointed to the Executive Board as Honorary Treasurer where he also sits on the Finance & Audit Committee. Duncan has now been appointed to the Chair of the newly established Nautical Institute Foundation.

John joined The Nautical Institute from the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in Tasmania where he was a Professor in the National Centre for Ports and Shipping. During his seven years at AMC he had a two years leave of absence to set up the Angolan Maritime Training Centre. Before joining AMC he spent two years working in the Vanuatu Maritime College.

John’s varied career prior to these appointments included four years in senior positions with Flagship Training in the UK, 10 years with Warsash Maritime Centre as a senior and principal lecturer in simulation and operations, and two years as a marine pilot in Walvis Bay. He served at sea from 1975 for 16 years, gaining command in 1987.

Bridget Hogan is Director and Head of Information and Publications of The Nautical Institute, where she is responsible for the Institute’s 100 plus book titles, its magazine production and its marketing and communications. She has been involved with the publishing industry for more than 40 years and has worked in the maritime industry in various roles for over 35 years.

David Patraiko is the Director of Projects for The Nautical Institute, and coordinates its Technical and Professional Development Committees. He is responsible for developing and managing major Institute projects and he represents the professional interests of members in general shipping, training and technical forums.

Much of this work is aimed at assisting members of the Institute with continuous professional development. He has led research and produced many papers and articles on training, electronic navigation, the associated ‘Human Element’ effects created by technology, and Marine Spatial Planning. He is currently involved with the international debate on e-Navigation and is Chairman of the IALA e-navigation working group for Strategy and Operations, Chaired the Industry ECDIS Training Group, and is Chairman of the Green Awards Board of Experts.

After a brief period as an independent consultant and surveyor, in 1997 he accepted the position of Project Manager for The Nautical Institute, and became Director of Projects in 2003. A graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (US), he sailed on a variety of international vessels in his twelve years in the Merchant Navy (1985 – 1997). He holds an Unlimited Master Mariners licence, and was awarded an MBA degree from Henley Management College (UK).