Neil Hillier

Expertise:

Master Mariner specialized in ice navigation for Newfoundland and Labrador with additional experience in Baffin Bay and Hudson Bay, Beaufort Sea and Antarctica.

Experience:

  • Currently Contract Pilot for Voisey’s Bay, Labrador, bulk ore carrier operation.
  • In 2010, served as ice master for MV Bos Atlantic and icebreaker Talagy in 2D seismic survey of Beaufort Sea.
  • In 2009, Ice Pilot on board MV Viking Vision 3D seismic survey vessel in Beaufort Sea.
  • In 2007 and 2008 acted as Contract Master for NTCL in the Beaufort Sea. Master of MV Jim Kilabuck and MV Alex Gordon, support vessels to seismic survey vessel Bin Hai 517.
  • Between 1998 and 2003 was Pilot, Churchill port, Manitoba.
  • Contractual work, Master for Blue Peter Steamships, plying Boston-Newfoundland-Greenland routes. Served as Pilot for bulk carriers to Long Harbour, Placentia (Newfoundland and Labrador).
  • Gave lectures at Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
  • Acted as Ice-Advisor, Gulf of St. Lawrence and River, East Coast, Newfoundland.
  • From 1968 to 1998, Master of various vessels in the fleet of Marine Atlantic, principal marine transport and supply firm for coastal Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Served as Master of MV Atlantic Freighter under charter to the United States Navy during Persian Gulf supply operations in Operation Desert Storm (recipient of U.S. Merchant Marine Expeditionary Award).
  • Additional Marine Atlantic service as Master of MV Northern Ranger, on charter as Antarctic eco-tour vessel.  Ten voyages to Antarctica as Master, including MV Polar Circle scientific seismic survey for the Indian Navy at their Antarctic research base, 1981-1983.

Education:

  • Master Mariner Certificate of Competence, 1973.
  • Licensed Pilot for Voisey’s Bay (coast of Labrador) and for Churchill, Manitoba, harbour and approaches.
  • Certificate of Achievement, Global Marine Distress and Safety Systems, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, 1998.
  • Diploma in Nautical Science, awarded by College of Fisheries, Navigation, Marine Engineering and Electronics, St. John’s, Newfoundland, 1968.
  • Royal Canadian Navy, discharged 1964.