Interview: Our People: Eamon O’Toole - Skilled General Hand

We talked to Skilled General Hand Eamon O’Toole about his role in the Civil Maintenance Team and why he is proud to work at LPC.

What does your job involve? 
As a Skilled General Hand, we are involved in a wide range of jobs at LPC. I operate Plant including the sweeper truck and mobile cranes. I am also a certified diver so work at the Dry Dock when they are switching vessels as well as around the wharves in the Inner Harbour. We also relieve in Marine when they are short-staffed, as a deckhand for the launch vessels. There isn’t much we can’t do! 
 
What’s the most unique part of your role? 
The variety of work is great. One day I’ll be working on a digger in the morning, in a crane by lunchtime and in a punt in the afternoon. It keeps the job exciting. 
 
What challenges do you enjoy in your job? 
Things can change just like that. You can get asked to drop your work and head to a completely new job that needs urgently doing. 
 
What makes you proud to work at the Port? 
You don’t realise how much comes through the Port and how without it, the rest of the city wouldn’t be able to function. From fuel to supplies, our job means that so many other people around Canterbury can carry on with theirs. 
 
Who or what inspires you?
 
I am inspired by my workmates. We have a good team here and they make this a great place to work. 
 
If you could be anywhere in the world right now it would be… 
I’d love to go to Alaska and Canada and go hunting and fishing there. Go off the grid and explore. 
 
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
 
I have two young kids so I love spending time with them, as well as hunting, fishing, camping and 4WD – anything to get outdoors.

Eamon jumping out of a punt in a man overboard exercise at LPC last year.

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