Mike Drake is Head of Marine Operations  & Designated Person Ashore (DPA) for P&O Cruises, Australia (part of Carnival Corporation & PLC) based in Chatswood.

A Master Mariner with 33 years’ experience in the cruise industry, 20 of these in the Australasian region and a fellow of the Nautical Institute.

Responsibilities of the role include navigational safety, Bridge Operations and itinerary & port approval.

The role requires  strong engagement with all regulatory bodies concerned with  navigational safety; AMSA, UK Marine & Coastguard Agency ( Flag State) , Australian Hydrographic Service, ATSB, MAIB, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and various state regulators , Port Authorities , Harbour Masters and Pilots etc.

A member of many forums including AMSA Navigational Services Advisory Group (NSAG) and Great Barrier Reef Tourism Recreational Advisory Committee (TRAC) as representative of the cruise industry.

In addition to navigational developments within Carnival Corporation Mike has been very involved in navigational developments within the Oceania Region; in particular the challenges of navigational infrastructure in SW Pacific & SE Asia. 

P&O have been involved in Australiasia’s  recent Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS)  trial  onboard “Pacific Explorer”.  

An expert contributor to the South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission and a regulator attendee of simulation studies at Smartship Brisbane and C Smart in Holland.