Tribute to a 'supreme pro'

A MARITIME pilot who died in the Misima plane crash has been praised as a “supreme professional” and mentor, The National reports.

Father-of-three Chris Hart was a passenger on board a Trans Air plane which slid off the runway on Misima Island and burst into flames on Tuesday afternoon.

The 61-year-old Sydney man was on his way to guide a ship from Misima, about 500km southeast of Port Moresby, through the Great Barrier Reef.

Two other Australians – one believed to be Trans Air owner Les Wright and the other a worker for medivac company International SOS – and a New Zealander also died.

Don Mclay, from Australian Reef Pilots, told reporters in Australia Hart was a “supreme professional” and mentor for younger boat pilots.

The former British navy submariner worked for cruise ship firm P&O, where he met his wife Hilary.

After a secondment to the Maritime Services Board in Sydney, Hart joined Howard Smith and returned to sea in the firm’s merchant shipping division.

He became a coastal pilot with Australian Reef Pilots in 1997.

Mclay said Hart took great pride in his two daughters and son.

“While his duties meant he was frequently away from home, he made sure he always had quality time with them,” Mclay said.

“We have lost a respected friend and colleague.

“We will always remember Chris’ quirky sense of humour, his passion as a chef and his insatiable love for country and western music.”