Opinion

Comment of Harry Klenner: Harbour pilots and climate change


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 16 June 2020 142 -

Photo Harry Klenner (LinkedIn) - Article translated from PortalPortuario.cl

Comment of Harry Klenner (Presidente de la Asociación Chilena de Prácticos de Puerto):

Nowadays, apart from having to take measures to avoid contagion with the Covid-19, port pilots have to consider another factor that has become present on the planet and which, by the way, our country has not been unaware of. I am referring to climate change, which has seriously affected our coasts with its episodes of tidal waves and abnormal swells, which have increased significantly in recent times, going from 23 episodes in 2008 to 40 in 2019 and 24 so far this year, affecting port activity and therefore the services provided.

When these situations occur, the Maritime Authority is forced to restrict activities in the ports, so that they are carried out safely and within the parameters and criteria established in the respective manoeuvrability studies prepared by each dock or terminal, with the ultimate aim of avoiding accidents that may harm either personnel, vessels, port facilities or the environment and that may result in greater and sometimes irreparable losses.

These changes, which undoubtedly affect shipping planning, should be considered today by all those involved in the maritime port area, so that they can adapt their operations in a timely manner, in order to reduce the potential economic losses that in one way or another will affect them and thus also reduce their effect on the logistics chain, so important in these days of pandemic that we are living.

One way of reducing the effects of these changes, which are likely to become more frequent, and therefore reduce the risks in the manoeuvres carried out by pilots, is to improve the instruments for measuring meteorological and oceanographic parameters, in order to have more technical information in a timely manner to carry out a thorough and detailed analysis and prediction of the phenomena that are coming and to be able to adapt to port maritime planning sufficiently in advance; In addition, port infrastructure and sheltering works, such as those in developed countries, should be improved in order to reduce the effect of storm surges on docks and terminals.

Taking into account the future port development of the country, it is essential that in the planning and construction of new ports that are considered to be made on our coasts, climate change and its consequences on port operations and maneuvers must be considered as a relevant factor in their execution and the necessary resources must be allocated for their mitigation.

Harry Klenner
Editor's note:
Opinion pieces reflect the personal opinion of individual authors. They do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about a prevailing opinion in the respective editorial department. Opinion pieces might be deliberately formulated in a pronounced or even explicit tone and may contain biased arguments. They might be intended to polarise and stimulate discussion. In this, they deliberately differ from the factual articles you typically find on this platform, written to present facts and opinions in as balanced a manner as possible.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Angostura Inglesa ("English Narrows")

published on 12 June 2020

2 48° South 074° West
"Angostura Inglesa" is, without a doubt, the most important natural obstacle in navigating the South American channels, as it is a winding step that requires two changes of course close to 90 °, subject to a tidal regime and Considerable currents, which is also affected by the frequent bad times of the Gulf of Penas, forces sailors to face it with caution and take adequate security measures.

0

Video Practico Abordo 2020/ Pilot On Board

published on 24 August 2020

Trabajo que realiza el Sr, Práctico en Atraque y Desatraque de naves Mercantes a Puerto , Monoboya Quintero . Multiboyas y Pilotaje en los canales del Sur de Chile hasta Punta Arenas.
Work done by the Pilot.on board in mooring and undocking of Merchant ships to port. Monoboya Quintero .Multibuy and pilotage in the channels of the South of Chile to Punta Arenas.

0

Video Don Cockrill (2017): "Why climate change matters to maritime pilots"

published on 31 March 2022

NavClimate Day 2 - Presented by Don Cockrill, UK Maritime Pilots Association

0

Article CMPA Launches the National Centre of Expertise on Maritime Pilotage

published on 8 June 2021

The technical body will bring together the extensive technical expertise and professional knowledge of Canada's licensed maritime pilots.

0

Article Charles Costanzo named executive director of Puget Sound Pilots

published on 1 October 2021

Puget Sound Pilots appointed a new executive director, Charles Costanzo, formerly general counsel and Pacific region vice president for American Waterways Operators (AWO).

1

Article Dutch Safety Board: Stricter instructions for transfer of pilots

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 12 August 2024

The transfer of pilots to and from seagoing vessels should not rely solely on mutual trust and good intentions.

1

Video IHMA Congress 2020 - Going Virtual!

published on 20 August 2020

With the theme, "The Next Wave – Navigating Towards the Digital Future, the 12th biennial Congress will be delivered virtually from 5 - 10 October, 2020.

1

Article Latest edition of the European Maritime Pilots Association newsletter released

published on 23 June 2022

EMPA has released their latest newsletter.

0

Article Next-level shiphandling simulation using VR

by Captain, MSc. Remko Fehr - published on 13 December 2023

Kiel Pilots introducing Morild Interaktiv AS Virtual Reality Simulator for next-level manoeuvring training.

1

Video Tug Girding

published on 30 November 2020

Between 2005 and 2018, the TSB received reports of 26 girding situations resulting in 21 capsizings. Girding occurs when a vessel is pulled broadside by a towline force and is unable to manoeuver out of this position. The TSB created this video to illustrate the factors leading to girding and the recovery methods.
The TSB would like to thank Ledcor Resources and Transportation Inc. for use of simulator training images in the girding video. We would also like to acknowledge the U.S....

1