Article

Pilot Transfer Arrangements and new Regulations


by Captain Jesus Señeriz Lopez - published on 4 February 2020 1265 -

photos by Captain Jesus Señeriz Lopez

As we all know there is a new regulation established since July 2012, this new regulation refers to pilot transfer arrangements. There are other yearly safety campaigns such as IMPA that include SOLAS V.23 and IMO Resolution A 1045 and Resolution A.1108(29). Unfortunately, in this annual overview there were some accidents reported that could have been avoided. These accidents, and future accidents of a similar nature can be avoided if we make sure that:

-Pilots know the regulations
-The crews know the regulations
-The PSC officers, marine superintendent, classification surveyor know the regulations
Pilots know the regulations

We should become aware that we could be risking our lives and that we could avoid part of this risk by filling out a document and sending it to the authorities responsible for it. Just by doing this we could improve our working conditions. For this to happen, we should all be working together and aiming for the same goals.

The relevance of this is such that even the penal code, the Spanish and the International, has a sentence of imprisonment in cases where an accident took place and the rules were not adhered to.

In my opinion, if we do not send the IMPA report about safety to the harbour authorities, the report would become completely ineffective.

My suggestions:

During Pilot’s training courses we should insist on this topic. BRM will not be useful if we do not follow the rules before reaching the bridge.

The idea of confronting the captain during the exit manoeuvre after writing a negative report of all the deficiencies previously detected is something that doesn’t make us feel comfortable, but it is an important step to make.



The crews know the regulations.

Do crews know the rules? In my opinion the answer is clearly not. There is a high percentage that don’t know the rules. From my perspective the SOLAS is extremely useful, but sometimes it can be complicated and overwhelming. I think there should be a manual, more accessible for everyone, and much more visual, in which everyone can see examples. Each ship has a MSC1.Circ.1428 poster, but personally I am not sure if the crew pays enough attention to it. That is why I conclude that the Pilot’s security is something that not everyone is concerned about even though everything is explained in the International legislations (ISM Code, Merchant Shipping Legislation, Maritime Labour Conventions, SOLAS, Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchants Seafarers).

My suggestions:

We should start from the basics.

National and international Pilots association should contact Maritime Academy and offer to help to solve this problem. There are different ways to achieve this goal, lectures or training are some examples.

The PSC officers , marine superintendent, classification surveyor know the regulations.


In my opinion the answer to this question would also be no. The main reason we can reach this conclusion is that all the ships that have been registered in a European country and have a European flag, by law, must follow these new regulations (SOLAS V-23-IMO Resolutions ,Marine Equipment Directive -MED 2014/90/EU, 11th amendment (EU) 2015/559, Implementing Regulation (EU)2017/306 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/773).

As has been proven, sometimes these regulations are not followed and the only explanation that I can personally find as to why this happens is the ignorance of the law. If they knew about it, they would take action in order to make sure everything is legal.

We should all keep in mind that the ignorance of the law does not exempt a person from his responsibilities.

These are my personal opinions, if I have caused any offence please accept my apologies.

Best Regards,

Captain Jesus Señeriz Lopez

 

Master with more than 12 years of experience and from 1999 working as a Pilot in Aviles (Spain).ExTeam member in training courses for Spanish Pilots Aviles Pilot (Spain)

 

Author:

Guia para el transbordo de prácticos(2015)

Pilot boarding arrangements and best practice(2015)

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
AJ
Amit Jha India
on 16 July 2020, 19:03 UTC

Correction *country should be read as coin.
0

Capt. Henry DING IMPA - International Maritime Pilots’ Association, Taiwan
on 27 February 2020, 23:09 UTC

According to my observation of more than 30 years of my piloting career, in addition to the negligence of the ship, the other main reason for the safety of the pilot ladder is the pilot himself. In other words, After the pilot safely boarded the ship, most pilot did not report the deficiency of the ladder to the PSC. Because they are too concerned the next job. Therefore, an APP can be invented to directly tick the defficiency list about the pilot ladder on their mobile and send it directly to the PSC of the local port. , Before the shortcoming being corrected, the ship's application for departure is rejected.
0

Pilot PORTHOS LIMA Praticagem RJ, Brazil
on 27 February 2020, 11:12 UTC

This is a very interesting article. I totally agree.
I've been Technical Director of Brazilian Pilots Association for the last 3 years and we've taken the following initiatives:
1. During our refreshment course that all Pilots have to take every 5 years we have a module about that. The objetive is that the Pilots know the regulations.
2. We've produced a video with subtitles in English, French and Spanish with the objetive of teaching our Pilot Boats crews how the arrangement should be rigged for each situation. When you are outbound with a ship the ships crew rig the arrangment. How do you know this is a correct one? You have to rely in Pilot Boat crew, but they have to know what is right or wrong. The video was so succesful that we've distributed copies to a few Brazilian shipowners in order they can train their crews.
3. We've created the App No Rumo Certo, which permits exchanging information between Pilots and Pilot Organisations, and report non compliant arrangements to the authorities.
There is still a lot to be done. We must be united in this fight. This is our safety after all.
[show more]
0

Read more...

Article Pilot Transfer Arrangements

by Captain Kevin Vallance MNI - published on 2 October 2019

Most pilot embarkations and disembarkations around the world, are still carried out using a traditional pilot ladder, consisting of wooden steps supported and secured by side ropes.

1

Article A contempt for pilot safety and total disregard for the contents of the SOLAS Convention.

by Captain Kevin Vallance MNI - published on 4 October 2019

Tuesday, October 1st is the start date of the latest International Maritime Pilot Association's annual Safety Campaign.

Previous campaigns by the association have consistently shown results of pilot ladder deficiencies around the 20% mark.

0

Article Origins of the IMPA pilot mark

by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 24 October 2019

There are many things in both our everyday and professional lives which we take for granted and never question the origins of, an example of this might be the IMPA recommended ‘pilot mark or pilot line’, which is sometimes seen on the side of vessels indicating where a vessels freeboard exceeds 9 metres.

4

Article NZMPA Mobile App for Android released

published on 18 August 2020

The New Zealand Maritime Pilots Association (NZMPA) mobile App has just been released for Android devices.

The App is primarily an information-sharing tool to help improve communications and enhance maritime safety.

0

Video 24/7 Live Webcam - Kiel Canal at Brunsbuettel Lock in Germany | Nord-Ostsee-Kanal Schleuse Brunsbüttel

published on 1 September 2020

Auch die Baustelle der neuen Schleuse ist zu sehen.
The construction site of the new lock can also be seen.
Pilotage Service in this Area by:

0

Video World largest and strongest nuclear Icebreaker

published on 6 July 2019

World largest and strongest nuclear Icebreaker

0

Article The Road Towards Autonomous Ship Handling with Tugs

by Captain Henk Hensen (Marine Consultant) - published on 5 November 2019

Currently, several means of transport are undergoing an accelerated development towards automation and automated movements. This development will also impact future ship handling with tugs. A glimpse into the future of tug boat operation.

1

Article The challenges of remote pilotage simulated in Rauma

published on 7 October 2021

As a part of the ISTLAB project the impact of external factors on pilots’ activities in a remote pilotage situation has been examined in Rauma.

0

Video River Bann Pilots

published on 28 July 2022

River Bann pilots transfer from Athos to pilot vessel Ulidia at Barmouth, River Bann. N. Ireland

1

Opinion Anti-Entrapment Pilot Boat

by Captain Francesco Aiello - Honorary Member Fedepiloti ROMA, Italy - published on 21 April 2020

The entrapment problem of a pilot ladder has not yet been solved and has prompted Captain Francesco Aiello to seek a solution. His very simple idea (patented) has been internationally recognized as innovative.

0