MASTER / PILOT DVD

June 30th, 2008 by JCB
Posted in Articles | No Comments »

In addition to the article on page 11, Margriet Torpstra, has produced two training DVDs on the Master Pilot
relationship in association with the Dutch shipping group Vroon BV. With each DVD running at around 30 minutes, DVD 1 covers Passage Planning and DVD 2 Underway. Both were filmed in a simulator and
consist of three sections. DVD 1 starts off with an uncommunicative bridge team briefly glancing over the proposed passage followed by an uncommunicative pilot entering the bridge and getting the ship
underway with the minimum information exchange and planning. The Master fails to inform the pilot of a faulty bow thruster so the manoeuvre fails and the vessel has to return alongside. Following a pause inserted in the DVD for discussion, the 2006 collision off Brunsbuttel locks between the Maritime Lady and Sunny Blossom (see Pilot 289) is examined with relation to the Master / Pilot
exchange. The final part of the DVD repeats the first simulation but this time the bridge team examine the proposed passage and when the pilot arrives on the bridge a proper exchange is undertaken. Having
been advised of the unreliable bow thruster a risk assessment is undertaken between the Master and pilot as to undertaking the manoeuvre without a second tug and so the unberthing manoeuvre is safely executed.
My only reservation about this latter “best practice” scenario is that in my opinion the Captain and watch officer plan in a bit too  much detail since I consider it the role of the pilot to advise the ship of anticipated tidal heights / flows and reductions of speed for vessels on jetties etc. However, the important message is that the bridge team should prepare a basic passage plan and the pilot must provide the detail. If the pilot /doesnít volunteer detailed information then it is the responsibility of the bridge team to question him regarding any concerns. The second DVD involves a similar scenario using the same simulator ship underway on the outward passage. Again the initial, worst practice, part sees a nonchalant and inattentive pilot providing no information to the Captain and the passage results in a wash damage claim being recorded against the ship. Again following the discussion pause an incident analysis is undertaken and this time the collision on the Humber between the Samskip Courier and the Skagern is examined. The final part again sees the passage being re-run safely with a full effective exchange of information between the pilot and Master. Although not produced for general release, Vroon have agreed to provide copies of the DVDs for training purposes at a cost of around 15-20 Euros (plus P&P) per 2 DVD set. If you are interested in ordering copies please contact me for
further details. JCB