TECHNICAL & TRAINING Report April 2008

June 30th, 2008 by JCB
Posted in Technical and Training

Since our last report to The Pilot we have learnt that the bid for funding for the Azipilot Project has been accepted by the EU and the ‘i’s are now being dotted and the ‘t’s crossed before work on the project gets under weigh. Ian Simpson from Harwich has volunteered to join me in managing the UKMPA’s contribution. Ian brings his experience as Simulator Pilot and Marine Advisor at HR Wallingford to the project. The work on POADSS continues with Lisbon Pilots, who have attended approved AIS and ECDIS courses, undergoing two days training with Rotterdam Pilots in the use of Portable Pilotage Units on the 4th/5th March. This
was then followed by the first trial of the POADDS equipment in Lisbon on the 17th March ahead of the full scale trials now set for Lisbon in October. The issue of National Occupational Standards and a National Qualification for Pilots continues and at the last meeting of the MCA Working Group in December, in the absence of any progress on this issue relevant to Pilots, we put forward the ETCS document as being the training model that should be adopted. As this Working Group meets twice a year perhaps it is easy to see
why progress is so slow. Peter Aylott from the Nautical Institute (NI) was invited to our meeting in November and talked through with us some ideas for the NI Pilotage Diploma while seeking the support of the UKMPA in achieving industry recognition. It is hoped to have a draft syllabus to review in the near future. Since our last meeting a Pilot has contacted us about the use of cable ties to secure the wedge either side of a pilot ladder rung. The ISO require the wedge to be held in place by rope seizing, although alternatives can be used. It is perhaps doubtful that a cable tie constitutes a suitable alternative. IMPA have agreed to take the matter up with ship owners but suggest that it may be an issue for Port State Control. The minutes of the T&T Meetings are available on the UKMPA web site.

Chairman T&T Committee
Gareth Rees [dcg.rees@talktalk.net]