SEAWORK 2009

December 19th, 2009 by JCB
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Having been offered a stand at this year’s SeaWork Exhibition, held at Southampton on the 16th – 18th June, the UKMPA were well represented with chairman Joe Wilson, Jim Richie, Matt Winter, Kevin Constable, Mike Robarts. Manning the UKMPA stand. Other pilots visited the stand and greatly assisted in keeping the bar afloat!

L – R Martin Phipps, Matt Winter, Kevin constable & Mike Robarts

There was a full programme for the 3-day event which included the Annual General Meeting of the UK Harbour Masters’ Association, together totalling some 500 delegates. Of interest to pilots is that OMC won the civil engineering award for their “In Transit Real Time Dynamic Under Keel Clearance System.

This annual event is rapidly gaining international recognition and despite the recession attendance was well up on last year.

Legal opinion: Piloting oversize vessels

November 19th, 2009 by JCB
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PILOTING VESSELS OVER AN AUTHORISATION LIMIT.

Following the HA’s taking over rrsponsibility for aothorising pilots following the 1987 Pilotage Act, many districts retained the authorisation structure and wording from the Trinity House authorisations. Read the rest of this entry »

121st UKMPA Conference Report

September 10th, 2009 by JCB
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121^ST UKMPA CONFERENCE REPORT

This year the conference was a one day event held on board the HQS Wellington and was attended by 39 pilots from 15 districts. Read the rest of this entry »

Chairman’s Report July 2008

September 7th, 2008 by JCB
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As I write this I am about to depart for London to speak to the Transport Select Committee regarding the Draft Marine Navigation Bill. Recently I spoke to some Scottish MSP’s in Holyrood, this regarding the situation with Clyde Pilots. Perhaps it is an indication that matters regarding pilotage and ports are “hotting up”. Read the rest of this entry »

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 10/07

January 8th, 2008 by JCB
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For those that don’t as yet know, our secretary, Monica, has been seriously ill recently, and has spent some time in hospital. She is now at home convalescing, and I’m sure that you will all want to wish her a speedy recovery. Read the rest of this entry »

Chairman’s Report 04/07

June 13th, 2007 by JCB
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I am going to keep this report short as I have already taken up a half page (I hope) with another reminder about the incident reporting procedure.

The last quarter has seen section committee members attending meetings with DfT, MCA, DEFRA, IALA, Harbour Masters, the Transport Select Committee, the Shipping Minister – to name but a few. On several occasions we have also been assisted by pilots from outside the committee, and my thanks go to them.

There has also been movement with the Boarding & Landing Code for pilots. This has finally been agreed by UKMPA, BPA and UKMPG. Not bad considering that it was first started by Peter Russell back in 1991. Peter has kindly written the foreword. All pilots should give thanks to the enormous amount of time and effort given by the various people that have been involved. The Code will be officially launched at the PMSC SG meeting on 28 June.

Some of you may be aware that the MAIB Report on the Skagern / Samskip Courier collision on the Humber last year has now been published, and is available on their web site. It’s a bit late now, but I guess we could say “we told you so”.

Included in this edition is a letter from Avald Wymark. I hope, as presumably Avald does, that the letter will inspire some responses. Many of the issues have been discussed at section committee, and, in view of the wide circulation of the Pilot, there are some issues that I do not wish to comment on openly. Perhaps this could be an agenda item for the IDM in September, so please, do let us have your thoughts before then.

An early indication of attendance at the IDM would be appreciated – circular 03/07 refers.

Joe Wilson

Chairman.

Chairman’s Report 07/06

July 15th, 2006 by JCB
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Who’d be Chairman?

As you will all know, Les has been on sick for a couple of months now, and it is unfortunately beginning to look as though he will have to retire on ill-health. Part of Les’ problem has been due to the amount of work that he took on. I can sympathise with him – every day I do something concerned with pilotage, whether it is just replying to e-mails, writing letters, phone calls, meetings or even my day job. Section committee members give their time freely for the sake of UK Pilots. My wife asked me the other day why I do it, when there are some people who do nothing, except their job. There is no easy answer, but I am just one of a team, and I guess we do it in an effort to preserve the job that we like, and for the future of pilotage.

Recently I was to travel to London at 0700 for a meeting, but was on duty the night before. As such I did a couple of ships and finished [early] at 2100. Down to London on the 0700 train, and into the office for a couple of hours, had the meeting, then back to Teesside on the 1700 train, arriving home at 2000. Back on shift the next day!

A couple of days later a colleague remarked that “he had had to do 4 ships whilst I was socialising in London”. Had he forgotten the month earlier, where in similar circumstances I did 6 ships on a night watch, finishing at 0330, and then set off for the Clyde at 0800, for 2 days?  That’s the moan over, but the point is that those pilots on committees, be it national, international or local do give up a lot of their own time. We all realise that to do it we rely on the support of our colleagues whilst we are at meetings and not actually piloting.

Past Chairmen of the UKMPA have spent a lot of time, days on end, in the office in London – I, if I am elected Chairman next year, do not intend to.  Firstly I can see little point, and, secondly, it would probably mean [another] divorce.  Yes, there will be occasions when it is necessary, however section committee can do a lot of work these days by e-mail – we have yet to try video-conferencing, but it is coming. (Please note; probably the quickest way to contact me is by e-mail).  There is so much information forthcoming from the plethora of meetings we each attend, it is easy to spend hours working at a computer. It is a bad world out there, and there are some people who do not have our best interests at heart.

I can see the value in having a “figure head” paid for by the Association, as do IMPA and EMPA. Such a person –

President, General Secretary, or whatever would be able to man the London office on a regular basis, carry out some of the secretarial work, and be the first point of contact for most queries. An opportunity has arisen for us that I shall be discussing with section committee in August.  Monica does a great job on our behalf, and although “pilots come first”, she does have another job within the T&G. You may be aware that the T&G are in the throes of an amalgamation – who knows what the future holds? No other section of the T&G has the autonomy that we have. 

Humber: ABP have now appointed a QC to defend their case. We still await their Disclosure of Documents.

Kristian: It is with regret that I have to report that Kristian lost his appeal for unfair dismissal (see page 10). 

Belfast: A contract for services was drawn up, and terms agreed, however, almost on the eve of signing, the CHA altered the terms. As such it is back to negotiation for now.

Boarding & Landing Code:

We haveentered discussion with the Btitsih Ports’ Association regarding the code (our version and theirs). Hopefully, as there is much common ground, we are close to adopting one code (see page 6).  Insurance: I have had several phone calls relating to incidents “some time ago” where nothing was written down. It is imperative that you keep records, even if the incident appears to be trivial.  Pension: The PNPF Trustees meet on July 17^th to make a formal reply to the offer regarding the deficit, made by the Association. Recent changes to pensions may mean that some districts, selfemployed, will have to look at their terms or contracts. I expect to be able to expand on that after the next trustee meeting.  The new web site is up and running, and is somewhat different. I intend to make much more use of this in the hope that a lot of paperwork can be avoided. Most local secretaries will have been receiving e-mails from me recently and many thanks for the replies. Those that haven’t had an e-mail please note – it’s because I don’t have your e-mail address (hint). It is not the intention to bombard you with megabytes of information, but to advise you that new information/circulars are available on the web site. How you advise your colleagues will be up to you. Those that don’t want the electronic notices will be able to get the paper versions. A circular will be sent shortly.

Best wishes to all, and safe piloting.

Joe Wilson

Vice Chairman

TRAINING

RESEARCH AND

CONSULTANCY

Chairman’s Report 01/06

January 15th, 2006 by JCB
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Chairman’s Report

I am writing this on behalf of our Chairman, Les, who is currently not available due to family ill health. I’m sure that you will all join me in sending him our thoughts and best wishes, during these difficult times.

Section committee continue to be fully committed, and we are currently assisting our colleagues in Belfast and Clyde, along with our long running assistance with Spurn Pilots, and SE Wales.

The situation in Belfast is nearing a conclusion, and I have been asked to pass on thanks to Dave Devey. I hope that Les will be able to report fully in the next issue.  A situation is developing on the Clyde, where it is anticipated that the next pilot recruit will be from within the port structure, and does not have the previous pre-entry qualifications. At this stage I would not want to report further.

We continue to meet the DfT on a regular basis, and they have been given the latest draft of our proposals for amendments to the Pilotage Act.

Don Cockrill, Avald Wymark, Gareth Rees and Brian Wilson continue to represent us with the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC), National Occupational

Standards (NOS) and Pilot Exeption Certificate (PEC) issues, Nigel Allen has become the front man for MarNIS. The T&TC have a full agenda here. It would appear that we may now be moving towards an involvement with PSSL (formerly BPIT), and have been invited to a meeting on May 25^th.

As I write this John Pearn and Paul Haysom are attending the 40^th EMPA General Meeting in Antwerp. EMPA contributed towards the rejection of the second port services directive; and, although a Lloyds List article reported it was “buried”, a more recent article suggests that it may not yet be dead – it is rumoured that there will be a third attempt to introduce a Port Access Directive in autumn. We await the Directive in the autumn.

We are currently in the position of handing over the hosting and running of the UKMPA web site to a professional company, and I would like to give my personal thanks to Julian Lancaster (Tees) for his work over the years. Hopefully we will have a more used web site, with such things as circular letters being fully available, and other interactive areas. A separate circular will be sent giving details.  The situation with the PNPF moves ever closer (I feel) to a court case – we now have QC’s giving differing opinions – and one saying I have heard (from another source) is “that we don’t know what the law is, until a judge tells us”. I’m sure that Debbie will touch upon it in her report. Richard Williamson, as Chairman of the trustees, has taken on a huge task, and thanks must go to his colleagues in Boston for their support.

We look forward to the Interim Delegate Conference on May 25^th, by which time we hope to be able to report more fully on the on-going situations. Can I just remind you that Conference 2006 has been moved to November 15^th/16^th, just prior to the IMPA Congress, November 20^th/24^th.

Joe Wilson, Vice Chairman

Chairman’s Report 10/05

October 15th, 2005 by JCB
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Chairman’s Report

With Parliament on its summer recess, London is in a quiet period. However, the conference season is upon us and I have attended the Labour Party conference for lobbying purposes. I met with the Shipping Minister, Dr Steven Ladyman, Ministers, MPs and MEPs on the Transport committee.  The Port Access Directive was discussed with Dr Ladyman and it would appear that, despite the activity in Brussels with presentations of amendments for consideration in the EU Parliament, the directive would not survive. The opportunity arose to meet with Lord Tony Berkeley in Brighton and questions have been formulated to be asked in the Lord’s regarding the lack of progress on the National Occupation Standards and on the use of a simulator programme set up for Belfast by the South Shields Maritime College. The questions and replies will be issued in a circular in the near future.

Department for Transport: The work on

the amendments to the 1987 Pilotage Act continues and, with recent events, further amendments are being considered and these will be presented to the Department in due course. Both Phil Hart (Pilotage) and James Weeden (Policy Advisor) will be at conference to give a presentation and answer questions.

Legal: Primarily we have been involved in the case involving Kristian Pedersen. A prehearing review was called for in advance of the Tribunal and I am pleased to inform you that the Chairperson of the Pre-hearing Review made it clear that there was a case to be heard at a Tribunal. Hopefully this will be heard by the latest March 2006. In the meantime Kristian has found employment and we wish him well both in his job and in the outcome of the Tribunal.

The T&G legal department have employed a Barrister to assist with the employment issues that have arisen in Belfast and Fergus Whitty is monitoring the situation. The Belfast Harbour Commission have presented a proposal for a new contract to the pilots. This new contract involves five pilots being made redundant.  Blake Lapthorn Linnell’s employment team will examine the contract. The Transport and General’s legal department is also involved, in particular, scrutinising the roster and holiday arrangements with regard to the WTD.

BLL are looking into the Bristol pilots contract and other issues and on behalf of Gloucester pilots with regard to insurance cover to piloting in an area not covered by their CHA.

The London pilots have legal work ongoing regarding a consultation Thames Notice to Mariner’s regarding the administration and use of local navigation certificates (shifting pilotage).

Europe: On the 6^th of September a Council of Presidents (COP) Task group met in Paris to discuss the European Port Package, EUPP(2). The commission had given a deadline of the 19^th of September for amendments to the directive to be received.  In Paris the amendments were considered in detail and a final draft prepared.

Arrangements were made to meet Georg Jarzembowski, the Rapporteur of the Ports Directive, on the 12^th to present the amendments. The amendments from all participants number 308 in total and these will be debated in the EU parliament on the 10^th of October.

It would appear that the Dutch Pilots Company do not wish to continue involvement in the MarNIS project. This will mean EMPA taking over the project and the re-organization will be discussed at the EMPA Board of Directors meeting in Antwerp on the 10^th and 11^th of October.  A Research and Development (R&D) group is being set up within EMPA that will take on the MarNIS project. The UK will have a prominent role in the (R&D) group.  Regarding ETCS, the code and guidelines are lodged with the EU Commission and EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) and we await their decision and comments.  The UK Government, in their role as President of the EU, is hosting a meeting to present to European Commissioners and other interested organizations a programme entitled ‘Maritime Employment Event’. The ‘Event’ will be held at the Excel Conference Centre in London’s Docklands on the 5^th of October and both Chris Lefevere, Secretary /General of EMPA and myself will be attending. The UKMPA continues to lobby in Brussels on your behalf on all matters that affect our profession.  A new EU project has recently surfaced with the acronym of ESMARALDA And it definitely is a case of ‘the bells, the bells’ tolling for pilotage. It talks about removing the necessity of boarding pilots at sea because of the time wasted in transiting to the berth. EMPA will have to become involved in this project and monitor it carefully. The ‘Esmaralda project’ has been designed by the European Harbour Masters Association (EHMA).

CHIRP: The AGM of CHIRP is being held on the 3^rd of October at Farnborough. The CHIRP maritime board will meet after the AGM. There is an interesting issue to be discussed regarding compulsory pilotage.  Please continue to make full use of the Confidential reporting system.

LG Cate, Chairman

Chairman’s Report 07/05

July 15th, 2005 by JCB
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Chairman’s Report

We are continuing to give our full support to Kristian Pedersen, SE Wales, during his current situation. He has had the bene.t of legal, UKMPA and T&G support since the .rst internal disciplinary hearing made the decision to dismiss him. An appeal was lodged and regrettably the internal appeal hearing upheld the dismissal. He was accompanied throughout by the T&G representative Alan Mayne and advised by Barrie Youde on a daily basis. The T&G appointed a Mr Robin Williams of Leo Abse in Cardiff to present his case of unfair dismissal to the Industrial Tribunal and this is now proceeding.

In the meantime we are endeavouring to .nd Kristian other employment in pilotage in the United Kingdom and any District that is able to assist in this matter please contact the UKMPA.

Department for Transport

Our regular meetings with the DfT continue. I have raised the subject of the lack of progress with the National Occupational Standards and a question will be asked in the House of Lords. I mentioned that the abuse of PEC’s is a continuing problem. In SE Wales compulsory vessels in a compulsory area are entering and leaving without either an authorised pilot or a PEC holder on board.  Belfast Harbour Authority has suggested that the pilots, although employed, may be asked to work from home in order that the Harbour Authority can circumvent the Working Time Regulations. I have asked the Department to look into this.

I am hoping for a meeting with the new Shipping Minister, Dr Steven Ladyman, in the near future. Lord Tony Berkeley is arranging this on our behalf.

The .rst draft of amendments to the 1987 Pilotage Act have been lodged with the DfT and are now being scrutinized by their legal department.

Legal

All contractual work for Wisbech Pilots has been completed to the satisfaction of the pilots. Serious problems have arisen in Belfast. I have met with Maurice Cunningham the T&G of.cer from Belfast and have informed the T&G legal Director of the  Situation. It would appear that 5 of the 15 pilots might be made redundant as a result of the pilots no longer manning the VTS. The T&G legal department is monitoring the situation carefully especially the idea of insisting the pilots work from home to circumvent the requirements of the Working Time Regulations. BLL is dealing with the new contract and a PEC issue for the Bristol pilots and is awaiting a new contract being issued to the Belfast pilots. Work has been done on behalf of Inverness and SE Wales.

Please Note: At a meeting on the 11^th of July 2005 with Blake Lapthorn Linnell it was agreed that the existing employed and self-employed retainers would apply to ALL PORTS.

Europe

The EMPA 39^th AGM was held in Sopot, Poland during the .rst week of June.

The election results were as follows:

President – Juha Tulimaa (Finland)

Senior Vice President

Board members as follows:

Claude Haut (France)

Chris Lefevere (Belgium)

Dieter Bloechl (Germany)

Paco Gayoso Mosquera (Spain)

Themis Daskalakis (Greece)

The new Editor of the EMPA Journal is Roger Allaert from the Belgian river Pilots.  Both Gianfranco Gasperinin, President of EMPA and Hein Mehrkens President of IMPA who died recently while in of.ce were remembered with affection.

Gianfranco’s widow and daughter were guests on the last day of the conference and received the EMPA medal on behalf of Gianfranco.

The general meeting agreed to send the completed ETCS (European Pilot Quali.cation) code and guidelines to the Commission in Brussels for their approval.

The GM did not wish the ETCS working group to continue. I therefore formed a Research and Development working group under the same UK management, namely

Gareth Rees and Brian Wilson. They will continue with the outstanding work involving specialist aspects of a pilot’s qualification that will not be sent to Brussels and then consider all new innovative technology that will affect pilots in the future.

It was agreed to oppose the proposed EUPP (2) (European Union Port Package) that includes competition in pilotage.  Support for the MarNIS project (Maritime Navigation Information Service) was unanimous. This project will continue until 2009 and if accepted could become law by 2012. At the moment SBP (Shore Based Pilotage) has been kept out of MarNIS.  Interestingly, IALA has also rejected the concept of SBP. However, it is practiced in some European ports!

I attended the Public Hearing on the EUPP (2) in the EU parliament in Brussels on the 14^th of June. The majority of representatives opposed the proposed Port Package, particularly the self- handling issue. Our ship owner “friends” were their usual delightful selves in condemning pilots opposition to inclusion in the Directive. The UKMPG (UK Major Ports Group) are also opposed to the directive.

CHIRP

A board meeting was held at Shell House in London to Review the success of the Programme thus far and present evidence to the DfT for continuing to fund the programme. It was generally accepted that it should continue because evidence is available that action has been taken to improve safety following reports being submitted.

L G Cate, Chairman