125th Annual Conference & House of Lords Dinner

March 26th, 2014 by JCB
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HQS Wellington on Victoria Embankment once again gave a convivial venue for the 125th Annual general meeting and conference of the Association. The conference was a two day event which started with a social gathering of members, wives and guests at the Old Bank pub in London the evening before. One of the highlights of the conference was the attendance of the Shipping Minister, whose speech to members acknowledged the importance of our profession and the contribution of the work of the Association.

Chairman’s report 

Don Cockrill officially opened the AGM and conference on Wednesday 25 September 2013. The Chairman’s report to conference contained many important items of what the Association had been involved with and the many difficult situations, including legislation both being implemented and proposed faced by the profession we all work in. Don reported that he and the Section Committee had worked tirelessly at many events to raise the profile of the Association in many key areas of the maritime sector, all of which contributed to a successful year.

Earlier in the year Don Cockrill and Nick Cutmore, Secretary General IMPA, along with Nautilus and Unite, gave evidence to the Transport Select Committee (TSC) inquiry into Marine Pilotage. Since the TSC report, Don was pleased to announce that the Association now meets regularly with the Department for Transport (DfT). This is a growing relationship. Meetings continue and recently the Association Executives gave a presentation to DfT officials about the role of the pilot. Don emphasised the need to continue networking in the maritime sector and to be involved with as many of the steering groups as possible to improve our profile.

Work is ongoing with Unite the Union and also with Nautilus working in partnership with the Association in interests of professionalism. Don discussed at some of the ports issues regarding the Pilots National Pension Fund (PNPF). He gave an update by Joe Wilson PNPF Trustee. Don briefed delegates on how the Association communicates with the outside world, using social networks, such as Twitter and Linkedin. He outlined ideas to increase this presence.

President’s report 

Don welcomed the President of the Association, Lord Tony Berkeley OBE. Tony addressed the conference and reviewed current maritime affairs. This included matters at Parliament level here in the UK and in Europe where there are a number of forthcoming debates. He was particularly warmed by the level of professional work carried out by members and how the presence of the Association has developed in the maritime industry. He focused on the current economic situation and how modern deep sea container terminals face overcapacity. This places commercial pressures on ports and difficulties in investment with regard to future energy needs. He personally thanked Don Cockrill for his hard work and achievements and went on to add that he had been President with four previous Chairman and that the role of the Chair is an onerous one. Association members needed to ensure that a proper representation is maintained in London. Members should give appropriate support for the Chair.

Treasurer’s report

Bob Watt presented the annual budget, which was accepted. He informed members that subscriptions will rise in the next financial year. The membership has enjoyed four years of annual fees at the same level. This is down to consolidation in particular areas of expenditure and to tight budgeting.  Direct debits have been introduced, increasing the efficiency of the treasurer’s work, enabling other activities of fund management to increase the working efficiency of  the Association’s funds.

Special Awards

Honorary Associate life memberships were awarded to Geoff Taylor and Norman McKinney for their outstanding work and contribution, which still continues.

Shipping Minister’s address 

Don welcomed Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport. The Minister paid tribute to the work of pilots and spoke about
co-operation to encourage growth in the maritime sector. He stressed the importance of maritime trade to the UK. He welcomed the success of London International Shipping Week, as a demonstration of the skills of Maritime UK and its ability to respond to demand as the UK emerges from recession. He touched on the Marine Navigation Act and the proposed European package on Port services. He thanked the Association for its involvement in the Transport Select Committee and its presentation to the DfT about the work of pilots.

Don Cockrill presented the Minister with a book on the history of the Association. The full address given to conference by Stephen Hammond can be found on the conference website.

Technical and Training Committee (T&TC)

Nick Lee, Chairman of the T&TC, identified team members and their work, which included the AZIPILOT project, AZIPILOT guide book and Peer Support. Nick introduced the Marine Pilots certificate scheme, and explained how the certificate would be implemented and the challenges faced. He reviewed pilot ladder safety, feeling that the MCA were lethargic in responding to unsafe ladders. He urged pilots to take photos of unsafe ladders for evidence. Nick introduced
the T&TC’s report into Hadrian’s safety rail system.

Secretary’s report

Members were told that current level membership numbers have grown, even with consolidation in pilot authorisations at some ports. The continued growth indicates
the Association’s strength in supporting members. New application forms are being prepared, including online. Jason Wiltshire, local secretary for Dover, is membership secretary. Members are reminded to keep their username and password are up to date for the UKMPA website.

Some members over the past period have had the use of Unite membership, mainly for help in industrial relations and in negotiations of terms and conditions of employment and with pension issues. Unite also has an education programme offering a wide range of courses, from Industrial negotiations, health and safety, Accident and Incident investigation to IT skills and pensions. Members are encouraged to make use of these facilities.  The education courses brochure is available on the Unite website, where members will find they can benefit from help with Wills, legal representation and home and life insurance. You are encouraged to contact your local Unite office and form a rapport with them. As required by the Association’s constitution, the executives and deputies of section committee for Regions 3 and 4 must offer themselves for re-election. The deputy’s position for Region 4 was vacant and Peter Carmichael of Dundee was duly elected and Bob Watt was re-elected (for Region 4). Both Peter Lightfoot and John Parnaby were duly re-elected for Region 3. An important note. The Association has considered whether it is required to register with the ICO for compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. From guidance issued by the ICO the Association is exempt but will, of course, follow any guidance issued by the ICO in the Guide to Good Practice.

Before Conference, John Pearn held an annual meeting in London with brokers Ken Pound of Bisso and Drew Smith of Circle Insurance. The first session of the meeting included representatives from the underwriters of the policy at Lloyds of London. The meeting is important for the opportunities it offers to discuss current issues in the Insurance market and allows confidential discussions on current claims relating to bespoke insurance policies that Association members hold. It shows the strength and professionalism of our team in representing members’ insurance interests. Circulars regarding insurance are sent regularly to members. Drew Smith of Circle Insurance gave an address on insurance to conference delegates.

Open Sessions

Michael Read Leigh: Department for Transport

Michael was present for the meetings held between the Association and the DfT. His presentation began with brief introductions to key figures and their relationships within the DfT and other government organisations. He emphasized Government’s underlining of the importance of the maritime sector and the handling of legislation, such as ‘cut the red tape challenge’ intended to assist economic growth. Some of the key points of this are deregulation, localism, non-regulatory measures and relationships with Europe. He reviewed issues relating to the Marine Navigation Bill 2013 and how this fits in with the PMSC Guide to Good Practice. He then mentioned proposed legislation by Europe regarding port services and how the UK viewed regulation in this area. He went on to explain pilotage and port safety and Government’s maritime priorities. Michael Read Leigh’s presentation is available on the UKMPA conference website.

 

Stein Inge Dahn: President of EMPA

Conference delegates welcomed Stein Inge Dahn, President of EMPA, who gave a very good presentation and update on European aspects of the EU ports services proposal, which continues to be one of the Association’s focal points in protecting members and their careers from deregulation and any competition in pilotage. The Association also has Mike Morris from Manchester pilots, who is a Vice President of EMPA, and is active in representing UK interests, in partnership with EMPA, concerning current levels of work in the EU.

Nick Cutmore: Secretary General of IMPA
Nick spoke to delegates of the importance of working together as an Association and as IMPA. The IMO has held recent navigational meetings, and IMPA is privileged as an NGO to be able to benefit from pilots’ experience and to be able to say ‘only yesterday I was on a ship…’ It goes a long way when you have recent and relevant experience among members. He congratulated the Association on the IMPA2012 Congress, which was an overwhelming success.

 

House of Lords Dinner

 

Members and their guests had the honour of invitations from the President of the Association, Lord Tony Berkeley, to dine at the House. The evening event started with a tour and history of the Houses of Parliament. Those attending were shown the entrances to the House of Lords and House of Commons. Pre-dinner drinks were served at the House bar, after which members and guests took their seats in the dinner room, having been ceremonially invited by the Toast Master. This was a very privileged occasion, marked with a grand menu and by many bottles of fine wine.  

 

Day 2 of conference

This consisted of very informative education presentations.

 

Tim Crowch a former airline pilot has been working in the human elements of bridge resource management in shipping. His excellent presentation stressed the importance of a pilot and highlighted the importance of a command of communications and how these can best be employed effectively. He also spoke forcefully about communication in bridge team relationships. His presentation is available on the conference website and will reward close study. He has continued his work with the Liverpool pilots MRM course, which continues to receive excellent reviews. The Pilot magazine will hopefully have more articles on this work in future editions.

 Jeremy Dale is the Director of Sea Safe and has been involved in and supported pilot safety for many years. His presentation, given with the aid of power point and video production, was on pilot personal safety. The video production looked at a staged pilot falling from the ladder and considered what should be done when first in the water. He illustrated the danger signs and symptoms of injuries, dry drowning and hypothermia.

Pilots have known John Simpson for many years. He is a former pilot who now works as a Marine Consultant specialising in marine casualties and salvage. John talked about how he has used his professional knowledge to further a marine career, and explained how his career had taken a different route from the one he thought when initially entering pilotage.

Martin Maloney is a surveyor and hydrographer with Anthony D. Bates LLP. He presented the topic ‘Thinking inside the box’ as a way of looking at dredging campaigns by CHAs and the declaring of depths, especially in berth boxes. This informative and relevant topic is available on the conference website.

Tom Wooley is Director of Targe Towing and Chairman of the British Tug Association. As a Director he has been involved with the design and contracts of modern tugs.
He discussed the issue of charters, appointing towage, and the fit for purpose of many modern tug designs, pointing out recent serious accidents occurring to tugs. The Pilot magazine hopes to have more articles from Tom Wooley, as part of the Association’s continued activity in close contact with the BTA.

Mike Harrison of Inshore fenders spoke about modern fendering found in ports and also as mobile units. There was discussion on the topics of design and impact assessments, as well as design in combination with modern ports and terminals. He was also able to give guidance on what to look out for in poor fendering arrangements that often result in damage, even with the lightest of touches!

William Long is a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot and currently works for Eurocopter. He gave a lighthearted presentation on the benefits of helicopter operations.
He openly discussed the challenges of the operations and costs involved and gave examples of how and where operations could be set up.

Closing the conference, John Pearn presented gifts to Don Cockrill and Peter Lightfoot for their hard work in organising the conference. It was highly successful, with attendance by Government figures and with many interesting presentations on a wide range of issues in pilot operations.

Members can view the minutes of Conference by logging on to the UKMPA website, where some of the education presentations can be found .