Chairman’s Report: Spring 2011

June 13th, 2011 by JCB
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It has been a busy few months with a number of serious issues coming to a head for colleagues in ports around the country. Some have concluded satisfactorily, others are still ongoing. The wide ranging readership of this magazine makes it inappropriate to publish details here but I will be able to explain more at conference in May.

The government’s spending review is hitting all sectors of our society and shipping is no exception. Of particular concern is the impact on navigational safety risk mitigation measures and associated facilities. You will be aware of the recent extensive consultation on modernisation of the Coastguard to which the UKMPA made a submission. I recently attended an MCA meeting on the removal of Emergency Towing Vessels which it would appear a was a summary decision by the Minister, with the MCA playing no part. The Maritime Incident Response Group (http://bit.ly/flh7SQ) is under real threat of disbandment and funding has been terminated for maritime CHIRP. The latter is actively seeking alternative funding.

Members of Section Committee have attended and participated proactively at various meetings over the period. All are important but a few points are worthy of particular mention. Martin James attended a HSE event in Liverpool in January. The MCA made a presentation which contained reference to PMSC compliance and verification visits. One particular slide indicated that of the 5 ports subject to PMSC re-validation visits over the last 3 years all rated a 100% failure / non compliance for “pilotage and passage planning”. This was a shock to say the least.

It will be no surprise that I followed this up immediately. On discussing it at Spring Place it transpires that the section in question includes all matters to do with pilotage including administration and all the points noted actually had nothing to do with Passage Planning as such but were related to risk assessments for 2 pilots, lack of formal disciplinary procedures, inadequate planning time in standoff notice, fatigue management regimes, PEC tripping requirements and revalidation procedures. It may be worth considering if any of these issues are applicable to your own operations.

John Pearn, Mike Morris and I attended the UK ports policy conference in January which gave an interesting insight into the government’s and others perspective on the years ahead for UK ports and of course the ability to “network” for the Association. Proving that we need to “be at the table if we don’t want to be on the menu”. One of the last presentations was by the Office of Fair Trading giving a summary of a study into  the ownership of UK ports infrastructure which raised issues of competition in port service provision.

I subsequently wrote to the OFT explaining the dangers of competition in pilotage and received an appropriate reassurance that currently “Competition in pilotage is not a subject we are pursuing on the back of the Infrastructure Ownership and Control study”.

Also in January, I met with the Head of Maritime Policy of the Transport Security and Contingencies Directorate (Transec) to discuss the role of pilots in UK border security. No decisions or actions arose but it is a matter which is sure to develop.

We have been significantly involved with Videotel in the updating of their Bridge Procedures training videos. Matt Easton from Liverpool has been attending scripting meetings to ensure that no unrealistic assumptions are made by the producers.

In addition there has been attendance at EMPA meetings, the IMO, parliamentary meetings, and continuous communication with numerous parties not least our accountants and insurance advisers.

There are several important diary dates coming up for you to consider:

May 11^th is the Annual UKMPA conference. Details have been well promulgated on our web site and by your local secretaries. The timing and delegate fee are both devised in order to make it as cheap as possible for all members to attend. This is not just for your representatives, this is for you to participate in as an Association member, a chance to meet colleagues, discuss issues and quiz your executive committee – me included!

Communication is the key to any successful organisation and our Association is no exception. I hope that you have noticed the increase in information flow by email through you Local Secretary and we are also working on upgrading the web site with a view to presenting and providing even more information in this already comprehensive resource. If you do not yet have a password (or have forgotten it) do not hesitate to email UKMPAoffice@yahoo.com and one will be provided. Any ideas that you have for improvements to the site are also welcome at the same address.

Finally, remember that this is your Association, working on your behalf for the benefit of us all and our profession. It can only work effectively with input  great or small from members. So don’t be shy, get involved. Any Section Committee member can give you details.

I look forward to seeing you aboard the Wellington in May. Meanwhile, be safe.

Don Cockrill