VIEW FROM THE CHAIR: Don Cockrill

February 24th, 2013 by JCB
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As I write this latest report to you, it seems incredible that a whole month has passed since the conclusion of the 21^st IMPA congress in London which we hosted.  Those of you who were able to attend will I am sure have enjoyed the experience from the opening ceremony, through the interesting (and entertaining) technical and administrative presentations of the week, the varied excellent social programme and the grand finale of the Gala Dinner. I have been inundated with expressions of thanks and commendations from numerous delegates and guests who attended the event which included not only pilots from around the world but a selection of Peers of the Realm, the IMO Secretary General, their Excellencies the ambassadors of Panama and Mexico and numerous significant figures from the UK and international ports and shipping communities.  The UKMPA can be justifiably proud of the success of this congress, all of which is attributable to the team that worked with John Pearn and I in the years and months leading to it.  Papers, photos and videos are all available via the UKMPA web site.  Now, its time to look ahead and start planning your trip to the 22^nd Congress in Panama in April 2014. See the UKMPA web site for further details.

Despite the huge amount of work required for the IMPA congress, life of course carries on as usual. The Marine Navigation (No2) Bill has continued to take up significant time in trying to educate MPs  and others on the naïve, foolhardy and dangerous attempt to deregulate the existing eligibility criteria for PECs contained within the Bill.  For some reason best known to themselves, the Bill’s sponsors believe that the Bill will improve safety in ports yet it is documented (in the public domain) that behind the proposal lies nothing more than pure commercial and political gain.  That gain (should the Bill’s proposal succeed) will be at the expense of the safety of navigation within our ports, the protection of the port, riparian and indeed the littoral environments and will threaten the integrity and efficiency of our ports and their infrastructures.  Additionally, it is being spelled out very clearly by us that the proposals are counter to the ethos and requirements of STCW and the policies published by the Dft and the MCA regarding maintenance of standards of operation by PECs and maritime experts generally.  It is thus essential that UKMPA members and others who understand the issues involved, spare no effort in continuing to work towards having the offending clause (2.1) removed from the Bill. MPs need to understand the dangers of the proposal.  It will however be a shame if the Bill fails completely as it includes other legislative modifications which will be of great benefit to the national interest in regard to navigational safety, environmental protection, commercial (trade) efficiency and public safety and security.

Meanwhile, the date for submissions to the Transport Select Committee’s investigation into Marine Pilotage has passed and I await news of whether (and when) oral submissions will be heard. Submissions by other parties are available on the UKMPA web site.

A number of UKMPA circulars have been issued recently, all were sent out by email and are also available on the UKMPA web site. In particular your attention is drawn to 24/2012 concerning the new UKMPA Rules.  If you have not received the circulars electronically (they will not be sent out in hard copy) then please ensure that your Local Secretary has your correct email address and that so also does the UKMPA secretary.

Local Secretaries will have received notice from Mike our Secretary of my offer to attend local port pilots’ association meetings if requested. Please let Mike know if you would like me to come and brief you to update and discuss the work of your Association and also to listen to any feedback or representations you wish to make to me. Needless to say that this is subject to my availability.

As indicated above, the work of the UKMPA executive (Section Committee) has continued apace. Since I last wrote, I and/or SC (and T&TC) members have attended the Certipilot inaugural meeting in Malta, a liaison meeting with Nautilus International, various IMPA 2012 planning meetings in London and Cardiff, a specific technical meeting on the use of Hadrian’s Rail systems on pilot boats (report to follow), VT PSG, UKSON, IMPA executive, The IMPA congress, CHIRP, the Trinity house / UKHO seminar on GenerationY, a number of meetings with MPS concerning the MNB, the All Party Parliamentary Maritime Group and a meeting with the  International P&I Group.   Additionally of course there are a number of on-going professional issues concerning members that are being dealt with.

Finally, I am hopeful that by the time you are reading this, we will have seen the publication of the revised and updated History of the UKMPA by Harry Hignett.  An announcement will be made when it is published.

We are now moving into the winter months with more frequent bad weather and longer dark nights.  Wherever you are at whatever time, do not forget that your personal health and safety comes before that of everything else, without exception.  If the ladder looks suspect and non-compliant, do not use it no matter what pressures you may be under to do so.

Safe sailing and as ever “Happy Landings!”.