Excerpt from U.S. Coast Guard Proceedings of the Marine
Safety & Security Council magazine by Captain Michael R. Watson,
president, American Pilots’ Association.
Even though pilots are a
critical component of safe and efficient maritime transportation of people and
cargoes, and have been operating in port areas for hundreds of years, there
still exists some confusion and misunderstanding regarding the role and
function of pilots.
When a ship is in U.S.
compulsory pilotage waters, responsibility for its safe navigation is shared
between the pilot and the vessel master. A pilot, when aboard a ship and
engaged in pilotage duties, directs the ship’s navigation. The pilot’s
authority to direct the ship’s movements is, however, subject to the master’s
overall command authority and responsibility for the ship’s safety.
Since the pilot is not a
crewmember, he or she is insulated from the economic pressures on shipping
interests, and directs the movement and navigation of the ship in a manner that
protects the marine environment and maintains navigational safety while
facilitating waterborne commerce.
American Pilots’ Association Guidance
It is not unusual in some
segments of the maritime community to hear a pilot described as merely an
“advisor” to the master. That description is not consistent with principles of
U.S. pilotage law; it is counter to mandates given to vessel masters under
international regulations and doesn’t reflect how a pilot carries out his or
her duties on the bridge of a ship.
It is important to the
overall navigational safety of a vessel that the master, bridge team, and other
vessel interests have an understanding of—and respect for—the role and
responsibilities of the pilot.
While not having the legal
effect of case law, agency rulings, or regulations, the American Pilots’ Association
statement on the role and responsibilities of the pilot is a good reference in
the event of any confusion or misunderstanding regarding the proper role of the
pilot.
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Captain Morgan Hoburg, San Francisco Bar Pilots, steps from the
pilot boat to the pilot ladder.
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Full article is available at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/spring2011/.
Subscribe online at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/subscribe.asp.
http://www.americanpilots.org/
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