ON STATION April 1, 2006 Page t FOCUS ON PILOT SAFETY he tragic deaths of two of our member pilots within three weeks of each other in January provide a com- pelling reminder of the risks invalved in piloting as well as che continuing need to give che safety of pilots the highest priority Captain Kevin Murray of che Columbia River Bar Pilots fell ino che water while descending a ladder from an out- bound ship at the Ber on January 9. The pilot boat crew atcempted to retrieve him but was not successful. His body ‘was found two days later. On January 29, Captain Dave Lyman of the Hawaii Pilots fell from a ladder while disem- barking from 2 cruise ship at the entrance to Nawilwili Harbor on the island of Kauai. Although the pilot boat oper- acor was able to pull him aboard and bring him ashore, he died from injuries sustained in the accident. Additional information abou Captains Murray and Lyman can be found inside this edition of ON STATION. Both accidents are being investigated. ‘The details of what happened and any lessons learned from each should \wait until the investigations are complete, It seems clear, however, that there is no common causal link between the two accidents. What is common becween them, however, is thac both pilots were killed in che performance of their duties. They were doing something that all pilors do every- day throughout the world, ‘Transferring between large ves- sels and pilot boats or helicopters in all types of conditions is not simply how pilots get to and from work; i is an incegeal and necessary part ofthat work. A typical pilot will make the difficult transfer between two moving platforms chousands of times without any problem, Nevertheless, most pilots have fallen, been injured in some way, or had a close eall at least once during their careers. There is always risk co per- sonal safety in this aspect of piloting, ‘The piloting profession needs to work continually to minimize this sk. ‘The profession should rededicate itself to making this common, unavoidable pare ofa pilot’ job as safe as possible. “The Murray and Lyman accidents have already prompted many APA members to reexamine their personal safety gear, including floatation devices, EPIRBS, and strobe lights; retrieval and reeeue equipment and proce: dures on the pilor boats and erining of both bose personnel and pilot. At the recent West Coast Pilocs Meeting held in San Francisco, for example, separate break-out session fea- tured presentations and discussions on these subjects, ‘The session was heavily attended, and many participants com- ‘mented that they would be considering changes to their ‘operations and policies based on information exchanged in the session. OF course, modern safety equipment, piloc boats, helicopter services, and other items of che transfer infrastructure cost money. Rate-serting authorities should make sure that pilots have the funding necessary for the safest possible transfer operations. This is not an area on which to serimp. In the efforts to improve the safety of pilor transfers, pilots should have the assistance of the Coast Guard in enforcing US and international laws on pilot transfer ‘arrangements. There are far coo many ships that arrive in US. ports with transfer arrangements that to do not meet the SOLAS requirements and IMO and ISO standards. Of par- ticular concer are a number of US-flag and foreign-flag. ‘with hull shapes that prevent che ladder from Iying flat against the side of the ship ~ as required by SOLAS. ‘These illegal, dangerous ships have been allowed to operate in US ‘waters for toa Tong, Pilots should also refuse to colerate unsafe Indders or transfer arrangements. Every pilot has encountered defec- tive, poorly maincained, or improperly rigged or manned lad= ders. In deciding what to do in these types of situations, pilots should not hesitate co place their own safety ahead of ‘other concesns. Pilot commissions and che Coast Guard should support pilots who exercise their right to refuse unsafe boarding and disembarking arrangements. As reported in past editions of ON STATION, Captain Mike Watson is chairman of an IMPA eommiecec working on * package of improvements to the curtent international stan- ards for ploc wansferarcangements, ‘That efor will even- tually lead to proposed revisions ro the SOLAS requite- ments. Getting those proposals adopted at the IMO will take time, however, Meanwhile, there is much chat could be dione to enhance the safery of pilot transfers iFonly the eure rent sundards were more Figorously enforced, ‘As the APA membership extends its sympathies to che families of Capsain Kevin Murray and Captain Dave Lyman, it should rededicate itself to protecting the safety of all pilots. ‘That would cercainly be one ofthe best ways ta honor the memories of these two colleagues. <Page 2 ON STATION. DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAINP ‘log states and port seates sill struggling co imple- \ \ J lea sentooncnns on ater degen plans are underway at the IMO ro begin another com- prehensive revision of the Convention, ‘That was the major story {ocmerge ftom the 37th Session of the STW Subcommittee, held January 23-27, ‘The first ine of chis development occurred early in the ses- sion, Towards the end of his opening address, IMO Secretary General Admiral Ethimios Miopoulos offered che suggestion thar because mare than ten years had elapsed since che last major revision of the STCW, and beeause ir had been amended four times since chen with more amendments likely in the next few ‘years, “perhaps che time had came for the Sub-Commitcee to give some preliminary consideration tothe need for, and the timing of, another comprehensive review of the Convention." Experienced IMO delegates recognized the comment for more than simply an offhand musing by che organizations leader. Later in the session, while discussing the work program for STW 38, the delegates debared che need for « comprehensive review suggested by the Secretary General. In parcicular, che del- cegates noted 2 numberof proposals chat have recently been made for various amendments to the Convention and expressed the view thac chese, as well as uny other near-term amendments, should all be addressed concurrently. The Subeommictee eventus ally adopted a proposal ta the Maritime Safety Committee outline ing a two-step project. First, the Subcommistee would define in detail the issues to be reviewed, including any new items to be addressed in a revised STOW. Those would be submited to the MSC for its approval. Once the MSC approves the issues, work would begin on developing amendments to address those issues, ‘The entire project would have a target completion dace of 2008, with amendments coming into foree in 2010. AMERICAN PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION 499 South Capitol Street, S.W., Suite 409 ‘Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 484-0700 + Fax: (202) 484-9320 Copan MichaetR, Woason oss President CCaprain Whit Sith Captain Bie A. Nielsen Captain Gary Madox Sceretary-Theaurer . Vie President-North Alanie States fice President South Atlantic Sates (Captain Michael ©, Tousen, .....++++» Vice Presdent-Gulf Stes (Captain Michael R. Laxino... Vee Presiden-Oulf States (Louisiana) (Captain Steven D. Brown ......, Vice Prsident-Paciie Coat States Capaain Danny H. Gallagher. Vice Pesident-Greut Lakes Paul G. Rtehner Lisa P Kates Executive Director General Counsel Brccitive Assistant ON STATION is published by the American Plo’ Asocatian, 4 non oft cade assoction composed af groups of steliensed pias fpertng in each of the come stes at well 9s groupe of United Stes Fewster plows im dhe Great Laker region. Esch. APA member pil fsevives ON STATION, the costs af which ate paid from the member’ ‘ues. Any comments. seston or questions concerning ON STATION ‘shouldbe deed she attention of the Editors the above uddtss. April 1, 2006 ‘The Subcommitvse’s written justification for the proposal contains a list of illustrative new ivems that might be considered forthe review and for inclusion ina revised STCW. On the list are such items as standards for ratings (currently under the jurisdic tion of the ILO), criteria for safe manning and mandatory rest periods taking into account new security duties and recent esearch on farigue, mandatory ECDIS raining, stondards for competence of seafarers on LNG vessels and tankers, sleohol lim= ‘methodologies. During the first stage ofthe review, however, any country oF non-governmen- tal organization could propose any subject for revised STOW. For example, issues that were debated during the development of the 1995 amendments, such as ineluding pilotage under the Convention and Code, could be reintroduced, ‘This proposed comprehensive review of STCW, no matter how appropriate or useful ic may be, would therefore present ample opporsniy for mischief. Ie will warrant close watching by the APA, IMPA and other supporcers of national regulated piloeage systems. Captain Mike Watson and Paul Kirchner were members of che US delegation to STW 37. Captain Watson will be on the US del- ‘egation atthe Bist Session of the MSC (May 10~ 19), at which che STW Subcommittee's proposal wil be considered.& DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN? January 18 the European Pianen riod fre see Otis rene Po Ses osed by the Jermied bwesvet tthe Ewepeon Camis, The tno ie as an ovrhlning 32120 toto ef recing te prope. ‘wt he it venom of he Diese developed in 200 and tied n 200 ts verdon conned s nie af reson cxtnstly iene ede et and improve efter st Euopear pore bY mandning sompsitn po soeen insane plage The mojr oben ee Deca ca tied on props oencurge sled “a hanng yw. sc penae! af exe ensign leding and even of pong ‘hug enson plage eempeon ees, During Seon in Parianon 9 menber fom the UK commented o the poate pons Selfhndingsderons, wuld rae Keaton ee higher Opting pixie tee a th loos pe eon hrm sof Tees i to im chene indi woul expos tee populain ane ‘There have been reports thet the EC intends to make yet another attempt to “reform” pore services this surmmer.April 1, 2006 WATSON IMPOSTER SPOTTED DOWN UNDER aptain Mike Warson may noc have been physically present at the Pan-Asian Pitotage Conference 2006 held in Sydney, Austria, March 14 - 15, bur his presence was certainly felt = orat least heard, He was a scheduled speaker at the eonference bbuc was forced to eancel his rip atthe lasc inure due to an unex pected minor medical problem. Fortunately, IMPA Secrecary General Nick Curmore, who was already attending che conference, ‘manfully stepped into the breach and gave Captain Watson's pre- pared presentation on “Security ~'The Demands on Pilots” In his presentation, Caprain Watson not only discusses how US pilots are dealing with securiey measures, but also comments on the roe of pilots. Nocing the theme of che Conference, “Managing the Evolution of Modern Pilotage,” he states that while the prace tice of pilotage has obviously evolved, as ic always has, and new ways of thinking about what pilots do may offer some valuable insights, the "essential function ofa pilot on the bridge of a ship has not changed and should not change.” In particular, he criti- izes some recent ideas for altering the tradicional role of che pilot ‘on the bridge and the plo’ relationship with the bridge crew. He concludes, "These are dangerous ideas ~ dangerous to safety and to the pilosing profession. We should resist proposels to push the pilot to the back of the wheelhouse. We should oppose efforts to cet che pilot out ofthe navigation ofthe ship.” |A copy of che presentation can be obtained fiom the APA office SHANGHAI PILOTS VISIT APA 12 December 30, four members of che Shanghai Pilots [Association vsiced the APA office and met with Captain Watson and Paul Kirchner. After a traditionsl exchange of sis, che participants discussed che respective pilocage systems and operations in their wo counties. Captain Mike Watson receives vas from representatces of the ‘Shanghai Pilots Associaton. ON STATION Page 3 IN MEMORIAM ‘The following remarks by US Rep. David Wa (D-OR) were entered into the Congressional Record of Febwary 14, 20006: Mr: Speaker, I rice aday to hovor Capra Kevin ©. Murray soho last his fe wile performing his cuts asa Golwnibia River ‘ar pitor onthe neh of Jemnary 9, 2006. Where the Columbia River mecs te Pacific Oran ie spectace- larly beauifa, st itis also the erst cer bar pase in North America. Colunbia River bar pitos have sere vessel in the Ioser Columbia across the treacherous bar since 1846, mabing it ove ofthe oldest business i the Pacific Norhecst. This salle dar has caied some 2,000 wesels and 100 fives sine th early 19th entry. Daring a transfer back tothe pias boat Chino, in ‘eacy winter seas, Captain Murray, 50, a resden of Tacs, Wa, and Boobs, ME, was thrown into the ocean wae. Despite dhe alia efforts of is er, Caprain Murray sucambe to the frigid can temperature. Heis saroived by is wif, Loi Stason Murray, and his moth- x Phyllis Marray, of Boothbay Harbor: ME. Captain Murray teas a seasoned, experince shor of the seas. He began his career working on towing vessel, owing seni-submersbe oil rigs in and ‘ut ofthe Gulfof Mesca, Heater eaptained a T0-fot el ante ‘he Blue Ridge, and held an unlimited masier's ese allowing fi to eaptain any sie cee in any waters ia the world, He had esiensice experience inthe eaters fram Masta to Sau France, ‘salting in bis reeruitment by the Coluntia River Bar Pitots in 2004. Fellow Golunbia River bar pilots remember Capri ‘Murray as a wonderfl person, strom, sitewt type, with a que, iden sese of amr. Leen ny heartfelt condolences to Lori, hs wife: Pls dis smather:aud allofhis family and frends This trie dremning the fist loss ofa Golub River bar plo sae 1973, highligh le danger thar these brave pilots Jue daily in navigaring the Coluntia Ricer bar, ale bnoen 0s the “grrceard ofthe Pacific’. The bar pilots macigne cruise ships, U.S: Nay eee, foreign ves. sels and cargo vessels, inbound and outbonnd on the Golunbia River though the bar: Their hills and work are crucial aspets of ‘he economic heath of the deepeater ports of Oregon and Wshington aud the lcciboad ofthe Pac Northeast