| Marine pilot role significant to maritime industry
THE economic and environmental risks from today’s large cargo ships make the role of a marine pilot very important at harbours and ports within Papua New Guinea.
Their size and mass makes large ships very difficult to maneuver; the stopping distance of a supertanker is typically measured in miles (kilometres) and even a slight error in judgment can cause millions of kina in damages.
For this reason; pilotage services are essential. Pilotage is one of the oldest, least-known professions, and yet it is one of the most important in maritime safety.
In Papua New Guinea, PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNGPCL) is oldest and longest provider of Pilotage services clocking 36 years this year since 1963 when the Corporation was then known as Papua and New Guinea Harbours Board.
A marine pilot is a mariner or seaman who guides ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbours or river mouths.
However, the pilot is only an advisor, as the master remains in legal, overriding command of the vessel.
Many years of experience in an operating area are required to qualify as a pilot.
By far, the most challenging part of any ship’s voyage, is the passage through the narrow waterways that lead to any port and the final docking of the ship.
The pilot brings to the ship expertise in handling large vessels in confined waterways and expert local knowledge of the port.
In addition to bringing local maritime expertise on board, the pilot also relieves the captain from the economic pressures that can compromise safety.
At the moment; PNGPCL has 15 pilots and 9 pilot boats in operation and plans are in place to recruit more qualified pilots and crew.
Prior to a pilotage strategic review undertaken earlier in 2009, PNGPCL had estimated that it would have to increase its pilot numbers from 15 to 20 over the next five years.
Pilotage services are available at most ports on a forty-eight (48) hours notice, and compulsory at the ports of Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Rabaul and Kimbe.
A pilotage service provider such as PNGPCL is also conscious of its staff safety and ensure that its pilot boats are in good shape and fitted with hi-tech emergency and navigational equipment. A marine pilot and crew are also required to wear life jackets, hard hats, safety vests and boots when carrying out their duties on board a pilot boat. For more information, please contact:
the.editor@pngports.com.pg | |