Why is pilot Required

a) Expertise in local navigation

b) Sound knowledge of tide / currents

c) Local traffic movement

d) Dealing with shore authorities

e) Handling of tugs

The particular elements of the operational relationship between pilots and bridge officers includes:

a) The sharing of information such as passage plans and the vessel’s condition, and the factors affecting communication

b) The monitoring of the vessel’s movements by the master and/or OOW while she is under

c) The conduct of a pilot; and

d) The attitudes and behaviour on the bridge relating to teamwork

To conduct a ship’ must not be confused with being in command of a ship”. The first expression refers to action, to a personal service being performed; the second to a power The question whether a pilot has control of navigation is a question of fact and not of law. The fact that a pilot has been given control of the ship for navigational purposes does not mean that the pilot has superseded the master. 

The master is, and remains, in command; he is the authority aboard- he may, and does, delegate pad of his authority to subordinates and to outside assistants whom he employs to navigate his ship- i.e., pilots. A delegation of power is not an abandonment of authority, but one way of exercising authority.

Important points that helps in querying the pilot’s intention:

a) The bridge team being aware of the difficulties and constraints of the pilotage area

b) The pilot being aware of the characteristics and peculiarities of the ship.

c) The pilot being made familiar with the equipment at his disposal and aware of the degree of support he can expect from the ship’s personnel

Questions to ask to ensure information exchange with the pilot:

a) Has a completed pilot card been handed to the pilot?

b) Has the pilot been informed of the location of lifesaving appliances provided for his use?

c) Have the proposed passage plan, weather conditions, berthing arrangements, use of tugs and other external facilities been explained by the pilot and agreed with the master?

d) Are the progress of the ship and the execution of orders being monitored by the master and the officer of the watch?

What are the elements of an effective Master – Pilot relationship?

a) Communication

b) Manoeuvring Characteristics of the Vessel

c) Local Conditions

d) Manoeuvring and Passage Plans

e) Hand-over Briefings

f) Radio Communications

g) Language

h) Teamwork

Increasingly sea pilots are confronted with language difficulties and find themselves alone bridges or ships for considerable periods. 

Their ability to call the crew or cope with an emergency under these circumstances is dangerously limited, and they must never be left unattended.

In spite of a clear statement of roles and responsibilities, there is considerable uncertainty in the master/pilot relationship. It concerns the questions ‘Who is in charge of the navigation of the ship1 and what levels of interference will be tolerated by those on the bridge at the time?’

The Nautical Institute of the UK, in its guide to Bridge Team Management, states that:

Ideally, the Master and his team will be aware of the pilot’s intentions and be in a position to be able to query his actions at any stage of the passage. This can only be brought about by:

a)  The bridge team being aware of the difficulties and constraints of the Pilotage area

b)  The pilot being aware of the characteristics and peculiarities of the ship

The pilot being made familiar with the equipment at his disposal and aware of the degree of support he can expect from the ship’s personnel. 

The International Chamber of Shipping, in its publication Bridge Procedures Guide, states:

a) Has a completed pilot card been handed to the pilot?

b) Has the pilot been informed of the location of lifesaving appliances provided for his use?

c) Have the proposed passage plan, weather conditions, berthing arrangements, use of tugs and other external facilities been explained by the pilot and agreed with the master?

d) Are the progress of the ship and the execution of orders being monitored by the master and the officer of the watch?

PILOT CARD

Duty of the Master and Crew during Pilotage

How we will assist!!!

The master of a ship must amongst other thing ensure the safety of the ship, of all on board and of all who are threatened in any way by the proximity or operations of other ships. 

In the execution of his duties, he is entitled to the full co-operation and assistance from his officers and other members of his crew. All on board must go about their tasks in accordance with those ordinary practices of seamen that have been tried and tested over a long period of time i.e. the well understood standards of seamanship that safeguard against accident or error. It is the master’s responsibility to ensure that the crew support the pilot in his duties and the master may delegate the authority for this to the officer of the watch or other appropriate officers. 

It is the responsibility of the master, officers and other members of the crew to pass on all relevant information, including defects and peculiarities, to the pilot and to keep a proper lookout. The duty has been interpreted by the courts to include the duty to report all material circumstances and facts which might influence the pilot’s actions, even if the pilot is in a position where he ought to be able to see things clearly for himself. 

Where, in the master’s opinion, the situation developing is obviously dangerous, it is his duty to draw the pilot’s attention to the risk and, if necessary in his judgment, take over the conduct of the vessel. The master is not justified in doing nothing. 

The duty in of the pilot is to direct the navigation of the ship, and to conduct it so far as the course of the ship is concerned. He has no other power on board. The common law relationship between master and pilot is such that, when the latter is legally responsible for his own actions and the is restricted to circumstances where there is clear evidence of the pilot’s incurring his own liability,   is restricted to circumstances where incurring his own liability, is restricted to circumstances where there is clear evidence of the pilot’s inability or incompetence. 

Important points / lacuna to be plugged

• Inattention by the pilot or the OOW, or lack of communication between the pilot and the OOW 

• Teamwork is as important as technical proficiency for safe navigation

• Lack of a mutually agreed passage plan, lack of interaction, coordination and cooperation among the bridge team, lack of precise progress-monitoring by the OOW, etc.

• Limited pilots’ legal liability 

• Reluctance to question a pilot’s decisions

• Differences in perceptions between masters and pilots regarding the need for the exchange of information and the adequacy of the information being exchanged

• Pilots feel that they are not always provided with the manoeuvring characteristics of the vessel

• Masters that pilots do not always provide adequate timely information on local conditions. 

• Many masters feel that pilots do not always provide information regarding the passage plan

• Pilots and masters also disagree over the adequacy of hand-over briefings

• Many masters believe that pilots do not always convey information essential to safe navigation which is received by radio communications.

• Each party is under the assumption that the other knows the necessary information and, if they do not, they will request it

• Misperceptions that the other party knows about the manoeuvring characteristics of the vessel, or the local conditions and the intended passage plan can lead to significant misunderstandings and surprises for the bridge team.

• Language barrier.

• Pilots seldom assist the OOW in monitoring the vessel movements.

Perhaps attitudes must change. Things have come a long way in this industry, but cooperation is still lacking between bridge officers, masters and pilots. — A master

Some masters just want to be masters, smirk at advice, and treat you as an intruder. — A Pilot