ISPO Conference 2016 Abu Dhabi presentation: Balancing between the authoritarian role and operational role of the pilot. Where are the limits? (Capt. Lafi Al-Murtaji, Marine Operations Group) Kuwait Oil Company

1. ISPO 2016, Abu Dhabi
Balancing the Pilot’s
Authority & Limitations
presented by
Capt. Lafi Al-Murtaji, Team Leader Port Ops.
Kuwait Oil Company
www.kockw.com Oct 2016

2. THIS PAPER
We will talk about:
• The Pilot’s authority in taking independent decisions & his operational
limitations.
• Delicate balancing act that the Pilot manages for a successful job.
• Combined interests of vessels and Mina Al-Ahmadi Port.
www.kockw.com

3. Pilot’s Presence on a Vessel
Common Knowledge of a Pilot’s position on a Vessel:
• Pilotage is mandatory in most of the international ports.
• Pilot is hired as a specialized Advisor to the Master.
• Master has the command of the vessel, Pilot has the con.
www.kockw.com

4. Role of Port Authority
• Enforce regulations to promote safety and protection of
maritime environment.
• Assign anchorages, Traffic Separation Schemes, channels, Nav.
aids and Port Limits.
• Impose Pilotage, traffic control & support services.
• Deploy competent resources.
• Be a link between the vessel and the Port State.
www.kockw.com

5. Pilot’s Authority & Limitations - 1
Pilot’s authority in taking independent decisions :
• All actions to promote safety and protection of maritime
environment.
• Can delay or abort any operation, with proper justification.
• Decides on suitable resources for specific operations.
• Demand a Bridge Team with proper working relationship.
• Rejects a vessel not meeting port requirements.
• Can demand to be relieved, if fatigued.
www.kockw.com

6. Pilot’s Authority & Limitations – 2
Pilot’s role limitations:
• Although he has highly specialized knowledge of the port, but
the Master may over-ride him.
• May be pressurized to complete a dangerous job by the Port
Authority.
• May be given inadequate resources, but he must complete
the job.
• He may accept operational risks, as not easy to change
employers.
www.kockw.com

7. Balancing His Authority & Limitations
A pilot has a delicate role and needs to balance his authority &
limitations for a smooth and successful job.
The following 3 slides reflect the Pilot's balancing actions in
different cases.
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8. Rejecting a non-complying vessel
The Pilot must make delicate decision to reject a vessel if he can
justify that the port safety is affected.
Examples:
• Master under influence of Alcohol.
• Master is arrogant & non-cooperative, but not breaking any
rules.
• Vessel’s crew found incompetent.
• Some of the vessel’s equipment in not operational, but the
berthing can be done.
• Visible condition is poor, but the vessel is approved by
Vetting / Port.
www.kockw.com

9. Dispute between the Pilot and Master or Tug-Master
Pilot is required to use his skills to overcome a dispute, to protect
the safety of the Port & Marine Environment.
www.kockw.com
Pilot has the con, but not the command :
1. Must convince the Master for any dis-
agreeable action.
2. If the Master over-rides Pilot’s orders,
consult with the Harbour Master and take
appropriate action for port’s safety.
3. During low visibility or bad weather
conditions, must assure the Master that the
job can be done.
Disputes with the Tug Master :
1. The Pilot’s decision over-rides the Tug-
Master, because he has the overall
responsibility.
2. Can order for a replacement tug at any time,
if he feels safety of operation is in danger.
3. Must abort the operation, if the dispute has
happened at a critical time.

10. Aborting Operation:
During an operation, the Pilot is required to make a balanced
choice and decide which is safer – to continue or abort:
• Challenging weather conditions.
• Vessel related reasons where safety of the operation is
compromised.
• Shore resources are inadequate.
• Unexpected close-quarter situation developed.
• A dispute with the Master or the Tug-Master is leading to
unsafe situation.
www.kockw.com

11. The Pilot is protected by law. However subject to his
organization’s code of conduct.
www.kockw.com
Protection available to the Pilot :
1. Vessel owner can sue the Port but not the
Pilot.
2. Pilots are covered under Company’s
Insurance.
3. Vessel or Insurance will pay damage costs.
4. Vessel pays pollution fines due to an
accident, not the Pilot.
Risks to the Pilot :
1. Subject to investigation for every incident.
2. Blamed by Company, if found at fault.
3. May loose his job.
Pilotage accident
Protection available to the Pilot & risk to his job

12. Positive features
• We have well defined Port Operations Manual, Codes & Guidelines.
• An annual “Pilot Performance Audit” system for all pilots is implemented.
• Competency based training system, including Technical and Simulator refreshers for all Pilots.
• Bi-annual medical test.
• Minimum requirement for Pilots is Master (FG) Cert.
• Port Authority e-mail available for direct correspondence.
• “Master’s Feedback Form” available as a confidential document to indicate vessel’s level of satisfaction.
• “Customer Satisfaction Survey” from terminals and stake-holders available.
Difficulties faced
• Facing difficulties in operations due to continued shortage of Pilots.
• Kuwait Maritime Administration has not established resources to grant CoC, resulting in slow
Kuwaitization.
• Endeavoring to deliver best turn-around time, in spite of multiple parities involvement.
www.kockw.com
Balancing between interests of visiting vessels
& Mina Al-Ahmadi Port

13. www.kockw.com
End
Thank you
Oct 2016