ON STATION The Newsletter of the American Pilots’ Association

March 15, 2011 Page 1

REGARDLESS OF COURSE OR groups and provides updates on issues from the APA per- SPEED, APA FINDS ITSELF IN spective. Finally, APA was on the “north coast” during A MEETING SITUATION! the annual Cleveland event know as the Great Lakes Wa-

The APA office routinely finds itself in “meeting terways Conference, a joint effort by federal and state situations” (and often in narrow channels), but this has governments and industry stakeholders to advance mutual nothing to do with Rule 14 or vessels “on reciprocal or maritime goals. The three APA-member groups op- nearly reciprocal courses.” Instead, it means that APA erating on the Great Lakes understandably play an impor- tant role in this conference. staff frequently participate in state, regional, national, and international meetings to advance the goals of the state APA also hosted a meeting of its officers in March. pilotage system and the interests of APA-member pilots. During this meeting, the Regional Vice Presidents, the It is vital that APA members have a voice during these President, the Secretary-Treasurer and the APA staff dis- meetings. As has been said, “If you’re not at the table, cussed national and international matters and APA busi- you’re on the menu!” ness, and also exchanged reports on regional issues.

This Winter and Spring calendar is illustrative of the Further, APA continues to be very active internation- types of meetings that APA—Captain Mike Watson ally. For instance, APA was in full force during the Feb- (President), Mr. Paul Kirchner (Executive Director- ruary STW42 meeting at IMO headquarters in London, General Counsel), and Mr. Clay Diamond (Deputy Direc- having representatives on both the U.S. and IMPA dele- tor)—generally attend throughout the year. Depending on gations. During this meeting, some delegations made the nature of the meeting, as well as other scheduled serious attempts to events, one or more staff members may attend. “I want to assure you that the advance agendas that APA will continue to do every- At the state level, in March, APA attended the could damage state thing it takes and will go wher- pilotage in the U.S. Spring meeting of the Texas State Pilots’ Association ever the interests of APA mem- (TSPA)) in Austin, Texas. This meeting of the seven bers are at stake to ensure that Specifically, some ar- state pilot groups in Texas was a forum for the groups to nothing is done to weaken the gued to reopen the share ideas and best practices, address important TSPA state pilot system in this country.” topic of international business, and to enjoy the company of fellow Lone Star - Captain Mike Watson harmonization of pilo- pilots. The meeting also allowed the APA to stay attuned APA President tage regulation, which with issues elsewhere in the Gulf, and permitted Captain 2010 Biennial Convention is inconsistent with the Watson to provide a report to the assembled pilots on re- basic premise that pi- cent APA activities and efforts. lotage is a uniquely local matter. Similarly, APA at- tended the March meeting of IALA’s eNavigation Com- APA has also attended, or will attend, important re- mittee. Attendance at these IALA events is critical in gional pilot meetings covering three other coasts— light of recent actions and decisions taken by IALA that Atlantic, Pacific, and Great Lakes. In February, a meet- seem well beyond IALA’s jurisdiction and expertise, in- ing of the APA’s North Atlantic States was held in Flor- cluding delving into pilotage matters. ida at which leaders of pilot groups in states from Maine to gave reports on their respective ports, dis- The APA leadership and staff will continue to cover cussed issues of mutual concern, and exchanged ideas in important meetings—both domestically and internation- order to facilitate improvements to state pilotage. A simi- ally—and will not miss the opportunity to represent the lar meeting of APA’s Pacific Coast States will be held in state piloting profession. In so doing, we may not be able Alaska during the month of April. At these regional to avoid “meeting situations” in narrow channels, but we meetings, APA listens to the concerns of local pilot will strive to keep pilots “off the menu.”

Page 2 ON STATION March 15, 2011 IMO REVALIDATES A.960(23); and to decreased navigational safety. STW42 concluded CONFIRMS IT FULLY ADDRESSES that the “navigating navigator” was the preferred model, FUTURE NEEDS & REQUIREMENTS adding “the navigators’ own skills would remain essential for the safe navigation of the ship.” APA President Captain Mike Watson These troubling issues, which were ultimately re- (leading the IMPA Delegation) and Deputy solved favorably, emphasize the importance of APA re- Director Clay Diamond (on the U.S. Delegation) attended maining fully engaged at IMO meetings and continuing to the 42nd meeting of IMO’s Subcommittee on Standards work with the USCG and U.S. delegations to the IMO. of Training and Watchkeeping (STW42), which was held from January 24-28 in London. IALA’S E-NAV COMMITTEE Two agenda items, both related to IMO’s “E-Nav MEETS IN COPENHAGEN Strategy”, were important to pilots and the piloting pro- fession. First, STW42 was asked to consider, in light of APA’s Executive Director-General developing navigation technologies, how best to ensure Counsel, Mr. Paul Kirchner, attended the 9th the competence of certain personnel, including pilots. meeting of IALA’s e-Nav Committee (e- The U.S. Delegation and APA agreed that IMO has Nav9) in Denmark from March 15-18. already fully addressed pilot training through Resolution While there were a number of issues on e-NAV9’s A.960(23) — Recommendations on Training and Certifi- agenda that are of vital importance to pilots, including the cation and On Operational Procedures for Maritime Pi- ongoing work on an “e-navigation strategy”, and matters lots, Other Than Deep Sea Pilots. The provisions of relating to ECDIS, VDRs, AIS, radar technology, and A.960 are sufficient to address future technological devel- VTS communications, there are broader interests at stake opments, including what may come out of IMO’s E-Nav that require APA to closely monitor IALA. initiative and there is no need for IMO to amend, supple- IALA’s original purpose was to provide guidance to ment, or interpret the resolution. A large majority of nations regarding lighthouses and aids-to-navigation. In delegations ultimately shared the APA/U.S. view. recent years, however, IALA has taken obvious steps to In the end, STW42 agreed, stating that in regard to expand its sphere of influence beyond its traditional remit pilot training, A.960 “addressed this issue adequately” and to involve itself more in matters taking place on and “no further action was deemed necessary.” ships’ bridges, including pilotage. Many observers, in- Secondly, STW42 was asked whether IMO’s train- cluding APA and IMPA, feel this expansion is not only ing model should change from the traditional “navigating beyond the authority of IALA, but also beyond the areas navigator” (i.e., a hands-on, fully engaged mariner on the of expertise of most IALA member country delegations.

bridge) to a so-called “monitoring navigator (i.e., a pas- sive individual on the ship whose primary focus is moni- IMPA PUBLISHES RESULTS OF toring electronic equipment). APA’s view on this ques- 2010 SAFETY CAMPAIGN tion, which came to be shared by most delegations, was The International Maritime Pilots’ that the “monitoring navigator” model should be rejected Association (IMPA) recently published as it would lead to fewer and less qualified mariners on the results of its 2010 “Safety Cam- ships, more shore-side involvement in ship operations, paign” survey. The survey was in response to a request to AMERICAN PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION IMPA by the IMO Safety of Navigation Subcommittee 499 South Capitol Street, S.W., Suite 409 for an indication of whether pilot boarding arrangements , D.C. 20003 were improving or declining. The purpose of the survey, (202) 484-0700 • Fax: (202) 484-9320 which took place in the Fall of 2010, was to provide a Captain Michael R. Watson ··············· President snapshot of the quality of boarding equipment and facili- Captain Whit Smith···························· Secretary-Treasurer Captain Gary Maddox ························ Vice President-South Atlantic States ties offered to pilots during embarkation and disembarka- Captain Eric A. Nielsen ····················· Vice President-North Atlantic States tion from vessels. Captain Michael C. Torjusen ············· Vice President-Gulf States The 2010 survey showed a 13.54% rate of defect in Captain Allen J. “AJ” Gibbs ·············· Vice President-Gulf States (Louisiana) Captain Peter McIsaac ······················· Vice President-Pacific Coast States pilot transfer arrangements. While this defect rate is still Captain Roger S. Paulus····················· Vice President-Great Lakes far too high, it does confirm a downward trend shown in Paul G. Kirchner ································ Executive Director-General Counsel previous safety surveys (22% in 2002 and 17% in 2007). Clayton L. Diamond··························· Deputy Director Lisa E. Powell ···································· Executive Assistant It is hoped that recently adopted changes to SOLAS regu- lations governing pilot transfer arrangements will facili- ON STATION is published by the American Pilots’ Association, a non-profit profes- sional association composed of groups of state-licensed pilots operating in each of the tate a further decline in defect rates. coastal states, as well as groups of U.S. registered pilots in the Great Lakes region. A copy of the full IMPA report is available at: Each pilot in APA-member groups receives ON STATION, the costs of which are paid from the member’s dues. Any comments, suggestions or questions concerning ON http://www.impahq.org/news_files/IMPA_final_lo.pdf STATION should be directed to the attention of the APA office at the above address.

Page 3 ON STATION March 15, 2011 GOP HOUSE TAKEOVER SEES ALASKA’S MARK BEGICH NEW LEADERS AND MEMBERS TAPPED TO CHAIR ON KEY SUBCOMMITTEE COAST GUARD SUBCOMMITTEE

As the republicans regain control Unlike in the House of Representa- of the House of Representatives for the tives, there wasn’t the first time since 2006, a familiar face drama of a new party tak- returns as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard ing over the majority in the Senate for the and Maritime Transportation (CG&MT) — Rep. Frank 112th Congress. However, there were LoBiondo (D-2nd/ NJ). Mr. LoBiondo, whose district some changes on an important subcommit- includes much of coastal , was tee. Alaska Senator Mark Begich, first chairman of the subcommittee until the elected in 2008, has been named Chairman democrats took control of the House in of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmos- 2006. LoBiondo is a proponent of mari- phere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard time transportation and understands the (OAF&CG), while Senator Olympia OAF&CG Chair, Mark Begich importance of state pilotage. Snowe of Maine remains the ranking mi- Rep. Rick Larsen (D-2nd/WA) is the nority member of this subcommittee. new Ranking Member of CG&MT. Lar- Like its House counterpart, CG&MT, OAF&CG is sen’s district also has a maritime flavor CG&MT Chair, of great interest to professional maritime pilots. This sub- and he too recognizes the Frank LoBiondo committee is responsible for overseeing the Coast Guard value of state pilotage to as the agency goes about its maritime safe, efficient, and environmentally safety, security, and environmental protec- friendly maritime transportation. tion missions. This includes overseeing CG&MT is important to APA and Senate efforts on the USCG Authorization the piloting profession since this body Act, which can impact state pilots. The oversees laws related to the Coast Guard, subcommittee is also responsible for legis- shipping and all aspects of maritime trans- lation and oversight of matters that impact portation. Any new federal legislation oceans and coasts, including oversight CG&MT Ranking with the potential to impact profes- of NOAA, coastal zone management, Member, Rick Larsen Olympia Snowe, sional mariners, including APA- OAF&CG Ranking marine mammals, weather and atmos- member pilots, would likely originate with CG&MT. In Member pheric activities, marine navigation, addition, this subcommittee is comprised of members and polar ocean policy. who represent port and coastal districts. All members of A list of OAF&CG members is provided below. CG&MT are shown below.

112th Congress - Senate Subcommittee on 112th Congress - House Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Democrats Republicans Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK),, Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd/NJ), Chairman Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Jeff Landry (R-3rd/LA), Vice Chairman Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) Don Young (R-At Large/AK) Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) Howard Coble (R-6th/NC) Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) Andy Harris (R-1st/MD) Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) Frank Guinta (R-1st/NH) Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Chip Cravaack (R-8th/MN) Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) Blake Farenthold (R-27th/TX) Republicans Democrats Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-2nd/WA), Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) Elijah Cummings (D-7th/MD) Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-NV) Corrine Brown (D-3rd/FL) Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) Tim Bishop (D-1st/NY) Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) Mazie Hirono (D-2nd/HI) Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) Michael Michaud (D-2nd/ME) Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)

Page 4 ON STATION March 15, 2011 APA OFFICERS HOLD WATSON JOINS CANADIAN PILOT GROUP FOR WINTER MEETING IN WASHINGTON 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The Corporation of Lower Saint Lawrence Pilots Captain Mike Watson, President of the American (CLSLP), a member of the Canadian Maritime Pilots’ Pilots’ Association, convened a meeting of the Associa- Association (CMPA) and one of the oldest pilots groups tion’s officers (Regional Vice Presidents and the Secre- in North , celebrated its 150th anniversary on tary-Treasurer) along with APA executive staff on February 19 in Quebec City. Captain Mike Watson was Wednesday, February 2 in Washington, DC. The purpose invited not only because of his position as President of of the meeting was to discuss national and international IMPA but also, because of the close relationship Ameri- matters, APA priorities and objectives, and to facilitate an can pilots enjoy with their Canadian counterparts, as APA exchange of reports by APA Vice Presidents on regional President. issues related to the piloting profession. The meeting was The event also served as an occasion to honor re- held in the board room of the APA’s home office in the cently retired Captain Michel Pouliot, long-time President Nation’s capital. of IMPA and the CMPA, and Honorary Life Member of

the American Pilots’ Association.

From left to right, Captain Simon Pelletier (CMPA President), Captain Mike Watson (IMPA/APA President), Captain Louis Michel Dussault (President of the CLSLP during the 1960s), and

Captain Daniel Ouimet (Current President of the CLSLP).

APA Officers, Back row, left to right: Captain Eric Neilsen (North

Atlantic VP), Captain Whit Smith (Secretary-Treasurer), Captain Mike Torjusen (Gulf VP), Captain Roger Paulus (Great Lakes 2012 IMPA CONGRESS TAKING VP), Captain A.J. Gibbs (Gulf-LA VP). Front row, left to right: SHAPE: TO BE HELD IN LONDON Captain Gary Maddox (South Atlantic VP / Senior VP), Captain Mike Watson (President), and Captain Pete McIsaac (Pacific VP). The 21st International Maritime Pilots’ Association Congress will be held in London from September 24-28, 2012. This Congress will be hosted by

the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA). APA member pilots are encouraged to attend this gathering of the world’s professional maritime pilots. For more on the IMPA Congress, please visit:

http://www.impa2012.com.

CANADIAN MARITIME PILOTS ASSOCIATION TO HOLD NEXT CONGRESS IN HALIFAX

Building on the success of the first two meetings of the CMPA Congress (Quebec City in 2005 and Vancou- ver in 2008), the 3rd meeting will be held in Halifax,

Nova Scotia from July 5-9, 2011. CMPA President, Cap-

Pictured above, Executive Officers meet on February 2 in the tain Simon Pelletier, has extended an invitation for all Washington, DC offices of the American Pilots’ Association. APA member pilots to attend this important meeting. For more information, go to http://cmpacongress2011.com.

Page 5 ON STATION March 15, 2011 USCG MAY MISS CONGRESSIONAL ADVISORY BOARD WARNS U.S. DEADLINE TO CONVENE NEW DANGEROUSLY DEPENDENT ON GPS MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE On the eve of a Congressionally- After hearing strong criticism from the mandated deadline of April 15 for the USCG maritime sector, including specific cri- to explain to oversight committees why a tiques by the APA, over the U.S. Coast Guard’s handing single, domestic system is not needed as a back-up for of merchant mariner physical examinations, Congres- GPS, a federal advisory committee of experts warns the sional oversight committees took some action to attempt U.S. is “critically dependent on GPS.” The National to improve the situation. Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advi- Specifically, in the 2010 Coast Guard Authorization sory Board, established by NASA, warned in a Winter Act (Pub. Law 111-281), which passed on October 15, 2010 report that GPS is becoming increasingly suscepti- 2010, Congress directed that the USCG establish the Mer- ble to both deliberate and inadvertent interference and chant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee or recommended that a GPS back-up, such as enhanced LO- “MMMAC”. According to the legislation, this new fed- RAN or “eLORAN” be put in place. eral advisory committee is intended to advise, consult However, the USCG does not support eLORAN and, with, report to, and make recommendations to the Coast after years of trying, was able to terminate the LORAN Guard on matters relating to the medical evaluation proc- signal altogether on October 1, 2010. Critics of the ess and physical examinations of merchant mariners. USCG’s decision to terminate the LORAN-C system, The legislation directed the USCG to convene the including APA, argued that LORAN-C is still valuable to first meeting of the MMMAC by April 15, 2011. The the maritime community as the foundation for eLORAN. APA has learned from USCG sources, however, that there The USCG has publicly stated that it does not share the is a significant possibility that the agency will not meet view that LORAN-C should be upgraded to serve as a this Congressionally mandated deadline. Further, even GPS backup or even that a GPS backup is needed. when the MMMAC does convene, APA has concerns over its structure. Of the 14 Committee members, only ANNUAL GREAT LAKES four are permitted to be mariners, with the remaining ten WATERWAYS CONFERENCE committee members being “health-care professionals.” MEETS IN CLEVELAND

APA will watch the MMMAC closely and will par- The inaugural meeting of the “Great Lakes Water- ticipate fully as it goes about developing recommenda- ways Conference” (formerly the USCG’s Marine Com- tions on the USCG’s physical examination program. munity Days) was held in Cleveland on February 16-17. This event, a joint effort between the USCG, the Army UPDATES AND Corps of Engineers, the U.S. States and Canadian Prov- ANNOUNCEMENTS inces that border the Great Lakes, and various maritime FROM THE NMC transportation interests, is intended to allow high-level

discussion between government and the private sector on Great Lakes marine transportation matters. Procedures for authorizing third parties, such as The Presidents of each Great Lakes pilotage district spouses or business managers, to handle details of mari- (Captain Roger Paulus—District 1 and also APA Vice ner credential applications, are now available at: President for the Great Lakes; Captain Danny Galla- www.uscg.mil/nmc/announcements/ gher—District 2; and Captain Don Willecke—District 3), merchant_mariner_third_party_authorization.pdf were a prominent part of the meeting. Deputy Director, The NMC updated its Top 5 Medical Conditions that Clay Diamond, also attended the meeting for APA. “can delay your application for credentials or cause the

application to be denied.” According to the NMC,

these top five reasons are:

1. Cardiac Disease 2. Diabetes DON’T FORGET THE APA PAC FUND

3. Psychiatric Disorders Send your voluntary contribution to: 4. Sleep Apnea APA Political Action Committee 5. Chronic Use of Narcotics/Benzodiazepines 499 South Capitol St., SW Washington, DC 20003 For more on the NMC’s “Top 5”, see: www.uscg.mil/nmc/mdedical_top_5.asp.

Page 6 ON STATION March 15, 2011 WATSON ARTICLE IN USCG MAGAZINE APA APA President, Captain NEWS & INFO Mike Watson, has an article

in the upcoming edition of Proceedings Magazine, a

quarterly publication of the USCG’s Marine Safety and MARYLAND PILOTS RECEIVE Security Council. The title of the article is “The Role of USCG CERTIFICATES OF MERIT the Pilot.”

On January 21, 2011, a The article highlights the historical, legal and policy pilot and an apprentice pilot guidance governing how a pilot carries out his or her du- with the Association of ties, including reference to the APA’s official statement Maryland Pilots received on the role and responsibility of pilots, and stresses how Certificates of Merit from the important it is to the overall navigational safety of a ves- USCG for their assistance in sel that the master, bridge crew, and other vessel interests rescuing two mariners in dis- have an understanding of, and respect for, the role and tress on the Chesapeake Bay. responsibilities of the pilot.

Captain Randall Bour- The article is scheduled for publication in April and geois and Captain Adam Lu- will be available at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings. cas (apprentice pilot) were honored by USCG Sector Captain Randy Bourgeois (left) Baltimore for their vital role and Captain Adam Lucas hold in locating the vessel in dis- their “Certificates of Merit” ELECTIONS, SELECTIONS, tress and vectoring the USCG awarded by the USCG. APPOINTMENTS, ETC. rescue unit to the foundering The Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association announced that the vessel. Both men’s citation read, “your direct involve- 2011-2013 slate of officers are Captain Robert T. Baker ment in this incident helped ensure the safe return of two (President), Captain Frederick A. Lundy (Vice President), persons and their vessel back to port.” Captain Walter W. Gautier (Secretary/Treasurer), and Cap- tain Robert T. Baker (APA State Trustee). APA-AUTHORED ARTICLE New officers for the Harbor Pilots are Captain Mar- PUBLISHED IN PRESTIGIOUS tin McCabe (President), Captain Richard Stover (Vice Presi- MARITIME LAW JOURNAL dent), Captain Frank Morton (Secretary), Captain Robert McCabe (Treasurer), Captain Mike Peddle (Executive Com- APA’s Executive Director-General Counsel, Paul mittee), Captain Dirk Coffman (Executive Committee), and Kirchner, and Deputy Director, Clay Diamond, have co- Captain Frank Morton (Executive Committee). authored an article on the history, development, and cur- The New Jersey- Pilots recently announced its rent state of the regulation of pilotage in America. The election results for 2011. Officers are as follows: Captain article, Unique Institutions, Indispensable Cogs, and A.W. McGovern (President), Captain R.J. Schoenlank (Vice President), Captain J.C. Oldmixon (Secretary) and Captain J. Hoary Figures: Understanding Pilotage Regulation in the Britton (Treasurer & Finance Chairman). United States, was published in Volume 23 of the Univer- The 2011 election results for the -Sandy Hook sity of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal. The article Pilots are: Captain H.W. Mahlmann (President), Captain is available at www.americanpilots.org on the front page D.M. Wheeler (Vice President), Captain W.S. Winter under “links to items of interest.” (Secretary) and Captain D.M. Fendt (Treasurer & Finance Chairman). BISCAYNE BAY PILOTS Captain William E. Lowe III (Pilots’ Association for the CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL Bay and River Delaware) was recently elected as Chairman of the Delaware River Bay Authority (DRBA). Among other re- The Biscayne Bay Pilots Associa- sponsibilities, the DRBA operates the Delaware Memorial tion is celebrating the 100th anniversary Bridge, ferry services, and regional airports. of its founding. To commemorate the Captain Whit Smith was reelected President of the Charles- ton Pilots for the 29th time. Captain Chris Thornton was occasion, the association has published a reelected as APA Trustee. history book, authored by Captain Andrew D. Melick, The Portland Pilots have reelected Captain Susan Clark as chronicling their role in the events that led to the estab- the group’s President. lishment of Miami as a port town at the turn of the 20th Captain Robert Heitmeier (NOBRA Pilots) was recently century and the evolution of the city, its seaport, and the appointed chairman of the Board of Examiners of the New Or- pilots’ association ever since. The book is titled, A Cen- leans/Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots for the Mississippi River. tury of Service: A History of the Biscayne Bay Pilots.