The Newsletter of the American Pilots’ Association

September 10, 2018 Page 1

APA AND PILOTS PHOTOS OF CHAIRMAN SUMWALT’S VISIT CONTINUE OUTREACH TO NTSB WITH THE VIRGINIA PILOTS

1. Chairman Sumwalt and Captain Jay Saunders (Virginia Asso- On July 31st and August 1st, the Virginia Pilot ciation) board the M/V ZIM LUANDA. 2. Captain Whiting Chisman, Association (VPA) hosted National Transportation Virginia Pilot Association Vice President (right), discusses pilotage Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman, the Honorable Rob- with Chairman Sumwalt. 3. Captain Saunders gives Chairman Sumwalt an overview of the pilotage assignment. 4. From left to ert L. Sumwalt, along with Mr. Michael Hughes (a right: Captain Jorge Viso (APA President), Chairman Sumwalt, and senior NTSB communications official) at their Vir- Michael Hughes (NTSB). 5. Captain Bill Cofer, Virginia Pilot Asso- ginia Beach offices. APA President, Captain Jorge ciation President (center), briefs Chairman Sumwalt on the Virginia Viso, also participated in this meeting. pilotage area, as Captain Viso observes. In addition to receiving briefings and a tour of 1 2 the VPA facilities, Chairman Sumwalt also observed a pilotage assignment firsthand. Chairman Sumwalt was first appointed to the NTSB in 2006 and has since been reappointed twice. He was sworn in as the 14th Chairman of the NTSB in August 2017. He previously served as Vice Chairman of the NTSB. Captain Bill Cofer, VPA President, began the Chairman’s visit by giving him an overview of the Virginia Pilots’ operation, as well as a comprehen- sive briefing on Virginia’s pilotage waters. Captain Cofer, Captain Whiting Chisman (VPA Vice Presi- 4 dent), and Captain Viso then gave a presentation on ultra large container vessels (ULCVs) and the chal- lenges associated with piloting these vessels. 3 Sumwalt was then transported to the inbound container ship ZIM LUANDA aboard a VPA . The ship was piloted by Captain Jay Saunders. Captain Chisman was also aboard to provide infor- mation on the transit and to answer any questions. After the Chairman’s visit, Mr. Hughes sent a message to both Captain Cofer and Captain Viso: “The work you professionals do is critical to the 5 management of safety at our Nation's ports. This week's experience certainly impressed on the Chair- man and me the level of expertise involved in train- ing for and working as a marine pilot.” The APA will build on this visit by hosting Chairman Sumwalt at the APA offices on September 19th. Chairman Sumwalt will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming APA Convention in Savannah.

Page 2 ON STATION September 10, 2018 IMO SUBCOMMITTEE During this four-year process, MSC Circular AGREES ON REVISED 1014 has been thoroughly reviewed and updated, FATIGUE GUIDELINES taking into account the latest research and studies.

The newly revised Guidelines provide information The IMO’s Sub-Committee on the causes and consequences of fatigue, as well as on Human Element, Training and the risks it poses to the safety and health of seafarers Watchkeeping met at IMO Head- and operational safety. quarters for its 5th session The updated Circular includes various (HTW5) from July 16-20. The principle task of “modules” aimed at providing specific guidance and HTW5 was to complete its review and revision of information to countries’ maritime authorities, sea- IMO’s voluntary Guidance on Fatigue Mitigation farers, shipping companies, naval architects/ship de- and Management (MSC Circular 1014). signers and training providers. According to an IMO Clay Diamond, APA Deputy Director-Associate press release, “The aim of these updated Guidelines General Counsel, served on the U.S. Delegation, as is to assist all stakeholders to contribute to the effec- did Captain Andrew McGovern, Sandy tive mitigation and management of fatigue.” Hook Pilots and former Chairman of the Merchant The revised MSC Circular 1014 will not go into Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). effect until it is approved by the IMO’s Maritime Captain Simon Pelletier, President of the Internation- Safety Committee during its 100th Session, which al Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA) and the Ca- will be held in December 2018. nadian Marine Pilots’ Association (CMPA) also at- tended this meeting. IMO has considered the issue of seafarer fatigue RTCM eNAVIGATION for several decades, adopting Assembly Resolution STEERING COMMITTEE A.772(18) on Fatigue factors in manning and safety, MEETS IN in 1993. This resolution was followed by the devel- On June 12, the Radio opment of comprehensive guidance on fatigue miti- Technical Commission for Mar- gation and management (MSC/Circ.1014), which itime Services (RTCM) held a was issued in 2001. The IMO’s Maritime Safety meeting of its e-Navigation Committee (MSC) agreed in 2014 that the Guidance Steering Committee. Chaired in MSC/Circ. 1014 should be reviewed and updated by APA Navigation Technology Director, Bill by the HTW subcommittee. Cairns, the steering committee considers the work of Given the importance of fatigue and fatigue mit- RTCM’s relevant Special Committees as it relates to igation, as well as the impact these voluntary IMO the broader international e-Navigation effort. guidelines can have on all maritime operations, in- These Special Committees craft standards on cluding pilotage, APA and IMPA have been deeply Electronic Charting Systems, radar, AIS, eLoran, involved in the nearly four-year review of the IMO Portrayal of Navigation Information, Multi-system fatigue Guidelines. Shipborne Navigation Receivers, and Data Exchange for Nav-Related Apps for Mobile Devices. American Pilots’ Association 499 South Capitol Street, S.W., Suite 409 At this meeting, the Steering Committee noted a Washington, D.C. 20003 wide swath of ongoing international efforts, notably (202) 484-0700 • Fax: (202) 484-9320 IMO’s work on S-Mode and Maritime Autonomous Captain Jorge J. Viso ·················· President Surface Ships. The committee considered other Captain Whit Smith ··················· Secretary-Treasurer Captain Eric A. Nielsen ··············· Sr. Vice President-North Atlantic States technical developments at IALA and IHO, as well as Captain W. Crayton Walters III ····· Vice President-South Atlantic States the Coast Guard’s and other government agencies’ Captain Michael C. Torjusen ········ Vice President-Gulf States Captain Brett A. Palmer ·············· Vice President-Gulf States (Louisiana) focus on cybersecurity. Captain Peter McIsaac ················ Vice President-Pacific Coast States The RTCM Annual Assembly, which will be Captain Danny H. Gallagher ········· Vice President-Great Lakes Paul G. Kirchner ······················· Executive Director-General Counsel held from September 25-27 in Florida, features Clayton L. Diamond ··················· Deputy Director-Assoc. General Counsel presentations by relevant government agencies and William R. Cairns ····················· Navigation Technology Director Lisa Powell Townshend ·············· Operations Director on many of the shipboard systems pilots use every

ON STATION is published by the American Pilots’ Association, a non-profit day. This year the Assembly is being held in con- professional association composed of groups of state-licensed pilots operating junction with the National Marine Electronics Asso- in each of the coastal states, as well as groups of U.S. registered pilots in the ciation (NMEA). For information on the combined Great Lakes region. Each pilot in APA-member groups receives ON STA- RTCM / NMEA meeting, visit: TION, the costs of which are paid from the member’s dues. Any comments, suggestions or questions concerning ON STATION should be directed to the www.expo.nmea.org. attention of the APA office at the above address.

Page 3 ON STATION September 10, 2018 LAW DELAYS ELECTRONIC TWIC INSPECTIONS Captain

On August 2nd, the President Robert Louis signed the Transportation Worker 1953 - 2018 Identification Credential (TWIC) Accountability Act of 2018 (H.R. Captain Robert Louis 5729). The law prohibits the Coast Adams, Aransas-Corpus Guard from requiring electronic inspections of Christi Pilots, was killed TWICs until 60 days after the Department of Home- in the in the line of duty land Security submits a study to Congress on the on June 16, 2018. Cap- overall security value of the TWIC program. tain Adams was board- This study is expected to be completed in April ing a moored vessel by 2019, which means the Coast Guard will be unable gangway, when the to enforce the TWIC Reader Rule at any facility until gangway collapsed. This June 2019 timeframe—at the earliest. tragic accident is currently under investigation by The Coast Guard issued a bulletin on the TWIC the U.S. Coast Guard. reader program, including information on H.R. 5729, The program from Captain Adams’ memori- the TWIC reader final rule, and ongoing litigation on al service included the following passage: this final rule. This bulletin is available at: “Captain Louis Adams was the consum- http://mariners.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2018/08/03/8-3- mate professional, liked and respected by 2018-latest-developments-regarding-twic-reader-final- rule/ all that knew him and worked with him. Growing up in LaPorte, Texas and coming PROVISION BENEFITING from a maritime family, Louis was a sec- YACHT OWNERS BURIED IN ond generation mariner and Texas State DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION Pilot totaling over 45 years of service to On August 13th the National the marine industry making him a unique Defense Authorization Act of 2019 individual. Louis took special pride in the (NDAA) was signed into law. fact that he started his sea going career as While the NDAA sets spending and an ordinary seaman and worked his way up policy priorities for the Department of Defense, it the hawsepipe to sail as a Master Mariner. also includes a provision to aid super yacht owners. Captain Adams valued the essence of com- The owners of the majority of these large yachts mand; taking care of his crew first, the ves- in the U.S. opt, principally for economic reasons, to sels he commanded and piloted, and the flag these vessels in a foreign country. A section of cargo for which he was responsible. the NDAA directs the Coast Guard to essentially ex- One of the proudest moments of his dis- empt these yachts from current U.S. commercial in- tinguished career was when he was ap- spection, manning and construction standards by is- pointed as a Deputy Branch Pilot for the suing new regulations for recreational vessels over Port of Corpus Christi. One of his proudest 300 gross tons that do not carry any cargo/passengers achievements was serving two terms as for hire. These regulations are to be “comparable” to Presiding Officers of the Aransas-Corpus United Kingdom’s Large Commercial Yacht Code Christi Pilot Association. As Presiding Of- (LCYC). The LCYC standards are considerably ficer, he offered a steady hand at the helm, lower than U.S. commercial standards. This NDAA valued leadership and sage advice. Now section concludes by stating that until the effective that he has crossed the final bar, he will be date of these new regulations, large yachts shall not sorely missed by all who were fortunate be subject to inspection so long as the Coast Guard enough to have known him.” determines that the vessel complies with the LCYC. Captain Adams is survived by his wife of 45 It is somewhat unusual for a U.S. law to make years, Karen Elaine Womack Adams, son Robert such direct reference to another country’s laws or Andrew Adams and wife Amanda, daughter Lisa regulations. While there is nothing in the LCYC or Adams Spivey and husband Gregory, his four this provision of the NDAA that directs the Coast grandchildren, and his sister Deborah Adams Guard to make any changes to pilotage requirements Winegar. or standards, the APA will closely watch the Coast Guard rulemaking in this area.

Page 4 ON STATION September 10, 2018 NOAA LOWERS ATLANTIC ers, nowadays, GPS, NOAA’s nautical charts, light- HURRICANE FORECAST ed navigational aids, buoys, radar beacons, and other

Forecasters for the National aids to navigation effectively warn mariners of dan- Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- gerous areas and guide them to safe harbors. Some istration (NOAA) have lowered 48,000 federal buoys, beacons, and electronic aids of predictions for Atlantic hurricane the marine transportation system mark more than season. According to these forecasters, condi- 25,000 miles of waterways, harbor channels, and in- tions in the ocean and the atmosphere are con- land, intracoastal and coastal waterways.” spiring to produce a less Atlantic hurricane While the points made in NOAA’s press release season than initially predicted in May, though commemorating the anniversary of the Lighthouse NOAA and Federal Emergency Management Act are accurate, most APA-member pilots also Agency (FEMA) are raising caution as the season know that the Lighthouse Act of 1789, which was enters its peak months. the ninth law passed by the First Congress of the “There are still more storms to come – the United States, essentially established what we now hurricane season is far from being over. We urge know as the State Pilot System in this country. continued preparedness and vigilance,” said Ger- In passing the Lighthouse Act, Congress decided ry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster that it was in the national interest to make lighthous- at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. es, buoys and beacons the responsibility of the new NOAA’s seasonal forecasters have increased federal government, but fortunately it reached the the likelihood of a “below-normal” Atlantic hur- opposite conclusion for pilotage. ricane season to 60% (up from 25% in May) in Section four of the Act reads in part, “all pilots the updated outlook, issued in mid-August. For in the bays, inlets, rivers, harbors, and ports of the the entire season, which ends November 30th, United States shall continue to be regulated in con- NOAA predicts a total of 9-13 named storms formity with the existing laws of the States, respec- (winds of 39 mph or greater) of which 4-7 will tively, wherein such pilots may be, or with such laws become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), as the States may respectively hereafter enact for the purpose, until further legislative provision shall be including 0-2 major hurricanes (winds of 111 ” mph or greater). made by Congress.

[From the Editor: As this edition of ON STATION NTSB GETS NEW goes to print, we recognize the irony of including this VICE CHAIRMAN article at the same time Hurricane , fore- casted to become a major Category 4 storm, is mov- Bruce Landsberg has been ap- ing inexorably toward the Southeast U.S. coast] pointed Vice Chairman of the Na-

NOAA HONORS ANNIVERSARY OF tional Transportation Safety Board LIGHTHOUSE ACT OF 1789 (NTSB). Landsberg, who joined the board in late August, is past president of the Aircraft On August 7th, NOAA issued a notice Owners & Pilots Association Air Safety Institute and commemorating the 229th anniversary of the passage has held executive positions with several national of the Lighthouse Act of 1789. NOAA celebrated aviation companies. the passage this Act, officially called “An Act for "Vice Chairman the Establishment and Support of Lighthouses, Landsberg's expertise Beacons, Buoys and Public Piers,” because it led to and long-standing com- the States turning over all lighthouses, beacons, mitment to safety will buoys, and public piers to the federal government be invaluable assets," and tasked the Secretary of the Treasury with said NTSB Chairman building and maintaining the aids to maritime Robert Sumwalt in a navigation. NOAA’s press release noted that August press release. 7th is now known as National Lighthouse Day. Mr. Landsberg's Chairman Robert Sumwalt The NOAA release went on to read, appointment as Vice (left) swears in new Vice Chairman, Bruce Landsberg “Lighthouses and beacons…can be found on rocky Chairman is for a two- cliffs or sandy shoals on land, on wave-swept reefs year term. His term as an NTSB member is for five in the sea, and at entrances to harbors. They serve to years. warn mariners of dangerous shallows and perilous A fifth member, Jennifer Homendy, has been rocky coasts, and they help guide vessels safely into confirmed by the Senate and is scheduled to join the and out of ports. While lighthouses still guide seafar- board soon, NTSB officials said.

Page 5 ON STATION September 10, 2018 USCG ISSUES ALERT ON APA HOSTS COAST GUARD DIRECTOR OF GANGWAY SAFETY MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

On August 21st, in the aftermath On August 7, APA hosted Mr. Mike Emerson, of the tragic death of Captain Louis head of the Coast Guard’s Marine Transportation Adams (Aransas-Corpus Christi Pi- Systems Directorate, and his Deputy, Captain Kevin lots), the Coast Guard issued a Ma- Kiefer, at our Washington, DC offices. rine Safety Alert (MSA 14-18), titled, “Don’t forget Mr. Emerson’s Directorate overseas many of the about Gangways and Ladders! Pilot dies in gangway USCG programs accident.” While the APA immediately sent MSA and policies that 14-18 to all member pilot groups, we thought it im- have the greatest portant enough to reprint it in this edition of ON impact on APA- STATION. member pilots.

Recently, a vessel pilot died while boarding a ves- For example, sel when its gangway separated from the vessel, caus- Emerson is re- ing two persons to fall into the water. Although the sponsible for investigation is still underway and additional facts are Electronic & being gathered, this casualty serves as another remind- Visual Aids to er that shipboard equipment that seems quite benign Navigation, can quickly become a hazard to persons boarding and Ocean & Trans- From left to right: Clay Diamond (APA), departing a vessel. portation Policy, Mike Emerson (USCG), Captain Jorge

Navigation Viso (APA), Captain Kevin Kiefer Commercial vessels can present hazards to mari- (USCG), and Paul Kirchner (APA) ners onboard if the risks are not recognized and miti- Standards, Wa- gated. Considering the hazards presented by rotating terways Management (including VTS), Great Lakes machinery, electrical systems, potential fire, severe Pilotage, and Icebreaking. weather, etc.; one could easily underappreciate the risk During this meeting, which was attended by that a simple gangway presents, leading mariners to Captain Jorge Viso (APA President), Paul Kirchner become complacent. Because of injuries and fatalities (APA Executive Director-General Counsel), and on gangways, a number of organizations have devel- oped gangway safety standards, requirements, and best Clay Diamond (Deputy Director-Associate General practices. Counsel), a number of topics were covered, includ- ing “virtual aids to navigation” in post-storm port The Occupational Safety and Health Administra- opening, Coast Guard VTS policy, current concerns tion (OSHA), International Maritime Organization,

Protection and Indemnity Clubs, Owners and Opera- with AIS, and Great Lakes Pilotage. tors, and others have put forth various requirements and shared best practices to improve gangway safety. CAPTAIN VISO VISITS NMC

Because of this recent fatality, the Coast Guard On June 27, APA President, Cap- strongly recommends: tain Jorge Viso, visited the National Maritime Center (NMC). In addition 1) Owners and Operators, Captains and Mates review and to meeting with the NMC’s Com- implement the best practices as presented in the links manding Officer, Captain Kirsten above and comply with all the regulations applicable to Martin (pictured at right with Viso), your vessel. Captain Viso received comprehen- 2) For vessel pilots, crews, vendors, or anyone boarding or sive briefings on all of the NMC departing a vessel, condition yourself to take a moment to functions and programs, as well as a examine the gangway, accommodation or pilot ladder. tour of the facilities. Look for potential hazards or deficiencies, and report them to senior personnel on board the vessel.

At all times, if there is any question about the safe-

ty of a gangway, DO NOT CROSS IT. Do not assume

that any gangway crossing is “routine.” DON’T FORGET THE APA PAC FUND

This Safety Alert is provided for information pur- Send your voluntary contribution to: poses only and does not relieve any domestic or inter- APA Political Action Committee national safety, operational, or material requirement. 499 South Capitol St., SW—Suite 409 Developed by the Prevention Officers of Sector Cor- Washington, DC 20003-4023 pus Christi. Distributed by the Office of Investigations and Analysis. Questions may be sent to HQS-PF-fldr- [email protected].

Page 6 ON STATION September 10, 2018 JAY RIVERA EARNS USCG MERITORIOUS APA NEWS PUBLIC SERVICE

AWARD

Captain Jay Rivera, imme- GREAT LAKES PILOT diate past Presiding Officer of PLAYS KEY ROLE IN THE RESCUE OF the Aransas-Corpus Christi STRANDED KAYAKERS Pilots, was recently awarded On July 5th, Captain Rory Grant (Western Great the Coast Guard Meritorious Lakes Pilots) was piloting a cruise ship in Lake Public Service Award for “his Michigan when he noticed plumes of smoke rising service to the maritime trans- from a nearby island. On closer inspection, Captain Captain Jay Rivera, portation system and port Grant saw three people waving their arms. It turns former Presiding Of- safety.” out that the three were stranded on the island because ficer of the Aransas- The Award citation refer- their kayaks were lost in the foul weather conditions Corpus Christi Pilots enced the invaluable role of 40 knot winds and 5-7 foot seas. Captain Rivera played fol- Captain Grant immediately called the position lowing Hurricane Harvey, “an unprecedented catego- into the Coast Guard and sounded the ship’s whistle ry four hurricane with 135 MPH winds and storm to let the stranded kayakers know they had been surge up to 18 feet.” spotted. A Coast Guard helicopter soon rescued the The Meritorious Public Service Award is among three and transported them safely to a local hospital. the highest honors the Coast Guard can bestow on a Local press reports credited the dramatic rescue civilian.

to “a pilot with a keen eye.” RIVER BAR CRESCENT RIVER AND ASSOCIATED PILOTS PRESENT BRANCH PILOTS HELP NEW ORLEANS SCHOLARSHIP CELEBRATE TRICENTENNIAL In mid-June, Captain Historical tall ships and na- Dan Jordan, Co-Manager of vy ships from around the world the Columbia River Bar Pi- helped New Orleans celebrate lots (CRBP), presented Ca- its 300th Anniversary this sum- det Wyatt Vele with a four- mer. Pilots from both the Cres- year scholarship to Texas cent River Port Pilots and the A&M Maritime Academy Associated Branch Pilots hosted while the two were aboard Captain Dan Jordan events on the SS ELSA, a 135 the Tanker PELICAN (Columbia River Bar Pi- year old three-masted, iron- STATE. lots), presents a scholar- hulled ship built in Scotland. Prior to earning this ship check to Cadet Vele A number of historical tall scholarship, Cadet Vele had SS ELSA ships, which averaged 5-6 knots worked as a deckhand on the CRBP pilot boats. and 16 hours to transit part of the Mississippi River, took part in the celebration. ELECTIONS, SELECTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, ETC.

DON’T FORGET The following pilots’ associations announced new officers:

THE APA BIENNIAL  Northeast Marine Pilots: Captain Sean P. Bogus (President), Captain Richard Astles (Vice President), Captain Clinton Walker (Secretary), Captain E. Howard CONVENTION McVay (Co-Treasurer) and Captain Vincent Kirby (Co- Treasurer). IN SAVANNAH  Aransas-Corpus Christi Pilots: Captain Kevin Monaco (President) and Captain John Williams (Vice President). October 1st - 5th