Issue 6, Autumn 2007 Page 4 Issue 6, Autumn 2007 Atlantic Pilotage Authority THE DISPATCH MILESTONES IN 2007 NEW PILOT BOATS ENTER INTO SERVICE WITHIN TWO MAJOR COMPULSORY DISTRICTS On August 23rd, the APA hosted a 35th Anniversary reception in Saint John, New Brunswick, with guests including past and present pilots, port cus- tomers, stakeholders and local dignitaries. During the ceremony, the Authority presented the Saint John Pilots with a framed photograph of their pilot boat, the “Fundy Pilot”. Earlier in the summer, the Halifax Mission to Seafarers, chaired by Halifax Pilot and Vice President of the Cana- From Alex MacAulay dian Marine Pilots’ Association, Captain Andrew Rae, recognized the Authority for its financial support and dedicated volunteer service throughout its history as an Authority. In September, on a magnificent Indian summer's day, the Authority also hosted its 35th Anniversary Golf Tourna- ment at Sherwood Golf Club, on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Also, at the 2007 Halifax Port Days, the Halifax Port Authority recognized the APA's anniversary, along with In late June, the Authority’s other stakeholders who celebrated similar milestones. These included the International Longshoreman Association (100 years), Atlantic Container Line (40 years), Zim Integrated Shipping Services (35 years), Intercontinental Forwarding (15 new pilot boat, “Avalon Pilot” com- The following two weeks saw the It is anticipated that she will become menced pilotage service immediately the primary pilot vessel for that area, years) and Oceanex (10 years). “Atlantic Pilot” demonstrating her upon her arrival in Placentia Bay, New- capabilities in Halifax and Saint with the “Strait Falcon” acting as the Last, but certainly not least, the Authority was again honoured to be recognized by the Port of Saint John, whose foundland. She continued to work until John, following which she joined her secondary vessel. President and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Alwyn Soppitt, presented the Authority with a framed photograph of the early October when, because of engine sister vessel, the “Avalon Pilot”, to Queen Mary 2, against a backdrop of the Saint John waterfront. malfunction and an engine manufac- begin her operational duties in Pla- With two major compulsory areas now turer’s strike in Newfoundland, she centia Bay, Newfoundland. equipped with fast, modern pilot boats, NEW ARRIVALS returned to her original place of con- the Authority hopes to move ahead with struction, Meteghan, Nova Scotia, for Within the Strait of Canso, the its strategic direction of providing addi- We welcome Jeremy McPher- We welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Stewart, repairs. In late October, she returned to “Strait Eagle” (the former tional pilot vessels for ports such as son, our new Deckhand in Saint our new Human Resources Administra- operational duty in Placentia Bay . “Placentia Pilot”) awaits final in- Saint John, New Brunswick, and Hali- John, New Brunswick. Jeremy tor. Liz replaces Tina Panopalis, who spection by APA management and fax, Nova Scotia. enjoys playing poker, lobster began her maternity leave in early Oc- On November 15th, the Authority’s local pilots. Over the past twelve fishing, diving, scallop fishing tober (as of printing, the newest mem- newest pilot boat, the “Atlantic Pilot”, months, she has been completely and four wheeling. Welcome ber of the Panopalis family had not was christened at the St. Mary’s Boat stripped of much of her interior fit- aboard, Jeremy! made his/her appearance yet, but we Club on the North West Arm of Hali- tings (engines, wiring, bulkheads will keep you posted!). Liz hails from fax. etc.) and rebuilt. The pilot boat con- the Toronto area and moved here with tractor, Captain Les MacIntyre, ac- her husband, Craig, in April of this The ceremonial breaking of the bottle companied by a skilled team of tech- year. Liz is learning to golf and curl was conducted by Mrs. Debbie Aldrich, nicians, worked diligently to trans- and is enjoying living in the Halifax wife of Brad Aldrich, interim President form a badly damaged vessel into the area. Welcome aboard, Liz! and Refinery Manager at the North At- fast, sleek, modern and highly ma- Picture of Strait Eagle Send us your news for inclusion in the next issue of The Dispatch. lantic Come By Chance Oil Refinery, in neuverable pilot vessel that she was Placentia Bay. The vessel was blessed originally designed to be in 2000. by Reverend Don Lawton, chaplain to Deadline for submission is March 31st, 2008. We also welcome your feedback. Please email the editor, Elaine Lockhart, at the Mission to Seafarers in Halifax. [email protected] Graphic Designer: Nalani Perry Page 2 Issue 6, Autumn 2007 Issue 6, Autumn 2007 Page 3 CATEGORICALLY A PILOT CATEGORICALLY A PILOT (CONT’D) He adds that becoming familiar with the new berth and Captain Bruce Harrigan has always had his on “The Cat” required TRAINING IN 2007 tides, in relation to sizes of the ships in close quarter sights set on piloting. Growing up in the port city of him to take special train- situations, will be demanding. To ease the transition, The APA has had another successful year of training with a Saint John, the activity on the waterfront baited him to ing in Australia, a coun- the APA has put the pilots through simulator training, variety of courses utilized. Some of the highlights are indi- the industry, and watching the pilots, sealed the deal. try which Captain Harri- and they’ll be carrying a Portable Piloting System with cated below: gan enjoyed exploring. them on the job. “When I was a kid starting out, I looked at the pilots and Emergency Shiphandling—Port Revel Shiphandling they were the top guys in their field,” he says. “You Not to mention that, at Captain Harrigan is up for the challenge, considering Training Centre, France know, they were all accomplished masters and they came the time, Captain Harri- it’s the reason he enjoys his job so much. Seven pilots attended the Emergency Shiphandling course in back to work at their homeport.” gan and his crew on “The Lyon, France. This course is Cat” set a record for “Each ship is challenging because they are all different. focused on emergencies, in- With this in mind, Captain Harrigan joined the Author- crossing the Pacific. And that’s what makes it interesting.” cluding training on tugs and ity’s ranks right out of high school, in 1978, as a deck- use of anchors in waves and in hand on the pilot boat in Saint John. He held the job for “We left Bar Harbor, Maine, and we were tied Written by Holly Gordon, daughter of Nancy Gordon currents. Feedback from the four years before going to school and getting his Watch pilots has been very positive. Keeping Mate license. Despite still being attracted to a up in Hobart, Tasmania, in about 18 days and so OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY The course positively demon- pilot job, Captain Harrigan followed a roundabout, albeit strates the Authority’s dedica- interesting, path before returning to the APA in Novem- many hours,” remembers This year marks another big step for the OHS tion to new and exciting training opportunities. ber 2002. Captain Harrigan. Committee. After four years of compiling the OHS System Manual, it was rolled-out during the month of Z Drive Simulator Exercise, Holland College Marine After getting his license, Captain Harrigan worked for Despite being new and exciting, the life of a high-speed ferry October. John Griffin, Training Coordinator, con- Training Centre, PEI Irving Oil and the tankers for about a year, then began captain was not a long-term draw for Captain Harrigan. The ducted pilot training in Canso, NS, and St. John’s, NL. Ten pilots attended the Z Drive Tug Seminar taught by indus- work with the Grand Manan ferry service for the same APA still had its hooks in him and in 2002, they reeled him Saint John, NB, will be done in the new year. Addi- try recognized expert, Captain Gregory Brooks at the Marine amount of time. This led him to work on the “Princess of back as a pilot in Saint John. He remains in the port city to- tional training in the new year will include the office, Training Centre in Summerside, PEI. Pilots from Halifax, Acadia”, under Marine Atlantic, and he continued on day. dispatch as well as any others who have missed training Canso, Saint John and St. John’s attended the sessions, which with the new owners – Bay Ferries. And that’s when in their local area. were well received. Captain Harrigan met “The Cat”. “It’s the challenge to get aboard that ship and for the master to turn his ship over to you and you take it in and safely put it At the September OHS meeting, Captain Pat- Manned Model Shiphandling—Warsash Maritime Bay Ferries introduced the high-speed catamaran ferry alongside,” says Captain Harrigan. “That’s the rewarding part rick Gates resigned as Co-Chair and John Griffin was Centre, UK service from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, to Bar Harbor, of it.” appointed as the new Co-Chair. John is looking for- Six pilots attended the Manned Model Shiphandling course at Maine, and asked Captain Harrigan if he’d like to be the ward to working with the Committee to improve safety the Warsash Maritime Centre, UK. The manned model captain of it. However much he likes his job as a pilot, Captain Harrigan related issues within the Company. course at Warsash continues to be very beneficial. The course concedes that it’s not easy. As all pilots do, Saint John pilots enables pilots to develop their existing skills and understand- “I said, ‘Sure, I’ll give it a go’.” have to deal with tides and the fog.