You are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library The New Jersey Maritime Pilot and Docking Pilot Commission 2010 Annual Report 162nd Edition Editor: Andre M. Stuckey You are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library You are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library Commissioner Joseph Azzolina January 26, 1926—April 15, 2010 The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar. A.L. Tennyson Commissioner Joseph Azzolina, mariner, statesman, philanthropist and a member of the New Jersey Maritime Pilot and Docking Pilot Commission crossed the bar on April 15, 2010. As a United States Naval Officer, in times of war and peace, Commissioner Joseph Azzolina, rising to the rank of Captain, served his nation with honor and distinction. As an elected representative of the people of the State of New Jersey, Senator and Assemblyman, Commissioner Azzolina devoted his time and energy for the betterment of his fellow citizens. Commissioner Azzolina was a valued member of the New Jersey Maritime Pilot and Docking Pilot Commission. The Commissioners honored the legacy of Commissioner Joseph Azzolina for an exemplary life of high achievement, distinction, and service to his country fellow man, and the citizens of the State of New Jersey. JK Commissioner Richard L. Amster Retired, July 1, 2010 Commissioner Richard L. Amster retired in July after more than 30 years of service as a member of the Commission. He served his country with honor and distinction as a United States Navy combat line officer aboard ship in the Pacific theater during World War II. After his war time service was completed Commissioner Amster embarked upon a legal career and has been a highly regarded member of the bar for more than fifty years. Commissioner Richard L. Amster is believed to be the longest serving Commissioner in the 173 year history of this Commission, having been first nominated by than Governor Thomas Kean in January 1980 and continuing his service until his retirement in July 2010. During Commissioner Richard L. Amster’s “watch” as a distinguished member of this Commission and his time as its president he was respected and admired by his fellow Commissioners, staff, and pilots alike for his wise counsel, maritime knowledge and tireless efforts towards ensuring a safe and efficient pilotage service. Upon his retirement the Commission extended to Commissioner Amster its best wishes...For Fair winds and Following Seas. You are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library Dear Governor and Members of the New Jersey Legislature, The Commission ends 2010 with only four of our six authorized members. Commis- sioner Joseph Azzolina, Sr. passed away this year. Commissioner Richard L. Amster re- tired after serving more than thirty years as a Commissioner. Both gentlemen were United States Navy officers who served the country during times of war. Their maritime expertise and wise counsel will be missed. The Commissioners met with the new United States Coast Guard (USCG) Captain of the Port (COTP), Captain Linda Fagan. Navigational safety is a collaborative effort among pilots, Commissioners, and the USCG. The Commissioners look forward to working with Captain Fagan and her staff. Pilots licensed by the state continue to enjoy a world-wide reputation for excellence. In aid of maintaining this level of expertise, the Commissioners review all incidents that oc- cur when a New Jersey licensed pilot is conducting the navigation of a ship. These “post mortem” studies enable the Commission to order remedial action, if needed. The science of vessel accident investigation has been greatly enhanced by recent regulations which require that vessels be equipped with Voyage Data Recorders. These so called black boxes record among other things, the speed, course, rudder angles, and conversations on a vessel’s bridge. The data is downloaded to a computer and studied by the Commis- sioner designated to investigate the incident. The Commission continues to operate on funds derived from pilotage revenues. The sec- tion of this report entitled “Overview of the Commission” provides a more detailed de- scription of the multiple tasks that are shouldered by Commissioners in the performance of their duties. Sincerely, Thomas F. Daly, President New Jersey Maritime Pilot and Docking Pilot Commission You are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library Overview of the Commission This Commission was formed in 1837 to license and regulate the plots who are in charge of the navigation of seagoing vessels as they enter the Port of New Jersey/New York, ma- neuver within the port, and depart the port. There is currently a cadre of eighty-four pi- lots and apprentices regulated by this Commission. The Commission is an “in but not of” agency located within the NJDOT. There is also a six member New York Commission of Pilotage which licenses an additional forty-three of the Port’s pilots. Similar in structure to the N.J. Commission, the N.Y. Commission’s paid members also have maritime back- grounds. The six New Jersey Commission members are nominated by the Governor and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, serve three year terms. The Commission is bipartisan— the applicable statute mandates that not more than three Commissioners can be members of the same political party. The statute also requires that Commissioners “shall be se- lected from among such persons as have been officers in our naval, Coast Guard or mer- chant service, or have been duly qualified as United States Merchant Marine Officers.” No member shall have a direct or indirect financial interest in pilotage service. All salaries and expenses of the Commission are paid from revenues received from N.J. licensed pi- lots. Consequently, there is no cost to taxpayers. In 2004 there was a significant expansion of the scope of the Commission’s responsibili- ties which was occasioned by post 9/11 maritime security and safe navigation issues. The Commission brought these concerns to the attention of the legislature and drafted legisla- tion which was ultimately enacted into law. These reforms have enhanced security and the quality of pilotage. Pilots licensed by the State of New Jersey pilot in excess of 10,000 vessels annually. A sig- nificant percentage of these ships are heavily laden with bunker oil. Many exceed 900’ in length. In the case of tank vessels, their cargoes may consist of millions of gallons of pe- troleum based products, including highly volatile fuels. There are chemical tankers which transport toxic and explosive chemicals. High value cargoes are carried on container- ships. Mishaps have the potential to cause widespread death and destruction, as well as substantial interruption to the region’s economy. The pilots licensed by the New Jersey and New York Commissions enjoy an enviable safety record. In addition to attending regular and special meetings, the Commissioners’ have a myriad of duties including but not limited to: accident investigation, apprentice pilot selection, You are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library production, administrating and grading of pilot exams, review and approval of apprentice training, and recurrent training programs. Because the Commission can convene as a tri- bunal of experts in the field, it hears and adjudicates penalty actions. Absent this exper- tise, these matters would have to be referred to an Administrative Law Judge. This would both delay the process and increase the attendant costs. Every incident which occurs with a New Jersey pilot aboard must be promptly investigated by a Commissioner for the purpose of determining causation and ascertaining if pilot er- ror contributed to the accident. There were thirty-one investigations in 2010. Major acci- dent investigations can, and have, required over 150 hours of a Commissioner’s time to ascertain the facts and prepare reports for the Commission’s review and action. Because the Commission is the only state or federal agency empowered to suspend or revoke a pilot’s license, it alone can act promptly if it turns out that an individual pilot has a prob- lem which could cause another accident. Although the Coast Guard and the NTSB may also conduct investigations, they do not have licensure jurisdiction. In addition, it is not unusual for these agencies’ investigation to take a year or more, which is unacceptable when prompt action may be essential to preventing future accidents. During the most recent round of the apprentice selection process, the responsible Com- missioner devoted in excess of 10 days to the evaluation and interviewing process used to select apprentice pilots. Prior to being licensed, graduates of the apprentice training pro- gram must pass an examination which tests their knowledge of the Rules of the Road, sea- manship, ship handling, tides and channels. This examination is produced, monitored and graded under the supervision of a Commissioner. It can take the examinee four-eight hour days to complete. If the examinee does not pass the exam, the Commission will not issue a license. Commissioners often board vessels with the pilot and act as pilot observers for the pur- pose of staying current with issues pilots confront such as, changing channel conditions, the quality of the crews on ships being piloted and changes in berth design. This also af- fords a Commissioner the opportunity to engage pilots in conversations, other than at for- mal meetings, in order to ascertain their views with respect to the need for changes that the Commission is empowered to make. These observation trips can consume a consid- erable amount of a Commissioners time. A number of joint committees exist with the New York Commission. In addition to the apprentice selection committee process discussed above, at least four times annually a New Jersey Commissioner meets with the “Pension and Surcharge Committee,” whose members are a New York Commissioner, pilots, industry representatives and an actuary.