Associated British Ports

ParaHandy

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As a consequence of an unresolved dispute between ABP and Humber Pilots Ltd, the 130 odd members of HPL went on strike in December 2001. The issues are well documented at
http://www.humberpilots.com/dispute/dispute.html
and the site is well worth a visit. In short: ABP are attempting to provide a pilotage service through employment of others. Interestingly, ABP have the sole responsibility (as the port owner) to determine a pilot’s competence and you might be struck, as I was, with the DTI’s alleged threat of criminal proceedings (on HPL) if VHF conversations were reported and the use of mobile phones by ABP’s pilots.

None, or little, of this has reached the national press. The article by Lloyds List reproduced on the site makes disturbing reading as one would assume it represents the view of those caught between – shippers.

In Southampton, what is of interest is ABP’s ambitions at Dibden Bay where they wish to build a container terminal. As movements of these vessels will be aided by pilots you might ponder their (ABP) actions in Hull.
 

ParaHandy

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Read, if you will, the official report into the grounding of the Sea Empress at Milford Haven on 15 February 1996 at:
http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/dot/seaemp/seaemp.htm
The principle finding was pilot error – a miscalculation of wind & tide with, ultimately, disastrous consequences as the weather worsened – and attributed (in part) to inadequate training and inexperience of large tankers (in this case 130,000dwt).

In recent times, of 20 serious oil spills worldwide, three have been in UK waters and two (Milford & Braer) in the last 6 years.

The pilotage arrangements at Milford Haven and Humber and the bitterness between the port authority and pilots seem to be all too familiar. Whereas there are 13 pilots at Milford, there are or were 130 at the Humber and the Imingham refinery is one of the largest in the country.

Anyone who thinks these affairs are conducted in a seamanlike and sensible manner is in for a rude awakening. If these “arrangements” are in the mind of ABP for Dibden they should be told to think again.
 
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