Friday, 18th December 2020
The scope of this report covers a twenty-year period between 1999 and 2019 in which there were 1,046 such recorded incidents and where each incident gave rise to P&I liabilities in excess of US$100,000.
The report has been prepared by the International Group (IG), in response to concerns expressed by the IG Clubs’ shipowner Boards of Directors, to understand the severity and frequency of the P&I liabilities that arise when a vessel is under pilotage, where in the world those liabilities continue to arise, and considers recommendations to mitigate the risk of such liabilities occurring in the future. The report provides a valuable overview of the nature, frequency, severity and overall cost associated with incidents that occur when a vessel is navigating with the assistance of a pilot.
Statement from the Chairman of the International Group’s Pilotage subcommittee – Chris Adams, said:
“This report provides a valuable overview of the nature, frequency, severity and overall cost associated with incidents that occur when a vessel is navigating with the assistance of a pilot. Although the overall cost of such incidents over the twenty-year period covered by this report is very significant, the frequency of incidents in comparison with the overall number of ship movements annually is thankfully very low. Nonetheless, there continue to be concerns, particularly in respect of recent and recurrent incidents involving large container vessels and contact with gantry cranes. In recommending continued and enhanced focus upon training in relation Bridge Resource Management whilst vessels are under pilotage, the report recognises the need to acknowledge the role played by ships’ masters and navigating officers in the vessels’ passage under pilotage. However, in order to better understand the root cause of incidents and to identify measures that will serve to avoid recurrence, the report also proposes a collaborative approach for the future in the investigation of such incidents. The International Group therefore will welcome the co-operation and support of pilotage authorities and the shipowner and pilotage representative bodies, in particular the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA), in working to achieve this aim of reducing the number and severity of such incidents.”
