Welcome to THE PILOT, the magazine of the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots' Association (UKMPA) www.ukmpa.org
This home page contains the editorial from the latest issue and press cuttings updated whenever I get time. These, along with the latest information regarding the current printed magazine appear beneath the photo that I normally change when I update the site content. The main articles and features have links to the original illustrated articles in the pdf back issues. Specific topics may be found using the search box at the top of this page.
AIf you have an article which you wish to have considered for publication in the magazine or on the site please contact me via the following link . pilotmag.co.uk/about/contact.aspx
Please Note: All the content is made freely available for research purposes but if you wish to use any content in another publication please contact me for permission from the author. Finally it should, in particular, be noted that the analysis of incidents and investigations are my own personal interpretation and reference should always be made to the original reports via the embedded link.
John Clandillon-Baker, Editor
UPDATED: 03/05/08
The April issue has been printed and posted out. This site will be updated with new content after the :
UKMPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
15TH -16TH MAY 2008
For full details see circular 16 - 2007 within the members' area of the UKMPA website:
www.ukmpa.org
PRE CONFERENCE GOLF TOURNAMENT\; 14th May
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IMPA CONGRESS BANKOK 4TH - 8TH AUGUST 2008: www.impa2008.org/
BBC RADIO 4 PROGRAMME ON PILOTS
BRITISH JOURNALIST LIBBY PURVES INTERVIEWED RETIRED TEES PILOT AND EX IMPA PRESIDENT, GEOFF TAYLOR, ALONG WITH MYSELF AND ANOTHER LONDON PILOT FOR A PROGRAMME BROADCAST ON MONDAY 7TH JANUARY. DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME FROM THE IMPA WEBSITE HOMEPAGE: www.impahq.org/
ARTICLE ON PILOTS IN THE TIMES NEWSPAPER
LIBBY SPENT SOME TIME WITH THE TEES PILOTS AND HAS WRITTEN AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE WHICH CAN BE VIEWED VIA THE FOLLOWING LINK:
women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article3122236.ece
21.03.08
The role of the pilot has never been easy to define but generally the Master pilot relationship results in a mutual understanding that works remarkably well considering the number of ship movements that are undertaken without incident throughout the world every day. Unfortunately a combination of circumstances inevitably combine which results in an incident in pilotage waters and of course the investigators have the benefit of hindsight to analyse in detail what went wrong and make “recommendations”. However, there is a fundamental difference between undertaking investigation to produce reports to provide “lessons learnt” in order to prevent others making a similar error and using the findings to apportion blame which could result in prosecutors using such fact finding reports in support of legal action. Regrettably there is an increasing tendency towards the latter in maritime investigations and whilst the system has worked extremely well for the air industry it is no longer working for the maritime industry. In a recent “Viewpoint” column in Lloyd’s List, Michael Gray eloquently wrote about this development and quoted Dennis Bryant of Holland+Knight who has accurately summed up the difference in the following quote “When there is an aviation casualty, the search starts for the cause and how to prevent a recurrence, When there is a maritime casualty, the search often starts for someone to blame and possibly prosecute. “
Pilots are of course at the front line and the UKMPA are currently supporting two members whose authorisations are under threat following incidents. By seeking to identify a “culprit” in every maritime incident and possibly using MAIB reports to bring legal action against individuals there is a danger that those involved will increasingly refuse to co-operate in investigations. This is a serious problem that the MAIB needs to address as a matter of urgency.