Liverpool Pilotage Services Limited (LPSL) is to be congratulated upon receiving accreditation from Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) division for having formally adopted the International Standards for Pilotage Organisations (ISPO) Code. This accreditation provides shipping in the Port of Liverpool with a pilotage service that is quantifiable with respect to the safety management of its operations and its commitment to maintaining a safe environment.

LPSL was required to demonstrate that its policies, together with its aims and objectives and operational procedures, showed a robust and transparent system. The Safety Management Manual (SMM) covers all aspects of the pilotage provision supplied by LPSL from planning the safe navigation of vessels in and out of the port, to boarding and landing and risk-assessments protecting the Pilot Members, to customer expectation.

The work of LPSL does not stop at initial accreditation. LPSL will be required to conduct ongoing audits and management review and will be subject to annual assessment by LRQA in order to maintain the Certificate of Compliance.

Iolo Thomas (Chairman of LPSL), says:

‘It is a proud moment for LPSL and is the culmination of many months of hard work and commitment that will enhance an already commendable operation in the Port of Liverpool and is also one which ships, their masters and owners will benefit from’.

A 960: Why we need standards

The importance of pilotage services meeting the highest possible standards has been highlighted by Mark Williams, director of the West of England P&I Club. At a recent presentation he detailed concerns that many countries weren’t complying with IMO Resolution A.960  which provides recommendations on training, certification and operational procedures. He stated that if non-compliance is proven, the P&I Clubs, having identified the lack of standards for pilotage services as a “weakness”, will propose that A.960 is incorporated into the STCW convention as a mandatory requirement.

The reason that the P&I Clubs are concerned is that they have undertaken a detailed survey of pilotage related incidents over that occurred between 1999 and 2007. Although the number of claims has remained static, the cost of claims has increased enormously over the last 10 years.

Common findings of the cases included inadequate exchanges of communication between the ship’s master and pilot as contributing to many accidents.

Interestingly, Mr Williams specifically  identified Argentina as a problem area stating  “It is one of the few countries that allows competition in pilotage.” JCB