MARINE PILOT WORK PROCESS
Port/Harbour pilots are a unique group of seafarers who possess high levels of local area knowledge, ship handling skills and navigational experience. The pilot’s job is also considered as a highly respectable position as the flag will be flew to indicate his presence on the vessel. When on board vessel, the pilot’s role is to work with the bridge team to ensure a safe passage through the pilotage region/s is achieved.
As pilotage work is largely dependent on shipping demands and tidal conditions, work schedules are highly irregular with duties performed across all hours of the day and night throughout the shift system requirement. Responding to the duty-call, the pilot will jump on the Pilot Boat and proceed to his designated call either for vessel or any floating craft which require pilotage advice to approach, leave or shift within the harbour limits irregardless the prevailing of the sea and weather conditions.
It very vital for the pilot to be in good shape either mental or physical because the potential stress-related outcomes of irregular work patterns such as berthing / unberthing operations, deep draught and restriction condition are primarily associated with disrupted circadian rhythms, compromised sleep and social and domestic problems. Additionally, the long working hours, work underload, commercial pressures and on board and environmental conditions associated with marine pilotage work tends to further increase the stress experienced by pilots.
This in turn can lead to a sub-optimal psycho physiological state, which may manifest as increased fatigue, mood deterioration and performance decrements. Specifically, pilots appear to be at risk of exhibiting fatigue induced performance decrements when tasks require high levels of vigilance, decision making, judgment, memory and/or attention.
The pilot shall at all time use care and diligence to prevent or damage either to the boarding vessel, other vessels or property of whatsoever and not cause obstruction or interference with the harbour water and navigable channel.
2.1 Vessel or any floating craft calling at the port
When a vessel or any floating craft requires the services of a pilot for moving the vessel or any floating craft at an approved time, the pilot shall embark the Pilot Boat by using the vertical ladder and proceed to the north channel seaward to render his service to the vessel or any floating craft at that time by touring safely into the harbour towards its destination.
Regardless the hours of darkness and in inclement weather with high swell or heavy rain, the pilot must board the vessel although he may be experiencing the rough weather striking, slamming and engulfed by huge breaking seas. The pilot boat will maneuver and alongside at the moving motion of vessel’s structure and under the pilot ladder the pilot climbs the flight of ladders vertically and proceeds to the bridge to conduct to its destination.
Once the vessel or any floating craft alongsided at the wharf or riding the anchor handsomely, the pilot disembarks by pilot ladder or accommodation ladder and proceed to the Pilot Base for next duty-call.
2.2 Vessel or any floating craft unberth the wharf / anchorage to sail
Upon the duty-call to unberth the vessel or any floating craft from the wharf or anchorage to sail, the pilot will embark the Pilot Boat at Old Ferry Jetty vertical ladder and proceed to the vessel or any floating craft to exercise his pilotage skill. Prior to his arrival, he boards the vessel or any floating craft either the pilot ladder or accommodation ladder at his discretion.
Once the vessel or any floating craft is cast off of the wharf or the anchor is away, it will be toured by the pilot through the port water to the Pilot Ground Position safely. At that position, the pilot boat will be maneuvering easily and alongside to relieve the pilot who has completed his tour of duty although it is bounced about by the waves created from uncertain weather conditions
Reassuring the safety and readiness of vessel or any floating craft to proceed to high seas is maintained, the pilot will disembark by the pilot ladder at the lee way to prevent the pilot from unforeseen circumstances such as being swung into the ship and struck the bulkhead created by the wind tribulation and ship’s motion in response to the sea and weather conditions during the disembarkation process to the Pilot Boat.
2.3 Vessel or any floating craft shifts to berth / anchorage
Upon duty-call to unberth the vessel or any floating craft from the wharf to anchorage or vice visa, the pilot will embark the pilot boat at old ferry jetty vertical ladder and proceed to the vessel or any floating craft. He boards the vessel by the pilot ladder or accommodation ladder whichever at his own convenience.
Once the vessel or any floating craft is cast off of the wharf or anchor is cleared, it will be toured by the pilot to the respective anchorage or wharf. Upon satisfaction with the anchorage position or alongside operation achieved, the pilot disembarks by the pilot ladder or accommodation ladder.
As pilotage work is largely dependent on shipping demands and tidal conditions, work schedules are highly irregular with duties performed across all hours of the day and night throughout the shift system requirement. Responding to the duty-call, the pilot will jump on the Pilot Boat and proceed to his designated call either for vessel or any floating craft which require pilotage advice to approach, leave or shift within the harbour limits irregardless the prevailing of the sea and weather conditions.
It very vital for the pilot to be in good shape either mental or physical because the potential stress-related outcomes of irregular work patterns such as berthing / unberthing operations, deep draught and restriction condition are primarily associated with disrupted circadian rhythms, compromised sleep and social and domestic problems. Additionally, the long working hours, work underload, commercial pressures and on board and environmental conditions associated with marine pilotage work tends to further increase the stress experienced by pilots.
This in turn can lead to a sub-optimal psycho physiological state, which may manifest as increased fatigue, mood deterioration and performance decrements. Specifically, pilots appear to be at risk of exhibiting fatigue induced performance decrements when tasks require high levels of vigilance, decision making, judgment, memory and/or attention.
The pilot shall at all time use care and diligence to prevent or damage either to the boarding vessel, other vessels or property of whatsoever and not cause obstruction or interference with the harbour water and navigable channel.
2.1 Vessel or any floating craft calling at the port
When a vessel or any floating craft requires the services of a pilot for moving the vessel or any floating craft at an approved time, the pilot shall embark the Pilot Boat by using the vertical ladder and proceed to the north channel seaward to render his service to the vessel or any floating craft at that time by touring safely into the harbour towards its destination.
Regardless the hours of darkness and in inclement weather with high swell or heavy rain, the pilot must board the vessel although he may be experiencing the rough weather striking, slamming and engulfed by huge breaking seas. The pilot boat will maneuver and alongside at the moving motion of vessel’s structure and under the pilot ladder the pilot climbs the flight of ladders vertically and proceeds to the bridge to conduct to its destination.
Once the vessel or any floating craft alongsided at the wharf or riding the anchor handsomely, the pilot disembarks by pilot ladder or accommodation ladder and proceed to the Pilot Base for next duty-call.
2.2 Vessel or any floating craft unberth the wharf / anchorage to sail
Upon the duty-call to unberth the vessel or any floating craft from the wharf or anchorage to sail, the pilot will embark the Pilot Boat at Old Ferry Jetty vertical ladder and proceed to the vessel or any floating craft to exercise his pilotage skill. Prior to his arrival, he boards the vessel or any floating craft either the pilot ladder or accommodation ladder at his discretion.
Once the vessel or any floating craft is cast off of the wharf or the anchor is away, it will be toured by the pilot through the port water to the Pilot Ground Position safely. At that position, the pilot boat will be maneuvering easily and alongside to relieve the pilot who has completed his tour of duty although it is bounced about by the waves created from uncertain weather conditions
Reassuring the safety and readiness of vessel or any floating craft to proceed to high seas is maintained, the pilot will disembark by the pilot ladder at the lee way to prevent the pilot from unforeseen circumstances such as being swung into the ship and struck the bulkhead created by the wind tribulation and ship’s motion in response to the sea and weather conditions during the disembarkation process to the Pilot Boat.
2.3 Vessel or any floating craft shifts to berth / anchorage
Upon duty-call to unberth the vessel or any floating craft from the wharf to anchorage or vice visa, the pilot will embark the pilot boat at old ferry jetty vertical ladder and proceed to the vessel or any floating craft. He boards the vessel by the pilot ladder or accommodation ladder whichever at his own convenience.
Once the vessel or any floating craft is cast off of the wharf or anchor is cleared, it will be toured by the pilot to the respective anchorage or wharf. Upon satisfaction with the anchorage position or alongside operation achieved, the pilot disembarks by the pilot ladder or accommodation ladder.
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