Safe passage
Harbour Pilot’ s presence is essential to ensure the vessel’s safe and efficient passage in and out of a port and avoid the danger of collision, contact or running aground, which may cause serious incidents and harm the environment. Safe pilotage requires the effective co-ordination between Harbour Pilot, Master and the other members of the Bridge team. They should discuss and agree about the passage plan, before the passage begins. Lack of communication and/or inadequate Harbor Pilot’s knowledge may lead to the reduction of safety of navigation. In November of 2016, a bulk carrier run aground and remained stranded in the entrance of El Dekheila channel in Egypt. At the time of the incident, two Harbour Pilots were onboard. The safety investigation revealed that the course recommended by the Pilot was different from the one prepared in the passage planning. This incident reveals the necessity of good communication between Harbour Pilot and vessel’s crew and the complete awareness an