98027 Don't Do It Yourself

Don't Do It Yourself
India
Report No. 98027

A foreign flag container vessel has been calling regularly into a certain port and the master has also visited on the same ship several times. Recently, the said vessel was scheduled to sail at night from the container terminal. The master had already singled up the lines prior to the pilot boarding. As soon as the pilot boarded, the master cast off the lines without making fast any tugs as per normal procedure in spite of the pilot's protest. The master did not exchange any information with the pilot and refused to speak to him. The master then proceeded to turn the vessel round on his own causing a near miss with another outbound vessel. As the master refused to take any instructions from the pilot, the pilot requested that the master anchor in the channel and let him disembark. The master refused to comply. The senior pilot who was also on duty intervened and spoke to the master on the VHF. The master, however, continued with his adamant attitude. The pilot felt that the master's action may result in the vessel and the port being endangered but he had no other option but to wait a while. He then asked the master again that he be allowed to pilot the vessel to the pilot station and this time the master agreed.

The initial reaction of the harbour authorities was to debar the master from calling at the port in the future. However, as the master had apologised verbally, and to give him a fair chance to explain his actions, he was allowed to call at the port again after submitting an undertaking that he would attend an enquiry and that he would permit the pilot to board and not interfere with the pilot unless he felt that the vessel was in danger or he was doubtful of the pilot's action, he also agreed to comply with the port's rules and regulations.

An enquiry was held and it transpired that the master had cast off on his own because he was rushing to avoid paying an extra days dues. The master had returned to the vessel late and the cargo work had already finished. He feared that he would be answerable for any such delay and possibly the additional dues would be deducted from his salary by the owners. Due to the delay, it was likely that berth hire for a further day would have to be paid if the vessel did not sail within the hour. The enquiry found that the master was ill prepared to cast off on his own and did so at considerable risk to his vessel, other vessels and the port.

From the above, it can clearly be seen that commercial considerations and pressures caused him to take such an irresponsible and totally unsafe action which could have been even more damaging. Masters should understand that the pilot is on board for the safety of the vessel, the port and other vessels. Pilotage is team work in which both must co-operate. Team work gives advantages to both sides and the consequences of not working together can be very serious.