Minding the Helm Marine Navigation and Piloting (1994) / Chapter Skim
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Pages 1-24
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From page 1... ...
Overview of Marine Navigation and Piloting Marine navigation and piloting involve complex, interdependent operations in a large sociotechnical system that encompasses waterways, vessels, navigation aids, and human operators. System elements are supported by an infrastructure for vessel and port management, pilotage, pilotage regulation, and professional development.
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From page 2... ...
Public concern has also been heightened by the increased potential for damage inherent in increasingly larger ships and barges, the toxic nature of hazardous and dangerous cargoes originating in both foreign and domestic trade that are carried in bulk or in containers, and cargo volume. Although marine transportation entails risks, "acceptable" levels of operational risk have not been established by marine safety authorities.
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From page 3... ...
Strong action by federal and, in the case of pilotage, state-level authorities is needed to improve: · the capability to determine and correct systemic problems underlying human causal factors in marine accidents; · the organizational structure for interdependent decision making through measures that include application of vessel traffic services and other technological aids to marine traffic regulation; · the quality, integrity, and consistency of pilot development programs and associated marine licensing; · the accountability of pilotage systems and individual pilots, by closing gaps in official oversight and other measures; and · the introduction and use of advanced navigation technologies. Timely international action, which includes port-state control measures to enforce international standards, is needed to motivate action by flag states to correct substandard operating and manning practices for merchant vessels operating under each country's registry.
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From page 4... ...
RISK IN THE MARINE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT Major Findings Although marine transportation entails risks, acceptable levels of operational risk have not been established by marine safety authorities. Risk factors are numerous and complex and their interactive effects are poorly understood; consequently, acceptable levels of risk are determined subjectively and vary widely among localities.
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From page 5... ...
These changes have produced substantial incentives for shipping companies to reduce operational risk through improved ship construction, navigational procedures and equipment, and professional development. However, there is no systematic program to monitor shipping, economic, and safety performance trends or their relationship to marine safety laws and regulations or other options for improving marine safety.
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From page 6... ...
Modern shipboard responsibilities often do not allow masters and mates to develop the broad-based proficiency in vessel maneuvering needed to serve as independent marine pilots without an apprenticeship designed for this purpose. Towing industry experience normally provides extensive opportunities to handle vessels and to become familiar with local routes, but it does not provide shipboard experience.
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From page 7... ...
The rapid evolution of advanced electronic navigation and piloting technology calls for new knowledge and skills, in turn increasing the need for continuing professional development, and perhaps for new organizational structures on ships. Acquiring the requisite skills can be especially difficult for marine pilots who are presently exposed to these new technologies on the job rather than through training programs.
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From page 8... ...
Mariners should also be apprised of changes In roles, functions, and organizations that can result from introduction of this technology. Pilotage authorities and marine pilot associations should make provisions to familiarize marine pilots with the capabilities arid general use of flew navigation technologies and with any new organizational forms that result.
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From page 9... ...
In order to reduce exposure to risk, some operating companies obtain marine pilots' services as an additional resource to enhance the overall safety of the passage even when officers aboard U.S.-flag ships are licensed to provide own-ship pilotage. A combination of professional licensing, professional discipline, professional and official oversight, and responsiveness to vessel operator interests in reducing risk is necessary to achieve effective and efficient pilotage and full accountability to the pilotage profession, users of pilotage services, and the public.
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From page 10... ...
In practice, however, marine pilots and docking masters who are members of pilot or docking master associations generally achieve equivalent expertise through the combined effect of pilotage administration, professional development, and operating practices. There are no adequate data or methodologies for comparing safety performance for different pilotage functions, categories of pilots, or pilotage systems across localities.
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From page 11... ...
Its important assets are its consistent nationwide organizational structure; basic, albeit minimal standards for licensing; approval processes for professional development programs designed to satisfy criteria for an original First Class Pilot's License; and a disciplinary process. But the federal program lacks quality assurance in training,
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From page 12... ...
Pilotage administration in the United States needs to be improved, with the objective of providing for the consistent application of professional and system standards to ensure marine safety and environmental protection. The core of an improved system would involve: lion; · professional standards for all aspects of piloting and pilotage administra administration of these standards through existing licensing and administrative bodies; · consolidation of pilotage administration at the port or regional level in the manner prescribed in this report; and .
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From page 13... ...
An independent, multidisciplinary national commission on pilotage, navigation, and waterway safety should be established to guide and assist pilotage authorities and marine safety authorities in implementing systemic improvements with respect to professional standards, accreditation programs for marine pilotage, and system accountability. Action to establish a national commission could be initiated by the piloting profession, which should examine the feasibility of establishing accreditation processes and standards for professional development programs for pilots and docking masters.
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From page 14... ...
Pending development of nationally accepted standards for the piloting profession, all pilotage authorities should examine and improve their pilotage programs with respect to professional development, professional and official accountability, standards of the profession, and infrastructure. Action on the aforementioned recommendations should proceed without delay.
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From page 15... ...
WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT Major Findings Port State Control The volume of foreign-flag ships is of particular concern in improving safety performance, as there is growing evidence for some foreign-flag vessels of substandard conditions with respect to maintenance, bridge team composition and professional qualifications, and navigation and safety equipment. These conditions increase the risk to life, property, and the environment.
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From page 16... ...
The U.S. Coast Guard has substantial authority for marine traffic regulation, including time and space management and direction of specific actions by vessels, such as those carrying certain hazardous or dangerous cargoes.
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From page 17... ...
A national marine traffic regulation system could be established generally using the linked network concept found in the aviation sector. Introduction of most features that could be adapted from the National Airspace System would require the widespread introduction of new operating procedures and highly advanced technology, and are thus suited to international implementation to achieve universal application.
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From page 18... ...
This assessment should be coordinated with the Maritime Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services. NAVIGATION AND PILOTING TECHNOLOGY Major Findings Introduction of New Technology and Performance Criteria Innovations in navigation technology hold significant potential for reducing operational risk and improving safety performance.
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From page 19... ...
The existence of numerous manufacturers will result in a proliferation of electronic charting systems that may or may not meet ECDIS standards and configurations. Such equipment, when introduced into the world's merchant fleets, will complicate greatly the efforts of marine pilots to familiarize themselves with, much less operate, these systems.
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From page 20... ...
Integrated Bridge and Control Systems Effective use of an integrated bridge consistent with the practice of good seamanship may reduce operational risk. It consolidates the navigation, steering, lookout, and communications functions at one workstation, as is done in aviation.
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From page 21... ...
How an independent marine pilot would interface with this new bridge system is not certain. Full use of the system's capabilities seems to require either the integration of independent marine pilots into the bridge team, a non-traditional role, or a redefined working relationship between the pilot and the individual operating the integrated bridge.
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From page 22... ...
The Coast Guard should evaluate empirically the impact of advanced electronic positioning systems, automated steering systems, and integrated bridge and ship control systems on marine safety, piloting practices, use of traditional aids to navigation, and organizational forms and practices that may be required for safe navigation in the future. The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration should encourage the development and enhancement of integrated navigation systems.
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From page 23... ...
The feasibility of electronic ranges and distance-measuring equipment for specialized local use should be examined. MARITIME RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Major Findings The substantial and rapid changes in ship and navigation technologies, manning, and operating practices have created uncertainties about the performance of virtually all systems in marine transportation.
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From page 24... ...
The research needs are substantial and, as they span the missions of the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Transportation Safety Board, a comprehensive cooperative research program is recommended. In view of the Department of Transportation's responsibilities for marine safety, and the research capabilities of its agencies and their ongoing navigation technology research programs, an appropriate agency from the department should coordinate federally-sponsored marine navigation and piloting research.
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