The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Following the recent resignation of some 15 marine pilots on Grand Bahama amid concerns of safety and training, the Bahamas Oil Refining Company (BORCO) says it is committed to maintaining a safe and efficient work environment for its employees.

Four of the 15 pilots, who tendered their 30-day notice of resignation, are employed at BORCO. The Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association said the pilots are seeking to establish independent pilotage on Grand Bahama.

In a statement issued to The Tribune on Tuesday, BORCO stated that it has devoted significant resources to achieving the same goals the BMPA claims to seek within their existing pilotage infrastructure.

“Unfortunately, the BMPA has distorted the facts to support its stated cause. BORCO is deeply committed to the people and economy of Grand Bahama Island, as well as maintaining a safe and efficient work environment for all of our employees.

“Our dedicated team of pilots remains in place and we do not expect any interruption of service,” the statement read.

For nearly 50 years, BORCO has delivered pilotage and related services to the vessels that call annually at their facilities.

The company said its pilotage programme is designed to meet the specific needs of their business and their customers, while maintaining safe and professional vessel operations.

“We have recruited, engaged, trained, and maintained a team of marine pilots with the skills and capacity to provide safe services that meet international industry standards.

“Our training programme is on par with the best in the industry and we are also constantly incorporating the latest technology. We have made significant investments to provide regular, certified training for all of our pilots to ensure BORCO customers receive top-level service while protecting the integrity of our marine operation and the Port of Freeport,” the company said.

The company said their pilots are sent to the Netherlands and the USA to receive training on state-of-the-art marine simulators.

BORCO said it is working with a company to install a simulator in Grand Bahama to further the level of training and efficiency for all pilots and tug captains on the berthing process.

“In addition, our marine and pilotage infrastructure includes procedures/policies that emphasise operational safety and pilotage best-practices as part of our commitment to protect our pilots, customers, Port facilities, the marine environment, and the people of Grand Bahama.

“BORCO has a long history of taking care of all of our employees. We deeply value our pilots and we encourage a balanced, positive work environment.

“All BORCO pilots maintain schedules and rotations in line with industry standards and regulations. BORCO employs twice the number of pilots necessary to ensure that our pilots have sufficient rest. We also work to ensure that there are always open lines of communication with all employees so we can address any concerns.

“There are many ports throughout the world where the pilotage services are provided by the port users and not an independent association. Maintaining management control of our marine operations, including pilotage services and the related infrastructure, internally is the best option for BORCO and Grand Bahama.

“We intend to keep our existing, successful infrastructure in place,” the company said.

Erin Ferguson, managing director of the Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association, said the association is seeking to establish an independent and safer pilotage in Freeport.

“We have a current system of pilotage where pilots work for companies. In most ports around the world, pilots are completely independent of the port or companies it provides service,” he said.

He said the 15 pilots who gave their notice of resignation at BORCO, Statoil, and Freeport Harbour, will provide pilotage service through the Freeport Pilotage Company Ltd at the end of March.

Mr Ferguson claimed there is a lack of proper training for pilots, particularly at the harbour. There is also concern for a proper rotation system, he said.

“Independence will provide pilots with the ability to do their own training. Every six months pilots are supposed to receive training with man models, simulators, and bridge control management.

“That has not happened in the companies we are dealing with and so pilots are not trained as well as they would be if they were independent,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said the association is not receiving any cooperation from the companies.

He said they intend to introduce software that will help avoid incidents and confusion in the harbour, and make it more efficient.

“The Houston pilots have visited the Bahamas and to explain the software… that is used to manage Houston harbour which is the second largest petro harbour in the world and at Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.