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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
The Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association (BMPA) would like to make it clear that no clear resolution has been achieved in the negotiations for all of the BMPA Members resignations that took effect on Friday March 28, 2014 from both Buckeye Partners LP/BORCO and Freeport Harbour Company (FHC). Here is a layout of the situation at present:
1. All Sides involved want a safe and reasonable solution to this issue as soon as possible so that the interests of National Security, environment, safety and commerce are protected.
2. The ONLY issue holding up progress on a solution is the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) hindering a licencee of the Port Area, namely Freeport Pilotage Company Limited, from operating in the Port Area
(a) Freeport Pilotage Company Limited has a valid GBPA License paid up to date and has been a licensee from 1986. Freeport Pilotage Company provided independent Pilotage services to FHC from 1986 –1997.
(b) GBPA is frustrating the process intentionally because the Board members of GBPA are also Owners of Port Group Limited (PGL) which has ownership and interest in FHC. GBPA President Ian Rolle is also the President of Port Group Limited.
(c) GBPA is not acting in accordance with their duty to be an objective regulator according to Hawksbill Creek Agreement with Government.
3. As a direct result of GBPA frustrating Freeport Pilotage Company as a Licensee, BMPA has applied for a Bahamas Government Business License to operate in Freeport, which has been agreed will be expedited.
(a) All of the pilots are in fact individually licensed as Pilots by the Port Director, who is appointed by GBPA and Approved by the Minister of Transportation. The Port Director has a statutory duty to uphold those licenses without arbitrary revocation.
(b) Bahamas Government Licensed Companies can in fact operate in the Port Area (Freeport) as long as business office is located in Grand Bahama (East or West) and not Freeport.
4. We urge the government to send technical officers skilled in the maritime area in order to assure that proper Maritime safety standards are met and maintained.
Especially in light of companies claims to have adequate pilots when that is clearly not the case, Pilots have been dangerously operating on 24 hour schedules without adequate rest time.
(a) This issue is a Maritime issue not a Labour issue, the Pilots are not asking for Jobs, they have resigned.
(b) There have not been any involvement of government Maritime skilled Technical Officers in the negotiations to date.
5. The request to bring in Foreign Pilots is ridiculous with qualified Bahamian Pilots available, and ready to work. If a Business License is the only issue, the government has assured expediting the license in the interest of National Security, environment, safety and commerce.
(a) This is also not a viable solution because even for an experienced Pilot, foreign or not, who is not experienced or licensed in this Particular Harbour it would take 1-2 years training at minimum to become licensed. The notion of granting a Work Permit for a foreigner to be a trainee with licensed Bahamians available that do not need training is not sustainable.
6. As a result of the resignations taking effect there are unusual delays causing a backup of ship to be serviced by both companies. BMPA has made it clear to all parties involved that we are prepared to provide all of our Licensed Pilots immediately to clear up any delays and back ups, in the interest of National Security, environment, safety and commerce.
Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association at 242-552-3277, or BMPApilots@gmail.com
BMPA has been organised to encourage safe and responsible operation of marine pilots and other marine professionals; to develop advice and guidance for best industrial practice among its members and promote criteria for best practice to all who have responsibilities for, or interest in, offering professional maritime pilotage services. BMPA's principal role will be to advocate measures to enhance the safety of life and property at sea and pollution. It will represent the interests of its members, in matters concerning the safe operation of pilotage and marine services offered in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, to local and regional bodies and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). It will consult with the IMO, government agencies and other non- governmental organisations. BMPA has also formed strategic relationships with International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA), Trinidad & Tabago Pilots' Association, American Pilots Association (APA), the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates, SUNY Maritime College, and several Pilot Associations in the United States including, Florida Harbour Pilots, Tampa Bay Pilots, Cape Canaveral Pilots, Biscayne Bay Pilots, Port Everglades Pilots, Sandy Hook Pilots of New York and New Jersey, and Houston Pilots.
PLEASE SEE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS BELOW:
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