The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association plans to voice its concerns regarding recent challenges with BORCO during an international meeting in Panama this week.

President of the BMPA Captain Kendall Williamson will speak and outline the issues during the 22nd International Maritime Pilots’ Association Congress. The meetings began yesterday and will continue until Friday, April 11.

According to a press statement issued yesterday, the BMPA views the opportunity to not only share its challenges, but to gain access to more resources from pilots worldwide.

“The BMPA feels this conference,” the statement said, “is of vital importance to the issues currently experienced by the BMPA in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Panama as the number one transshipment hub in the western hemisphere provides a perfect model for Freeport, which is second in transshipment, as to how to carryout piloting operations at a transshipment centre.

“As Freeport plans to expand its transshipment operations it is extremely important that all international standards are incorporated into the country’s Maritime Policy and practices on the ground in Freeport.”

Just last week, it was confirmed by officials at the Freeport Harbour Company Limited that the formal resignations of five marine pilots had been received. Days before, around 15 marine pilots at Grand Bahama gave 30-day notices of resignation at BORCO, Freeport Harbour and Statoil.

Later, Managing Director of the BMPA Erin Ferguson said the pilots would be providing piloting services through the newly-formed Freeport Pilotage Company Ltd.

He said, according to standards around the world, marine pilots are to be independent of commercial interests so that they can make decisions in the best of interest of the port.

Panama is home to the most significant pilot association – the Panama Canal Pilots’ Association, which is the sole independent body that manages the Canal.

Captain Williamson has extended an invitation to the Ministry of Transport and the government of the Bahamas to send representatives to share in the experience and gain access to world players in the marine industry.