The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – The Bahamas Oil Refining Company is again defending the safety of its marine operations in Grand Bahama, following recent claims made by BMPA and IMPA officials.

The company says that safety advisories recently issued by the Bahamas Marine Pilots’ Association are “baseless” and have no merit.

“The Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association (BMPA) and certain representatives of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) continue to put forward false claims regarding the safety of BORCO’s marine operations and Freeport Harbour,” the statement read.

“The most recent tactic of the BMPA is to issue so-called ‘advisories’ that make baseless claims about the safety standards of vessel operations in The Bahamas.”

BORCO said that the BMPA is not a government entity and has no authority to issue safety advisories.

“The organisation has no jurisdiction over maritime affairs in The Bahamas and is infringing upon the authority of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the elected Government of the Bahamas and, to our knowledge, neither has afforded the BMPA a mandate of any kind.

BMPA, with the support of Nick Cutmore, Secretary General of IMPA, expressed concerns about the lack of structure for pilotage, poor standards, and lack of training for marine pilots.

BMPA is seeking to establish independent pilotage in Grand Bahama. The association has established the newly formed Freeport Pilotage Company Ltd to provide independent pilotage services to vessels calling at the port in Freeport.

More than a dozen marine pilots at BORCO and Freeport Harbour have resigned from their post and are now employed at the newly formed company.

BORCO claims that the BMPA “is simply trying to establish a for-profit monopoly enterprise for its own financial gain at the expense of the longstanding, reputable and safe businesses operating in Freeport Harbour.”

“The motives of the BMPA are quite clear, and the organisation has virtually no credibility on this matter.”

BORCO said that its marine operations are very safe. The company said it currently has a team of five pilots on staff.

“We stand by the work of our pilots to ensure that level of safety. As we have stated before, all BORCO operations will continue with business as usual.

“BORCO has a dedicated team of five experienced pilots in place that is more than capable of handling our pilotage needs comfortably on a normal schedule, and there will be no interruption of or delay in service.

The company noted that two new junior pilots have also joined the BORCO team and will be trained on the berthing process according to industry standards.

“Any statements to the contrary or accusations that BORCO pilots are currently overworked are unfounded.

“BORCO has conducted operations at or above international industry standards for over 50 years. We will continue to uphold the highest international performance standards that have long been key to BORCO’s success in the international oil transshipment and storage industry,” the company said.