The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Management of Freeport Harbour Company (Harbour Company) Limited has confirmed that it has received and accepted formal resignations of five of its marine pilots.

On Friday, some 15 marine pilots on Grand Bahama gave 30-day notices of resignation at BORCO, Freeport Harbour and Statoil.

Erin Ferguson, managing director of Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association, said the pilots will be providing pilotage 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.

In a statement issued by Freeport Harbour Company, management assured the maritime industry, stakeholders, including taxi cab and tour operators, its vendors and artisans, shipping agents, the Ministry of Tourism and Government that a core team of dedicated pilots are in place to service the harbour requirements.

“The Harbour Company has for some time been aware of the intention of some of our pilots and appropriate contingency measures are in place. This action of our pilots to force the Harbour Company to hand over its investments, legal and rightful business to them will not succeed,” the statement said.

“The shareholders and management of the Freeport Harbour Company assure the maritime community of its continued commitment to the safe and commercial success of Freeport Harbour and Grand Bahama Island.”

Freeport Harbour Company operates one of the fastest emerging cruise and maritime centres in North America. It is privately owned and operated by a joint venture between the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group and the Port Group Limited (the Grand Bahama Port Authority).