Allegations of trainee pilot misconduct disrupt car carrier operations in İzmit Bay, raising serious safety and legal concerns.
A serious allegation of irregularity regarding pilotage and port operations has emerged in İzmit Bay. According to information obtained, a car transport vessel that departed from OYAK Port in the evening hours was reportedly turned back offshore due to the claim that trainee pilot captains were not allowed on board.
According to a report on the news site www.7deniz.net, the incident occurred around 18:00. It is stated that the vessel, which had left the port, was stopped approximately one nautical mile from the dock and then brought back to the port. It is claimed that the issues experienced were not due to the ship's crew, but rather a lack of communication, with allegations that the pilot captain was not informed in advance about the arrival of the trainees. Following the incident, it is reported that the LCB (Port Exit Document) procedures for the vessel were canceled and an official report was prepared regarding the matter. It is alleged that the second berthing maneuver would be charged to the pilotage organization, and the vessel had to wait at the dock for approximately three hours for this reason.
The vessel in question is reported to be a car carrier belonging to the Neptune Lines fleet, according to the allegations. No official statement has been made by the authorities regarding the issue so far.
Another significant allegation being discussed in the sector regarding the incident is related to the trainees' entry permits to the customs zone. According to information shared in maritime circles, it is claimed that some of the trainees do not have valid customs zone entry permits for the Kocaeli Region, yet they were brought into the customs zone using official vehicles belonging to the port authority.
Within the same allegations, it is also claimed that the trainees are not covered by the insurance of the authorized pilotage organization, yet they are still being attempted to be sent to the ships. It is noted that this situation could lead to serious issues in terms of occupational health and safety as well as labor and social security legislation. It is also alleged that a similar practice occurred during the day at EVYAP Port, where customs units did not allow trainees without the necessary permit documents to enter the customs zone. Following this development, it is claimed that another vessel was also not allowed to leave the port and that operations came to a halt.
Industry representatives emphasize that what has occurred is not merely an operational disruption but a legal problem as well. It is stressed that internships and on-the-job training in pilotage should be carried out through the planning of the authorized pilotage organization, under the supervision of a master, and with proper documentation and certification, and that this cannot be enforced through ordino notes.
In this context, it is stated that administrative and judicial avenues are being evaluated for the cancellation of internship and on-the-job training practices, which are claimed to be conducted in violation of regulations, among the pilotage organization and the Turkish Association of Pilot Captains.
Experts remind that the profession of pilotage is directly linked to maritime safety. They point out that experience, local knowledge, and the master-apprentice relationship form the foundation of this profession, and that 'trainees brought to the field in an unplanned and collective manner' could not only weaken the quality of training but also pose risks in terms of navigation, safety of life, and property.
While waiting for an official statement from the authorities, it is assessed that these developments, allegedly occurring in İzmit Bay, could trigger a broader discussion on port operations and the pilotage system.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
