THE DANISH DEBATE; SHIPS AND PILOTS
Ships have been plying the world’s oceans for thousands of years; Mesopotamia is believed to be one of the earliest civilizations to spread trade through the known world via ships. Navigating ships across a sea, however, was entirely separate from entering confined channels, fairways and harbors where the already risk filled enterprise became nearly impossible to complete without mishap or disaster. This was due to the fact that the captain of the ship most certainly did not have nearly enough expertise in any number of the local harbors and waterways where trade required the ship go. This immediately led captains of trading vessels to seek out local mariners (usually fishermen) to assist them in bringing the ship safely into harbor, thus the job of pilot entered into the ancient world. Certainly the Babylonian’s had codified laws relating to Pilots and Piloting. The first
laws governing European pilotage are believed to be from the Reign of King Richard I of England in the late 1100’s. So it continued through the great Ottoman, Venetian, etc. empires to the present day.
Today, in any local fairway, bay or harbor there will be a pilot group whose task it is to safely bring all ships into and out of said fairway, bay or harbor. These specialist men and women most likely have come from a career at sea as captains, many having extensive experience at sea prior to becoming a pilot. One may conclude the pilot is an expert shiphandler and that would be correct but in any analysis piloting is much more than just ship driving. If it weren’t, experienced masters the world over would be willing to pilot own vessels (this is a critical point the greater public should be aware of).
The pilot is an integral part of a much greater marine transportation system and has unique, intimate experience and familiarity within the greater port and coastal waters being served. This includes knowledge of marine spatial planning, port state control, associated traffic systems, regulations, geography and coastal navigational hazards. In addition to the aforementioned, an almost rote memory of perhaps thousands of ship handling maneuvers potentially required at any route, fairway or berth, all under the constant demand of Public and Environmental safety.
They must walk the fine line between keeping commerce moving while still safeguarding the environment. Most assuredly they should believe in standards of professional conduct that are greater than self-interest and embrace the Public Trust. We would argue, and few would disagree, that pilotage is a “Public Service” and as such can only be accomplished under Navigation Safety Regulation; that is to say Compulsory, non-competitive pilotage. It may seem counter-intuitive but ‘free market’ competition in piloting is a direct threat to the natural environment and safety, as underscored by the vast number of countries that embrace Navigation Safety Regulation.
In a competitive environment, pilot against pilot, the first thing sacrificed is safety; ‘I will do what I have to do to get the work and feed my family’. The freedom to exercise independent judgment is the single greatest factor in protecting our waters, bays and communities from the intense pressure of “on time” international shipping delivery and that independence can only come through regulation.
And so it is with grave concern that this writer finds another great nation rich with maritime tradition; one of the leading sea-going countries, presently moving to bring competitive piloting within its waterways thus (in the author’s opinion) jeopardizing safety and the environment. As of this writing, the Danish Maritime Authority is submitting legislation in the Danish Parliament to amend the Danish Piloting Act through the introduction of competition. There is neither time nor space in this article to go into the intricacies of the ongoing process but it should be pointed out again that there is overwhelming international consensus on the subject being debated. Germany, Japan, Korea, United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, Canada, Poland, etc. stand squarely behind proposals to exclude pilotage from Market Access in any new transportation regulations being considered worldwide, including the European Union. Standing behind those nations (and more not noted herein) are the International Organizations representing pilots and those in command at sea who know full well the stakes at hand. Responsible marine transportation governance is conscientious, accountable and sensible. Let us hope, for the sake of The Public Trust, the Danish Parliament knows the difference between good and bad marine transportation governance.