Nautilus Telegraph September 2016

Pilotage on show Mersey museum marks river pilots’ 250th birthday 22-23

The tide is turning Thames sewerage scheme aims to boost river work 26

NL nieuws Drie pagina’s met nieuws uit Nederland 30-32

Volume 49 | Number 09 | September 2016 | £3.50 €3.70

Alarm after rig grounds under way last month after a F semi-submersible rig ran aground off A major salvage operation got

the west coast of Scotland.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Transocean Winner grounded on the Isle of Lewis after losing its connection to a Dutch support vessel.

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) said a team of experts from Smit Salvage were undertaking damage assessments and transferring fuel oil above the waterline before planning the recovery of the rig.

Hugh Shaw, the secretary of state’s representative for maritime salvage and intervention, told BBC Alba that it was likely to be several weeks before any attempt to refloat Transocean Winner is made. g The incident has sparked renewed calls for the UK government to reverse its cuts in the nationwide fleet of emergency towing vessels — see page 40.

Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA

Slump sparks rise in crew problems Global seafarer support network says downturn is to blame for 17% increase in welfare casework

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Nautilus has expressed concern at new figures showing a marked increase in seafarer welfare problems — including unpaid wages, bullying and harassment and repatriation and abandonment.

The annual report of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) highlights a 17% increase in casework last year — and warns that crews are paying a heavy price for the downturn in the global shipping industry, with a 27% rise in the number of seafarers being assisted.

ISWAN runs the SeafarerHelp service and the Nautilus 24/7 assistance programme and says that both the number of cases and the number of seafarers helped have more than tripled since 2011.

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Last year, its specialist teams dealt with 2,240 new cases involving a total of 9,786 seafarers of 86 different nationalities.

Part of the growth is the result of increased awareness of the services, ISWAN’s report says, and seafarers also seem to be more confident in raising issues following the introduction of the Maritime Labour Convention.

However, it warns, cost-cutting by owners in response to the industry downturn is the main factor fuelling the increase in complaints from crew members.

‘Unfortunately the economic outlook for 2016 does not look good for the maritime industry and so we expect that it will be a difficult year for seafarers as well,’ it says.

Requests for information was the most common reason for con-

tacting SeafarerHelp during 2015 (17% of cases), followed by failure to pay wages (16%), help with seeking employment (15%) and problems with repatriation (10.5%).

ISWAN said that cases of bullying and harassment increased from 2.8% to 3.8% last year, while problems with living conditions onboard rose from 2.5% to 3%.

Instances of abandonment of ships and seafarers increased from 0.6% to 0.9% of all casework.

The report notes that while such cases might appear numerically small, they indicate that large parts of the shipping industry had a difficult time last year.

‘It seems that some owners and agents tried to keep costs down by cutting corners, and seafarers suffered as a result,’ it adds.

The report suggests that reduc-

tions in the number of seafarers reporting health problems, making claims about compensation and reporting unfair dismissal may be a sign that they are reluctant to raise such problems with employers because of worries about job security.

It also notes that while there is now increased attention being paid to problems of social isolation, stress, depression and mental health, seafarers are often reluctant to mention these when seeking help — again reflecting a concern that it might harm their employment prospects.

‘If such issues are being hidden, they could result in worse situations for both the seafarer and the company, such as a long-term mental health issue, suicide or poor decision-making that puts

the ship or other seafarers at risk,’ the report warns.

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson commented: ‘It is worrying to see an increase in the number of problems being experienced by seafarers and ISWAN is right to warn of the links to cost-cutting by operators. There certainly appears to be strong evidence of a rise in abandonments and unpaid wages, not to mention the increased fragility of the maritime labour market.

‘Taken together with the latest port state control statistics showing a sharp increase in the number of ships with deficiencies related to MLC requirements, it’s clear that the support provided

by SeafarerHelp and Nautilus 24/7 is more important than ever,’ he added.

Inside F Rescue recalled

Daughter tells how her father rescued cadets in Channel 60 years ago — page 24 F Sail and return

Member tells of his 11 months as a skipper in roundthe-world yacht race — page 27

F Centre forward

Is there a future for seafarers’ centres in the new world of modern shipping?

— pages 20-21

17/08/2016 12:08

02 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

NAUTILUS AT WORK

EU ‘should take a lead from US’ Nautilus praises US union for successful campaign to defend aid measures

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European politicians need to look across the Atlantic and take note of the way the United States is protecting its ships and seafarers from unfair foreign competition, Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson has said.

In a speech to the 86th convention of the US Masters, Mates & Pilots Union (MM&P), Mr Dickinson said European seafaring unions have been pressing for an EU equivalent of the US Jones Act, which seeks to ensure that US coastal trade is carried on UScrewed, US-flagged and US-built merchant ships.

‘Shipping services that run between member states should be operated in accordance with the social and employment conditions of one or other of those states,’ he told the conference.

‘Seafarers should be paid at the rates of northern Europe, not of south east Asia.’

Mr Dickinson noted that the Jones Act has helped to maintain a healthy US shipbuilding and repair industry, and has helped to ensure a supply of US seafarers for the country’s marine transportation system, which includes 361 ports, over 3,000 facilities and more than 14,000 domestic vessels.

He praised the US maritime unions for defending the 90-year-old legislation in the face of ‘a remarkable onslaught’ and pointed out that one of the

Maersk Alabama master Captain Richard Phillips meets Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson at the MM&P convention

architects of free market philosophies — Adam Smith — had argued the logic of government support for strategic industries.

‘Back in 1776 he wrote of his support for the retention of the navigation acts, which barred foreignregistered vessels from landing cargoes in British ports, as he felt that the British merchant marine required protection and repealing the acts would allow British shipping companies to be undercut by foreign competitors,’ Mr Dickinson said.

Such logic is still very relevant, he argued, and US seafaring unions have also campaigned to protect the support provided by

the Maritime Security Program and Ready Reserve Force to safeguard a strategic fleet of US merchant ships.

‘In contrast, a kind of collective amnesia descended on British politicians very soon after the Falklands War, with the role of the merchant fleet in the task force disregarded with unseemly haste — so much so that we relied on flag of convenience rustbuckets to transport much of our troops and equipment to the Gulf,’ he pointed out.

The fight by the US unions to protect jobs and safety for tanker escorts in the Prince William Sound has echoes of the Nautilus

campaign against cuts in the UK’s emergency towing vessel service, Mr Dickinson said.

‘Our shared struggles unite us, and there is much we can learn by exchanging experiences, exchanging ideas and leading the debate to protect the interests of our mutual members,’ he added.

‘That’s why the Nautilus Federation is so important. Our common values and common goals can be pursued so much more effectively by closer cooperation.’

Mr Dickinson said the Federation’s membership of 11 likeminded unions is developing initiatives such as the Joint Assistance and Support Network — JASON — which will deliver practical benefits to all members.

It is additionally providing a solid platform to deliver better representation for maritime professionals in high-level forums such as the International Maritime Organisation,’ he added.

The convention was also addressed by Captain Richard Phillips, the master of the containership Maersk Alabama when it was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. He kept the audience transfixed with the story of what happened when the ship was seized and during the four days he was held hostage on a lifeboat.

‘I’m so grateful for what the union has given me,’ said Capt Phillips, an MM&P member for over 37 years. ‘Fair pay for a fair job, every day.’

Full steam ahead for new Wallasey homes apartments for retired F merchant seafarers is now well Work to complete 22 new

underway at the Nautilus Mariners’ Park Estate in Wallasey.

Overlooking the River Mersey, the apartments will form an extension to the 2014-built Trinity House Hub— increasing the number of dwellings there from 18 to 40.

This development has been supported by a significant grant from the maritime charity Seafarers UK, which celebrates its centenary in 2017. The extension will be called the Seafarers UK Centenary Wing, and work should be completed by the end of March 2017.

Inside will be 22 twobedroomed apartments, all

VJ Day tribute to the MN and their families at A Nautilus Mariners’ Park attended Merchant Navy veterans

Members rescue fishing vessel crew adrift off the African coast

Dragon Boat racers to aid cancer fund

on a Dutch-flagged merchant F ship last month rescued the crew of

International’s London head F office are taking to the water this

a fishing boat who had been drifting for 10 days off the coast of Africa after their engine broke down.

Captain Daan Roest and the crew of the 8,999gt Wagenborg general cargoship Anet — which was sailing between the Angolan ports of Lobito and Soyo — went to the aid of the boat on 12 August after spotting its six crew waving self-made flags.

‘The decision was made to turn around,’ Capt Roest told the Telegraph. ‘When the fishing boat was alongside they told us they had engine trouble. Their engine was overheated and when an attempt was made to repair it, they also lost an engine part in the sea.

‘The fishermen told us that they were adrift for 10 days already and that they did not see many other ships,’ he added. ‘In their position they were 37 nautical miles from shore. Luckily, the weather conditions were excellent with almost no wind and a very low swell.’

month to raise money to help children with cancer.

The team of 10 rowers and a coxswain will be taking part in the third annual Ocean and Shipping Community Advancing Children’s Health and Research (OSCAR) Dragon Boat Race on 16 September — and are appealing for further support to secure their £5,000 fund-raising target.

The Nautilus personnel will be competing against more than 20 other teams from the shipping community in the London Docklands event and will be raising funds for the OSCAR charity, which was set up in 2011 with the aim of uniting the shipping industry in supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital’s research work and care for children with cancer. g So far Nautilus staff have raised more than 60% of their target from generous individuals and shipping companies. To donate further, visit: www.justgiving.com/teams/ NautilusDragons.

Nautilus members serving

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Eleven staff from Nautilus

Capt Roest said the decision was made to take the fishermen onboard and to tow their boat to the port of Soyo. ‘Unfortunately we could not make any contact with the Angolan authorities,’ he added.

‘The Netherlands Coastguard and Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade-Gulf of Guinea were informed about the situation and also tried

to contact the Angolan authorities, but they had no luck either. We proceeded to Soyo and gave the men food, drinks and shelter for the night, as well as old coveralls and boots.

‘On arrival in Soyo, the port authority took the fishermen and their boat over from us. In the end, it was a successful rescue with a happy ending for the fishermen.’

designed to meet the needs of retired mariners and expand the range of accommodation offered by the Nautilus Welfare Fund. Each home will include a wet room and call alarm system, and two will be specially set up for wheelchair users.

The communal facilities at the Hub will also be extended by creating a new activities room available to all Mariners’ Park residents. g As with all the accommodation at Mariners’ Park, the new apartments will be available to rent for those who have had a significant career at sea. To find out more about Mariners’ Park and the services available there, visit www. nautiluswelfarefund.org.uk.

commemorations to mark the 71st anniversary of VJ Day on Monday 15 August 2016.

The Union’s Merseyside welfare centre staged the event to pay tribute to the merchant seafarers who were involved in the British and Commonwealth campaign in the Far East — which continued for three months after the Second World War came to an end in Europe.

Mariners’ Park resident Captain Ronald Pengelly — who was awarded both the Burma and Pacific Stars — placed a wreath during

the service, which was held at the Atlantic Memorial Stone outside the Trinity House Hub. The Burma and Pacific Star medals were awarded for operational service during the Burma Campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.

Nautilus welfare services manager Mick Howarth, who conducted the ceremony, paid tribute to Capt Pengelly’s efforts in instigating the annual event in Mariners’ Park to commemorate the role of the Merchant Navy ships in providing vital fuel, food, accommodation and personnel in the Far East conflict: ‘No more shall it be termed the “Forgotten War”,’ said Mr Howarth.

Ship detained in UK after asbestos is discovered support vessel was detained in A the UK port of Portland last month A foreign-flagged offshore

after the Maritime & Coastguard Agency found asbestos in the accommodation areas.

The St Kitts & Nevis-registered standby vessel RSS Cormorant was held for four days after checks found 17 deficiencies onboard, including asbestos fibres, sleeping room and berth dimensions not as required, missing charts and a missing

dangerous goods document of compliance.

The MCA said a survey has indicated the presence of asbestos in the insulation boards in accommodation spaces. 'However, with appropriate measures in place, its presence was considered to be low risk,' a spokeswoman told the Telegraph.

The Agency said it was content that the risks would be effectively managed by the shipping company.

17/08/2016 13:17

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 03

NAUTILUS AT WORK

Inspector works to recover wages Keenan was last month A continuing efforts to recover unpaid Nautilus/ITF inspector Paul

wages for seafarers on an Indianflagged offshore supply vessel detained in the UK port of Great Yarmouth.

The 2,151gt Malaviya Twenty was held by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency after an inspection revealed problems in such areas as minimum safe manning, wages, seafarers’ employment agreements and records of calculation and payment.

Mr Keenan said the crew were owed two months of wages totalling around US$105,000, and he is also seeking to recover a further $172,000 for the wages of the crew that signed off the ship.

‘Most of the crew have now been onboard six months or more, when their contract length was for three months,’ he added.

Sister vessel Malaviya Seven was released from more than seven weeks of detention in the port of Aberdeen when several months of owed wages were paid to the crew last month and repatriation of seafarers with expired employment agreements was arranged.

The case of the two ships — both owned by Mumbai-based GOL Offshore — has prompted calls from MPs for an investigation by the government and effective action to prevent similar cases from occurring in future.

ARCTIC ALARM: environmentalists have expressed concern at the start of a voyage by the 68,870gt cruiseship Crystal Serenity through the Northwest Passage with 1,000 passengers onboard.

The ship is to be accompanied by the UK research vessel Ernest Shackleton, for safety back-up, but the WWF charity accused Crystal Cruises of putting a ‘pristine wilderness’ at risk.

Nautilus/ITF inspector Paul Keenan with seafarers onboard the detained offshore supply vessel Malaviya Twenty in the UK port of Great Yarmouth last month

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson added: ‘The plight of these seafarers underlines all that is wrong with the hands-off approach

taken by the UK to protecting jobs and conditions within its waters.

‘The government must act to eradicate the unfair competition

that this presents — especially at a time when the industry is grappling with the impact of the oil price slump,’ he added.

Union warns as EU report reveals scale of foreign seafarer certification

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OWNERS ATTACKED: Australia’s ports minister has condemned the owners of a bulk carrier whose crew were abandoned off the port of Gladstone last month.

Emergency supplies had to be sent to the 181,383dwt Five Stars Fujian after crew complained of a lack of food and wages unpaid since May. Ports minister Mark Bailey said the ship’s owners had shown ‘heartless and inhumane disregard’ for the 20 Chinese seafarers.

REVALIDATION ALERT: the Australian Maritime Safety Authority is urging seafarers with international qualifications to check the validity of their STCW certificates ahead of the 31 December deadline for the new Manila amendment standards. The Authority warned that ‘a large number’ of seafarers have yet to apply to have their certificates revalidated beyond this date and run the risk of being unable to work.

UK urged to act on CEC ‘torrent’ Nautilus has urged the UK government to crack down on the certificates of equivalent competency (CECs) it gives to foreign officers, after a new report revealed that Britain issues the third highest number in Europe.

Only Malta and Cyprus recognise more certificates issued in non-EU member states than the UK does, a study carried out by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has concluded.

The EMSA report is the first to analyse data on STCW certificates and endorsements provided by EU member states. It shows that, at the end of 2014, there were almost a quarter of a million masters and officers qualified to serve on EU-flagged ships.

EMSA found that 161,419 masters and officers held valid certificates of competency (CoC) issued

by EU member states, while another 86,633 masters and officers hold original CoCs issued by non-EU countries with endorsements issued by EU member states.

The research was carried out

shortreports

in an effort to provide an accurate snapshot of the European maritime labour market to policymakers, shipowners and seafarer training institutions.

The study revealed that six member states — the UK, Poland, France, Croatia, Italy and Spain — account for more than 58% of the total number of masters and officers holding valid EU CoCs. Twenty member states — including the Netherlands — registered fewer than 10,000 masters and officers each. Seven — Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Malta, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary — had fewer than 1,000.

Of those with EU CoCs, 99,702 were in the deck department, 66,387 in the engine department and 743 had alternative certification. In six member states, the majority of deck officers were qualified to serve as masters and almost 62% of all engineer officers were entitled to serve at management level on ships of 3,000kW or more.

Overall, just over 11.7% of the 244,481 officers qualified to work on EU ships are Filipino nation-

als. Ukraine is the second highest officer supply nation, accounting for almost 7.9% of the total, with Poland in third place (almost 7%), India fourth with 6.65% and the UK fifth with 6.25%. The Netherlands was ranked in 17th place, supplying around 2.2% of officers.

The research showed the relatively high age profile of the EU seafaring workforce — with the average age of CoC holders being 43.8 years. Only two member states — Greece and Ireland — had an average age of less than 35.

Barely 2% of the officers were female and only four member states — Germany, Spain, Finland and Malta — had more than 4% of women in their totals of masters and officers. Germany, France, Spain and the UK together accounted for almost 60% of the CoCs issued to women officers.

EMSA said 14,722 masters and officers from 103 non-EU countries were found to have CoCs issued by EU member states — and almost 91% of these were issued by the UK. Cyprus, Malta, the UK, Denmark, Luxembourg and the

Netherlands accounted for just over 86% of the endorsements attesting to recognition (EaRs) of masters and officers with certificates from other countries.

The Philippines, Ukraine and the Russian Federation were the top three countries with officers being granted EaRs by EU member states.

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson commented: ‘EMSA is to be commended for its work to provide definitive and accurate statistics on the European maritime skills base. For too long, the data has been hit and miss and has not served the industry or regulators well.

‘The scale of certificates of equivalent competency being issued is truly shocking and the figures show how this is eroding the seafaring skills base in countries like the UK and the Netherlands,’ he added. ‘In the weeks to come, Nautilus will be intensifying its efforts to get better controls on the CEC system and to put a stop to the way in which it fuels the creation of a pool of cheap labour.’

WRECKS APPEAL: experts at Historic England have urged the public to be on the lookout for shipwrecks — pointing out that as many as 40,000 more are still to be discovered around the coast. The appeal was issued after three wrecks in Devon were given protected status last month, preventing metal detector users and salvage brokers from plundering them.

LNG PROSPECTS: despite the current weaknesses in LNG shipping rates, the long-term outlook for the sector is good and the market will require more vessels than listed on the current orderbook, according to a new report from industry analysts Drewry. An extra 65 LNG carriers may be needed to cope with projected demand by 2020, it says.

JAIL THREAT: two Italian engineer officers are facing up to five years in jail in the US after they admitted dumping oily waste at sea from the tanker Cielo di Milano. Girolamo Curatolo and Danilo Maimone pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to violations of pollution prevention law and also face fines of up to $250,000.

CRUISE CALL: the US Coast Guard has asked cruiseship companies to provide information about the steps they have taken to fit ‘man overboard’ detection systems to their vessels. The Coast Guard hopes to develop international standards for the technology and is particularly interested in the cost of the equipment.

MED RESCUE: the Norwegian offshore support vessel Siem Pilot rescued 296 people from an overcrowded fishing boat in the Mediterranean last month. Of the 296 people onboard the stricken craft, 73 were children. Most of the migrants, who were suffering from dehydration, were from Sudan and Egypt.

SURCHARGE FIGHT: the Global Shipper Forum has launched a plan to end the imposition of shipping surcharges within the next five years. It has warned shipping lines that it will conduct ‘a series of actions that will expose the scale and injustice of the practice to world trade bodies’.

SOYA WARNING: a leading P&I club has warned shipowners and masters to take more care with soya bean cargoes. The North P&I Club issued the warning in response to a series of high-value claims after cargoes of soya beans had been ‘cooked’ at sea because they had self-heated.

NORTHERN FREEZE: fares on the Northern Isles ferry services will be frozen in 2017 while the Scottish government continues to work towards its aim of cutting ticket prices, transport and islands minister Humza Yousaf announced last month.

17/08/2016 17:43

04 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

NAUTILUS AT WORK

shortreports BOSKALIS PROTEST: Nautilus International lobbied a shareholder meeting at the Dutch dredging and marine construction firm Royal Boskalis Westminster last month over plans to cut 650 jobs. Shareholders attending the extraordinary meeting at the company’s head office in Papendrecht, Netherlands, were handed an open letter asking them to take their ‘social responsibility’ obligations seriously. The protest was organised by Nautilus, the Dutch union FNV Waterbouw and employees of Fairmount Marine, Dredging Boskalis and Smit Salvage, who are all likely to be affected by the cuts.

BREXIT WARNING: UK employers need to do more to engage with workers on the likely effect of Brexit on their organisation. This was the message last month from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), which says that many employees are feeling pessimistic about the future and insecure in their jobs. A CIPD survey of just over 1,000 working adults found 44% felt pessimistic about the future and 22% felt less secure in their job as a result of the Brexit vote.

NERC REVIEW: negotiations on the 2015 pay and conditions review for members employed by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) on ships operated

by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are due to reconvene in London on 14 October. Members rejected an offer worth a minimum 1% and industrial organiser Lisa Carr has asked them to provide any supporting information they wish to be raised before the meeting date.

MAERSK MEETING: members employed by Maersk Offshore (Bermuda) and Maersk Offshore (Guernsey) (IDO CBA container vessels) have been advised that the next Partnership at Work meeting will take place in September. Members are being invited to send relevant issues to be discussed — email: kjones@ nautilusint.org. No fixed date has yet been set for the meeting.

SEATRUCK LIAISON: a new liaison officer for members employed by Seaway Manning Services (Guernsey) onboard Seatruck Power has been appointed. Michael Atkinson took up the role at the start of August and will serve until 31 May 2019. The Union is seeking further liaison officers for eight other vessels in the fleet.

TRINITY CLAIM: a claim seeking an above-RPI inflation increase for members employed by Trinity House has been submitted by Nautilus. In addition to the claim, the Union has requested discussions on issues including recruitment, retention, and pay scale differentials.

THAMES CALL: members serving with Thames Clippers have been asked to submit their views on the contents of the forthcoming pay and conditions claim.

Ex Tax Inspector at Cardiff Marine - 30 years experience with seafarers’ tax

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TUC study of sexism at work Report reveals scale of harassment

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Nearly two-thirds of young women have experienced sexual harassment in UK workplaces, a TUC survey has revealed.

Researchers from the TUC and the Everyday Sexism Project found that 52% of women had experienced unwanted behaviour at work — including groping, sexual advances and inappropriate jokes. Among women and girls aged 16-24, the proportion reporting sexual harassment rose to 63%.

The findings — described by the TUC as the biggest study of its kind for a generation — were published in a joint report, entitled Still Just a Bit of Banter?

The research showed that nearly one in three women have been subject to unwelcome jokes of a sexual nature while at work, whilst more than one in four have been the subject of comments of a sexual nature about their body or clothes at work.

Nearly a quarter of women have experienced unwanted touching — like a hand on the knee or lower back at work — and a fifth have experienced unwanted verbal sexual advances at work.

Around one in eight said that they have experienced unwanted sexual touching or attempts to kiss them at work.

Four out of five women said they did not report the incidents to their employers, with many fearing that it would harm their relationships at work or that they would not be taken seriously.

In the vast majority of cases (88%), the perpetrator of the sexual harassment was male, and

nearly one in five women reported that it was their line manager, or someone with direct authority over them.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: ‘How many times do we still hear that sexual harassment in the workplace is just a bit of “banter”?

‘Let’s be clear — sexual harassment is undermining, humiliating and can have a huge effect on mental health,’ she added.

‘Victims are often left feeling ashamed and frightened. It has no place in a modern workplace, or in wider society.’

She said employers should have a clear zero-tolerance attitude to sexual harassment and treat any complaint seriously.

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said: ‘Women have every right to work in a safe and secure work place — both on land and at sea — so it is incredibly disheartening to read reports like this one from the TUC that show this intolerable behaviour is still rife.

‘Nautilus has raised these concerns for a number of years at UK, European and international level and we have produced guidelines and training materials to help combat the issue. These guidelines have now been incorporated into the Maritime Labour Convention,’ he pointed out.

‘It’s clear from the TUC’s own work that the issue has not been eradicated from the workplace and we must continue to raise awareness amongst our members and shipping companies about impact of such behaviour on the maritime industry.’

Lisa Carr is pictured above with F MBNA Thames Clippers HR business Nautilus industrial organiser

partner James Burr (left), finance director Scott Eames (second right) and chief operating officer Geoff Symonds (right).

The meeting at the company’s office in London included a presentation on the performance of the business so far in 2016 and reviewed its team’s bonus mechanism, which Nautilus helped

introduce at the start of the year.

Discussions were also held on the latest digital training material and platforms.

Thames Clippers has stated its commitment to development from within the business and has already made 33 internal promotions this year. f For more about opportunities available at MBNA Thames Clippers, visit www.thamesclippers.com/ careers.

Union visits DFDS ships national ferry organiser Micky F Smyth (second left) and senior Pictured above are Nautilus

assistant organiser Danny McGowan (right) with members James Lloyd (left) and Tom Peacock (third left) during one of a series of ship visits made earlier this month.

The pair visited members

employed by DFDS onboard Delft Seaways and Dunkerque Seaways on 3 August 2016, as well as Dover Seaways on 4 August 2016. During the visits, Mr Smyth introduced himself as the official now responsible for DFDS members’ terms and conditions and collected aspirations about annual leave entitlements.

Strike numbers fall to an all-time low level

To find out about advertising opportunities in the Telegraph contact: Joe Elliott-Walker T: 020 7880 6217 E: joe.elliott-walker@ redactive.co.uk

Thames training talks

went on strike in Britain last year F was the lowest recorded in more than The number of workers that

Heyn tables revised pay offer A

Nautilus industrial organiser Lisa Carr is pictured above visiting members onboard RV Corystes before a pay review meeting in Belfast for members employed by Heyn Engineering Solutions.

Following the discussions, the company tabled a revised package, maintaining the original pay offer of 0.5% — but proposing to increase

the Christmas bonus from £100 to £150 if the 0.5% offer is accepted.

Members are now being consulted on the proposals and the results should be known by the end of August. The company has also agreed to Nautilus having two liaison officers to represent members employed by the company and serving onboard Corystes.

120 years, according to official figures released last month.

Government data showed that just 81,000 workers were involved in strike action in 2015, down from 733,300 in 2014 and the smallest number since records began in 1893.

There were 106 strikes last year — less than half the total of 1995 and one-twentieth of the number in 1975.

Around 60% of the strikes lasted no more than three days and two-thirds related to pay.

TUC general secretary Frances

O’Grady commented: ‘These figures show that going on strike is always a last resort when your employer won’t negotiate and won’t compromise.

Strikes are far less common these days and tend to be short.

‘Most strikes are about people demanding fair pay, which is unsurprising given that real wages have fallen off a cliff in the past decade,’ she added.

‘Good industrial relations depend on fair wages and decent rights at work,’ Ms O’Grady pointed out. ‘The new prime minister has spoken about raising wages — now it’s time to live up to that promise.’

17/08/2016 17:44

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 05

NAUTILUS AT WORK

UK plan to tackle slavery on ships Union welcomes new legal powers but warns that ‘real resources’ are vital

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Nautilus International has given a guarded welcome to UK government plans to tackle substandard working conditions at sea by enforcing the provisions of the Modern Slavery Act, which came into force on 8 August.

Home Office minister Sarah Newton said the new powers will enable officers from the police, the Border Force and the National Crime Agency to board and search merchant ships and fishing vessels in cases where modern slavery is suspected of taking pace.

Law enforcement officers will also be empowered to intercept

vessels, seize evidence and arrest offenders, and rescue victims from ships in UK waters.

Offenders could face life imprisonment if found guilty of charges under the Act. Announcing the moves, the government said it had identified 37 potential victims of modern slavery who reported exploitation in the maritime industry between 2013 and 2014.

‘Modern slavery is a crime that rips victims from their families, trapping them in a cycle of abuse at the hands of ruthless gangs,’ Ms Newton said. ‘Officers from the Shetlands to the Isles of Scilly now

have the power to arrest offenders and protect victims from this abhorrent crime, whether onboard a ship or on our shores.’

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson commented: ‘It’s good to see that the government has recognised that the problem exists. Too often, the exploitation of seafarers and fishers exists out of sight and out of mind of the authorities.

‘However, it is essential that the government commits real resources and proper staffing to support the enforcement of the law,’ he added.

‘We’ve seen the struggle to get

effective policing of the National Minimum Wage and work permit regulations in the maritime sector, and we will certainly need a lot more than warm words if the sort of deep-rooted injustices identified by the government are to be properly dealt with.’

The government says any victims discovered by the law enforcement agencies will be brought to the mainland and will be able to access tailored care and support through the National Referral Mechanism, as part of a national care and coordination contract administered by the Salvation Army.

shortreports SERCO REJECTION: members employed by Serco Ferries (Guernsey) Crewing have voted to reject the company’s proposed new terms and conditions. The consultation followed extended talks between the Union and the company, which began in 2013. National ferry organiser Micky Smyth will now hold discussions with the Union’s head of organising Garry Elliott and head of legal services Charles Boyle before issuing a further update to members. The company has been advised of the outcome of the consultation exercise.

FLEET FEEDBACK: Nautilus is urging members employed by Fleet Maritime Services (Bermuda) as deck and technical officers onboard Cunard and P&O Cruises vessels to provide feedback to their representatives before the next pay and conditions meeting. Industrial organiser Paul Schroder said he is expecting a formal offer to be made soon, following further talks on ‘time for time’ working based on a 12 week-on/12 week-off model and a commitment to a one-year pay deal and reducing the 243-day contract length.

TUC MOTIONS: Nautilus delegates will be moving motions at this year’s Trades Union Congress in Brighton addressing the subjects of jobs, skills and the future in the shipping industry and the challenges posed by increased automation in the workplace. The Union will warn the conference of the continued decline in the UK maritime skills base, exacerbated in the past year by the loss of thousands of jobs in the North Sea. RFA SETTLEMENT: the 2015 Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) pay negotiations have been settled by Nautilus after consultations with members showed that 88% did not wish to be balloted on taking some form of industrial action in an effort to improve the 1% offer. National secretary Steve Doran will very shortly be communicating with members in respect of the 2016 pay award.

Clockwise from top left: Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson and national ferry organiser Micky Smyth meet members onboard Pride of Hull, Pride of York (engineroom), Pride of York (deck), and Pride of Bruges

CALMAC PAY: Caledonian Macbrayne management were set to hold two days of talks with officials and representatives from Nautilus, RMT, Unite and TSSA in the last week of August. National ferry organiser Micky Smyth said the meetings would discuss issues including the 2016/17 pay award, which comes into force on 1 October 2016.

ORKNEY TALKS: senior management from Orkney Ferries were due to meet officials and representatives from Nautilus, Unite and RMT in Kirkwall on 23 August to discuss issues relating to the Precious Alliance report into salaries and leave entitlements in the ferry sector.

STENA LIAISON: Nautilus is seeking volunteers to serve as Stena Line liaison officers, representing colleagues serving on the Holyhead/Dublin and Harwich routes.

Nautilus officials stage P&O North Sea visits Mark Dickinson and national F ferry organiser Micky Smyth are Nautilus general secretary

pictured with members employed by P&O Ferries during a series of ship visits last month.

The Union officials met members onboard the P&O North Sea ferries

Pride of York, Pride of Hull, Pride of Rotterdam and Pride of Bruges on 10 and 11 August.

During the visits they discussed issues including the aftermath of the Brexit referendum vote, the forthcoming Nautilus UK branch conference in Cardiff, and the

training, recruitment and retention of maritime professionals. The recent announcement of £8m of investment to extend the lifespan of the Hull-Zeebrugge service vessels Pride of Bruges and Pride of York was also discussed.

‘It’s always good to meet

members in their workplace and these visits provided a valuable opportunity to get feedback from those at the sharp end, as well as to discuss the work the Union is doing to meet the current challenges facing the shipping industry,’ Mr Dickinson said.

The Tube, 86 North Street Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 8RA

DELIVERY WORLDWIDE

Members thanked for handling disruption made by all members serving on P&O Ferries F has been issued following disruption at the Port of A letter of thanks for the ‘tremendous efforts’

Dover in July.

Customers looking to board ferries for France faced up to 12 hours of delays over the weekend of 23-24 July following staffing issues in French border control operations.

In a letter to staff, P&O Ferries chief executive Helen Deeble said she was proud of their contribution to manage customers’ expectations on

04-05_at work.indd 5

the ground during the busiest weekend of the year.

‘The scenes which we saw at the weekend at the port of Dover, with holidaymakers delayed for completely unacceptable lengths of time, must never be allowed to happen again,’ she added. ‘Increased security checks at the border are completely understandable, but the French authorities must provide adequate numbers of staff to ensure that these checks can be processed quickly and efficiently.

‘We at P&O Ferries did everything we could to

keep passengers moving on the English Channel, providing extra sailings and staff on duty. We would nevertheless like to apologise to the passengers whose holidays were affected and assure them that we will be talking to the British and French authorities this week to ensure that there is no repetition of this disruption.’

Nautilus national ferry organiser Micky Smyth said members had displayed expertise and professionalism in the face of the pressures faced in such busy periods, particularly on the shortsea route.

Q Braids Q Work Wear Q Tropical Wear Q Cadet Uniforms Q Officers Uniforms

17/08/2016 17:44

06 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

OFFSHORE NEWS

shortreports

Aberdeen consultancy wins ERRV contracts

TECHNIP LAY-UP: Nautilus has been advised that Technip (Singapore) plans to place the Apache II in cold lay-up following the completion of current work at the end of August. The company has advised the Union that it will utilise members employed onboard elsewhere in the fleet where possible. National secretary Steve Doran welcomed the company’s commitment to avoid redundancies, but said he remains concerned by the increasing number of lay-ups within the fleet.

OCEAN REDUCTION: members employed by Ocean Supply (Guernsey) have voted to accept proposals for a 3% reduction in salary and a 3% reduction in employer’s pension contributions. The offer was imposed on members after they initially rejected the same terms during a July consultation. The company stated it had no choice but to implement the reduction in the August payroll to help avoid the chances of reducing its ability to win contracts.

SENTINEL ADDITION: Aberdeen-based Sentinel Marine has taken delivery of the first in a series of four new multi-role emergency response and rescue vessels (ERRVs). Built by Cosco Dalian Shipyard in China, the Focal 531 ERRV Portland Sentinel, the 62m vessel has what is described as ‘a uniquely designed daughter craft’ and is being deployed on a long-term charter with Statoil UK in the North Sea. DEEP CUTS: members employed by Deep Ocean (Guernsey) are being balloted on a 5.5% salary reduction for 12 months. Members have already rejected a proposed 5.5% pay cut and are now being asked to consider a temporary compensation reduction equating to 5.5% of the sum of basic salary, seniority and subsea allowance where the reduction will be deducted from the subsea allowance.

NKOSSA UPDATE: Nautilus is seeking an update on ongoing pay talks for members employed by Maersk Offshore (Guernsey) and serving on Nkossa II. National secretary Steve Doran has said he is ‘frustrated’ by the lack of progress, but has assured members that the Union will continue to press for a response.

DELIVERIES DUE: owners have taken delivery of almost 100 new offshore support vessels so far this year, a new report has revealed. Figures published by the UK firm VesselsValues suggest that around 500 OSVs with a total value of almost US$7bn will be delivered this year.

CONSOLIDATION CALL: the head of the support vessel firm Solstad Offshore has called for more consolidation within the industry following an agreement to merge with Rem Offshore. Lars-Peter Solstad said there was a strong case to end the fragmentation within the sector.

SEACOR TALKS: Nautilus was due to meet Seacor Marine (Guernsey) management late last month to discuss a pay claims for members serving on BPOS vessels. Whilst the company has stated that it will not consider any increases in pay this year, it was willing to meet.

signed two major contractors F to provide emergency response

A marine consultancy firm has

and rescue vessel (ERRV) risk assessments in the North Sea. Aberdeen-based Seacroft Marine Consultants earn around £1m from the contracts with BP and Centrica E&P. The company says the work will provide further security for its 15 staff and around 50 contractors.

The BP contract — for a threeyear term with two additional oneyear options — is for the provision of ERRV assurance services in the region. The Centrica deal, for the same services, will run for five years with three one-year options.

Seacroft will advise operators

Seacroft Marine Consultants directors Jennifer Fraser and Michael Cowlam

on the suitability of ERRVs based on its experience in the field. It

is also involved in the continual development and updating of the

UKCS accident rate declines

Oil & Gas UK/ERRVA management guidelines and ERRV survey guidelines.

Michael Cowlam, Seacroft’s technical director, said: ‘We are delighted to have secured these new contracts with BP and Centrica, which are a very positive reflection on the knowledge and experience we have within our team. It also underlines our ability to deliver cost-effective solutions without compromising on the highest standards of safety, which is always our prime focus.’

Seacroft was launched in 1995

by Captain Roderick MacSween and has been owned and operated by the founder’s daughter, Jennifer Fraser, and Mr Cowlam since 2004.

North Sea action is halted for new talks maintenance workers in the F North Sea was suspended last month Industrial action by some 400

Nautilus warns against complacency on safety figures

P

Safety on the UK Continental Shelf is continuing to improve, according to figures released last month — with reportable injury rates down, and no fatalities reported in 2015.

The 2016 Oil & Gas UK Health & Safety Report points out that injury rates have now fallen below those found in manufacturing, construction, retail and education. And the lost time injury frequency rate on the UKCS was below the European average and lower than Norway, Denmark and Ireland.

The category of dangerous occurrences — which captures oil and gas releases, fires or explosions, dropped objects and weather damage — was also down overall, recording almost a 30% fall between 2013 and 2015.

There has, however, been a 9% rise in releases, to 87 in 2015.

However, the majority were classified as minor, with three reported as major — the same number as the previous year — and the report suggests the overall increase could to some degree reflect new reporting criteria and the increased use of technology that can detect the smallest of escapes.

Mick Borwell, the health, safety and environment policy director at Oil & Gas UK, said that the favourable performance on personal safety reflected well on the sector and its ongoing efforts to manage and control hazards.

‘This is a testing time for the industry and our commitment to safety has, at times, been questioned,’ he added. ‘However, our report demonstrates that safe

operations continue to be intrinsic to how we go about our activities on the UK Continental Shelf, regardless of the oil price.’

Nautilus professional and technical assistant David Appleton commented: ‘Nautilus welcomes the reduction in accident figures.

‘However, it must be borne in mind that these statistics cover the period before potentially dangerous new working practices, including increased rotations, were imposed on the workforce with no research undertaken into their impact on health, safety and wellbeing,’ he added.

‘It is imperative that the industry does not allow complacency to set in and that the impact of cuts and changes to working conditions are kept under constant review.’

to enable more talks to be held in an effort to end a dispute over pay and conditions on Shell’s North Sea assets.

The RMT and Unite unions halted a series of stoppages after an agreement with the Wood Group — which provides maintenance services for eight Shell platforms — that talks would take place from Monday 15 August. The dispute follows proposed reductions of between 10% and 30% in workers’ pay.

A joint statement said: ‘All parties recognise that the challenges we are facing in the North Sea are both real and serious and there is acceptance that change is required and will happen.’

The industrial action is the first in the North Sea for almost 30 years and Nautilus had advised its members serving on offshore support vessels in the region to beware of attempts to use agency staff to undermine strike action.

Dutch builder unveils concept vessel for offshore decommissioning work developed designs for a A new state-of-the-art offshore A Dutch shipbuilder has

SHORT TRAINING COURSES: STARTING SOON The Scottish Maritime Academy offers seafarers the opportunity to develop and learn new skills in a purpose built training centre overlooking the Aberdeenshire port of Peterhead. Class sizes are small, allowing lecturers to offer as much or as little support as required.

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06_offshore.indd 6

decommissioning vessel that would be able to lift over half the platforms in the North Sea. Damen Shipyards Group says its Decommissioning Series concept vessel would be able to assist with topside decommissioning, offshore platform removal, and subsea cleaning and removal.

The design is based on in-house research carried out by one of Damen’s undergraduate interns — Justin Rietveld — who is studying maritime technology at the Rotterdam Mainport University of Applied Sciences and was investigating the potential niche markets for new vessel designs in the oil and gas decommissioning sector.

‘This research started off with the idea of developing a decommissioning vessel based on

Damen’s existing portfolio,’ explains Mr Rietveld.

‘However, we soon found out that this market needs more.

For example, there are many different activities within the decommissioning sector. This vessel can support a vast number of those.

We have developed a concept to cover the bigger part of this new and exciting market.’

The vessel’s monohull design has a split stern that will be used during platform removal operations and the design proposes a range of modular add-ons to increase the ship’s functionality.

Preliminary estimates of the vessel’s capabilities show that it will be able to perform decommissioning of fixed platforms of up to 1,600 tonnes in weight.

17/08/2016 16:35

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 07

NEWS

Coastal security alert from MPs Union says government should use offshore vessels to plug gaps in cover

P

CalMac offers school students a chance to experience work as a marine engineer Kennedy and Ryan McGregor A — two of the first students to Pictured above are Owen

have taken the opportunity to gain engineering experience in a link-up between the ferry operator Caledonian Macbrayne and schools in Inverclyde.

The innovative 18-month training course has been launched in response to requests from school students who want to complete their school education, but do not wish to focus on university.

This is the first year that the programme has been available and CalMac, along with engineeringrelated firms including Ferguson Marine Engineering, Rolls Royce, and James Fisher Defence, has stepped forward to provide work placements.

The course trains participants in areas including health and safety and risk assessment, as well as key engineering skills.

Owen and Ryan spend two afternoons a week at CalMac’s workshops in Gourock, and also attend West of Scotland College for further practical tuition — all fitted in around their regular school curriculum commitments.

With a grandfather who worked at both Ferguson’s and Kincaid’s shipyards, Owen, who lives in Greenock, was keen to follow his footsteps into the marine industry and would like to specialise in mechanical engineering

‘This is a great opportunity to learn more about the industry itself and to get some more knowledge,’ he said. ‘I like to know how things work and, therefore, when I heard about this opportunity I was thrilled and was happy to apply.’

Ryan is particularly interested in electrical engineering and sees this opportunity as a good balance of practical work and college studies.

‘I enjoy being able to get hands-on work experience done,’ he said. ‘I feel many other kids my age don’t get opportunities like this one. I’d much rather do something with my hands than read a textbook and this allows me to do that whilst learning skills that will be for life.’

‘We are extremely pleased with the commitment, drive, enthusiasm and willingness shown by both Owen and Ryan,’ said CalMac’s technical director Peter Breslin.

‘They are very quick to learn and have been listening carefully to instruction, help and tips from our workshop engineering staff.

‘Both are a credit to their school and their families. More than anything, though, they both really enjoy it — they are an absolute pleasure to have onboard with us here at CalMac,’ he added.

‘Our staff are learning from them, too — they had ideas for annotating technical photos on the computer and the two lads have asked whether they can help by showing them how to do that.’

Nautilus International has welcomed a Parliamentary report warning that the UK Border Force has a ‘worryingly low’ number of vessels to patrol the country’s coastline.

The Union has urged ministers to consider using laid-up offshore support vessels and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships to ensure there is effective security in UK waters after MPs voiced alarm at the current level of cover.

A report from the home affairs select committee, which followed a year-long inquiry, expressed concern that there are just three Border Force cutter vessels available to patrol the 7,723 miles of UK coastline.

By contrast, Italy has 600 ships to cover 4,722 miles of coast, the Netherlands has 16 to cover 280 miles, Spain has 147 for just over 3,000 miles, and Greece has 240 vessels for almost 8,500 miles.

The report said the Border Force had been given a key role in bolstering maritime security in the UK, but had been experiencing problems because of the size of its fleet. Although there are five Border Force boats, one is on duty in the Mediterranean tackling people smugglers and the other is currently undergoing maintenance.

The Dutch-built UK Border Force vessel HMC Vigilant Picture: Gary Davies/Maritime Photographic

The committee also expressed concern over security in small ports and called for the government to take urgent action to tighten up standards to combat people smugglers and other threats.

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson backed the findings of the report. ‘It is high time that the government realised the impact of years of under-resourcing of the Royal Navy, which is already over-stretched,’ he pointed out. ‘Likewise, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which would have been perfectly placed to provide this type of support. The RN and RFA are reeling from more than 10

years of cutbacks, lack of investment and the consequences of austerity.

‘Nautilus is calling on the government to look to the thousands of offshore workers who have been made redundant and the hundreds of supply boats which are without work because of the downturn in the oil price,’ he added.

‘These vessels, with their British seafarers, could be immediately chartered by the government to strengthen our coastal security — thereby boosting the Border Force in this time of need and giving valuable work to those who need it,’ Mr Dickinson said.

Warsash course to help with ballast water regulations

Tugmen jailed for smuggling

been launched by Warsash F Maritime Academy in a bid to ensure A special two-day course has

that shipping company staff are better prepared to implement the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention when it comes into effect soon.

Aimed at ships’ officers, superintendents, surveyors, vetting inspectors, terminal operators and managers, and enforcement agency personnel, the intensive course covers the requirements of the convention and the measures needed to implement and monitor compliance

A COMPLETE TRAVEL SERVICE FLIGHTS - HOTELS - TRANSFERS - RAIL

Ministers have agreed to provide eight new vessels for the Border Force, but the committee said that only four of these are currently deployed and the remaining four will not be available for more than a year.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz commented: ‘Criminal gangs continue to exploit weaknesses in security at small ports in Britain to illegally transport migrants from the continent. Despite maritime security being critical to an island nation, Border Force is operating worryingly low numbers of vessels to protect our borders. Royal Navy vessels must be used in our sea war against the traffickers.’

with them — providing an overview of differences between certain national regulations and the convention requirements.

It also addresses the main principles — and pitfalls — of available treatment technologies.

The issues of installation, retrofitting and convention compliance are also covered.

Petrochemical senior lecturer and course leader, Captain Nadeem Anwar, said: ‘There are no mandatory training requirements to date.

However, for monitoring purposes, the administrations either have to

organise in-house training or take advantage of the available quality course on this topic.

‘Similarly, the shipping companies need to develop an in-house ability to inform their decision-making regarding the technology to adapt as per the Convention,’ he pointed out.

‘Upon ratification, there will be — as usual — a race against time,’ Capt Anwar warned. ‘Therefore, by attending our course, this is an opportunity to prepare for compliance.’

The first course is due to start on 5 October this year.

were caught with the biggest F haul of cocaine seized in the UK have Two Turkish seafarers who

been jailed for a total of 42 years.

Three tonnes of the Class A drug, with a street value of £500m, was recovered from the ocean-going tug Hamal, about 100 miles off Aberdeen last year. The drugs were found hidden in a specially-adapted ballast tank on the Tanzanian-flagged vessel when it was intercepted by the Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and the Border Force cutter HMC Valiant.

Captain Mumin Sahin and chief mate Emin Ozmen, were jailed for 22 years and 20 years respectively at Glasgow Crown Court last month.

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07_news.indd 7

17/08/2016 12:10

08 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

LARGE YACHT NEWS

UKSA drive to encourage women Deckhand dies in A

Dee Caffari with UKSA ambassadors during Cowes Week last month

A new initiative to encourage more women to take up careers in the yachting industry was launched by one of Britain’s most successful female sailors during Cowes Week last month.

UKSA ‘ambassador’ Dee Caffari unveiled the charity’s Women into Sailing careers programme, which will include bursaries to support the funding of professional sailing courses for women, campaigns to encourage participation in sailing by women, and sailing taster sessions for groups of girls.

Dee — a former PE teacher — started her sailing career by taking a watersports instructor course at the UKSA centre in the Isle of Wight.

This led her on to the Pro-Crew and Skipper Training (PCST) course — now equivalent to the Professional Yachtmaster qualification.

She went on to become the first woman to sail solo around the world the wrong way, non-stop in 2006.

And her sixth place finish in the Vendée Globe in 2009 made her the first woman to sail solo and non-stop in both directions around the globe.

Dee said she was honoured to officially launch UKSA’s Women into Sailing careers programme. ‘I am passionate about helping to advance women in the world of sailing and with this campaign, we can give many females the opportunity to join this fantastic industry,’ she added.

Call for clampdown on crewing agents

pilotage accident

and a deckhand died when they A were trapped between the pilot boat A pilot suffered serious injuries

and the hull of a superyacht in rough seas off Vietnam last year.

An investigation into the accident has concluded that the pilot boarding arrangement provided by the 69m charter yacht Saluzi was not compliant with Safety of Life at Sea Convention requirements.

The accident occurred in July last year when the 1,739gt Saluzi was attempting to embark a pilot outside the port of Haiphong in force 5 to 6 winds and with a swell of 2m to 3m.

The pilot had insisted on a pilot ladder rigged on the port side of the Maltese-flagged vessel, although the yacht’s British captain had advised the use of the vessel’s starboard accommodation ladder.

During a third attempt to use the pilot ladder, the pilot and a deckhand were crushed between the yacht’s hull as the boat moved under the flare of the hull and came up on the crest of a wave. The deckhand fell into the sea and his body was never found.

An investigation by Transport Malta found that aspects of Saluzi’s design conflicted with SOLAS requirements and industry recommendations for pilot transfer arrangements. The embarkation point was not within the midship half-length and parallel body of the vessel’s hull, the rubbing band was in way of the pilot ladder, the curved hull prevented the steps resting firmly against the side, and there were no provisions for hand rails, stanchions or strong points at deck level to fasten the pilot ladder.

Investigators also found that Saluzi’s safety management system provided no procedures for pilot embarkation and neither the managers nor the master had carried out risk assessments for pilot embarkation.

The report calls for managers V Ships Leisure to ensure that Saluzi’s crew members are thoroughly familiar with man overboard drills and Haiphong Port Authority takes a number of steps to improve the safety of pilot boat operations and search and rescue procedures.

Burgess moves It’s Monaco Flag state urged to impose registration to ensure MLC requirements are met into new office show time...

P

Nautilus has backed a call for flag states to impose tighter controls over the operation of crew agencies in the superyacht sector.

The specialist marine insurance intermediary, Seacurus, last month urged more flag states to follow the example of the UK and France in requiring compulsory registration for all providers of seafarer recruitment and placement service (SPRS) in the sector.

Seacurus MD Thomas Brown said registration measures introduced by the French authorities have provided positive clarification for all seafarers placed onboard yachts by French yachting agencies.

However, he admitted, there are still some ‘grey areas’ in the national regulations which are leading to confusion — including the level of requirements to cover unpaid salaries, in

line with Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) requirements.

Mr Brown said the French registration process would take ‘a robust view of the financial wherewithal of the applicant agency’ and whether it had sufficient financial standing to assume the liability for any personal financial losses incurred by seafarers they place onboard yachts.

But some yacht crew agencies may find it difficult to provide confirmation of the financial standing needed to satisfy the authorities, he added, and the French authorities do not appear to have a compulsory requirement for agencies to demonstrate that they have a system of protection — such as insurance — to cover seafarers’ unpaid wages.

Nautilus senior assistant organiser Danny McGowan commented: ‘We welcome meas-

ures that support the increasing professionalisation of the yacht sector and we believe the MLC requirements — which we had a direct role in developing — are explicit.

‘Nautilus would question the motives of some of those who are muddying the waters about the convention, and flag states should take the lead in making sure that the requirements are implemented in the spirit in which they were set.

‘Seafarers —whether they are senior officers, deckhands or interior crew — should not suffer if a yacht owner defaults on their contract,’ he pointed out. ‘That’s one of the reasons why we urge seafarers to join us before such a situation arises — only then can we ensure they receive the full benefits that are afforded to Union members who find themselves in such a situation.’

by Michael Howorth

group Burgess has moved its F head office from Pall Mall to Cunard London-based yacht services

House in nearby Regent Street in response to growth in its business.

The company’s London headquarters provide the full range of superyacht services — including brokerage, charter, charter management, technical services, yacht management, crew services, insurance and marketing.

Burgess has 11 other offices around the world and some 75 of its 180 employees are based in London, including the company’s senior administration and financial staff.

to meet yacht crew attending F this year’s Monaco Yacht Show,

Nautilus officials will be on hand

which kicks off on 28 September. If you would like to meet them on 28 or 29 September, just email yachts@ nautilusint.org to arrange the time and place.

This year’s event — the 26th — runs until 1 October 2016 and is expected to attract more than 34,000 participants from around the world, together with 580 exhibiting companies, and as many as 125 superyachts including 40 new vessels which will be making their world premiere.

Ethical award

Yacht crew join now!

by Michael Howorth

email recruitment@nautilusint.org or call +44 (0)151 639 8454

established to encourage fair, H ethical and transparent behaviour A new award has been

within the superyacht industry.

The Richard Earp Award has been created by Fraser Yachts to provide an annual honour to a yacht broker who has earned respect by demonstrating charisma, style and high professional standards.

The first winner will be announced at the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show.

As part of our growing support for seafarers serving in the large yacht sector, all members are entitled to a free copy of the Nautilus service record book, which has been produced to assist in the recording and calculation of qualifying sea service for the purpose of certification.

Nautilus International works closely with the MCA and regulatory authorities in Europe and around the world, and this SRB is one of only two that the MCA recognises worldwide as evidence of acceptable service. p Once your yacht service is verified O in our office in Antibes, then the MCA accepts the Nautilus SRB as M ssufficient proof of onboard and sea sservice and no further supporting ddocumentation is required. zContact the membership ddepartment either via email or telephone to receive your free SRB. te

08_yachts.indd 8

Constance has 18-month overhaul in the UK port of Falmouth, A has re-launched the 46.3m motor The Pendennis Shipyard,

yacht Constance following a major 18-month overhaul to bring the vessel into compliance with current regulatory requirements including the latest MCA Large Yacht Code.

Originally built by Feadship as Paminusch in 1986, Constance has undergone extensive work — including the replacement of all bridge and engineroom equipment

and systems and the addition of new watertight compartment sub-divisions to improve damage stability.

The yacht was delivered to Falmouth on a cargoship in December 2014 and entered the yard’s 90m No 1 hall in March 2015 after preparatory refit work. At that time Constance still retained many of her original 30-year old systems and engineroom equipment, and a surveyor’s report made the boat

uninsurable. The refit therefore aimed to ensure that the structural integrity of the vessel — which can accommodate up to 12 passengers and 10 crew — complied with offshore cruising requirements and would also meet latest emission regulations.

Insulation was improved throughout and tanking systems refabricated as necessary, while the owner’s, guests’ and crew areas were also extensively upgraded.

17/08/2016 12:11

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 09

NEWS

App will assist chart updates this month to help seafarers F update paper charts. The Vasco App A new app is being launched

from Da Gama Maritime (DGM) can be downloaded to tablet computers, and provides chart corrections, tracings, blocks and notices.

DGM managing director Steve Monk commented: ‘We appreciate there are other chart correction software packages already available, but it became apparent to us that many of them are overcomplicated and bombard the mariner with more functionality than they need or want.’

The existing packages can also be costly, he added, and cannot be downloaded to tablets. ‘Our app provides a much more economical solution with reduced download times, lower software costs and less time spent correcting the outfit.’

The Vasco App has been accepted by the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) as meeting the standards to provide official paper chart corrections, but the developers deliberately avoided incorporating any of the UKHO’s Admiralty Digital Publications because

the aim is to keep the information tightly focused.

‘We wanted to develop a product which gives the mariner just what they need to update their paper chart outfit without the addition of numerous other services which are provided already by the UKHO,’ said Mr Monk.

‘At the same time, we’ve also built the app in such a way it allows shore management accessibility to the chart outfit status of any of their vessels at any time without having to request the information from sea.’

The app allows charts to be moved freely from UKHO to custom folios and vice versa, logged as dormant or ashore, and for the shore-side correcting department to access the vessel’s outfit and record corrections completed when the charts are returned onboard.

‘No software has to be mailed to the ship or engineer sent to install it,’ Mr Monk pointed out. To use the Vasco App, seafarers download it for free from Apple iTunes or the Google Play store and then set up a subscription through DGM.

Model fleet addition for ship handling centre Southampton Solent University’s Timsbury A Lake ship handling centre — is pictured above.

Nigeria LNG — the newest ship in the fleet at

The new 1:25 scale vessel has been built to support training in the handling of six new 175,000 cu m LNG carriers built in South Korea for

Nigeria NLG Ltd. The full-sized twin-screw, dualfuel vessels are 293m long.

The 1:25 scale model is 11.68m long and weighs 7.837 tonnes. It has two fixed inward turning propellers, two independent rudders, and is fitted with operating anchors and a water

ballast system to allow for alterations of trim or draught replicating different load conditions.

Built in South Korea, Nigeria LNG will be used for training senior navigation officers from the Bonny Gas Transport fleet, as well as Bonny river pilots.

PSC campaign on Service to refresh ECDIS knowledge MLC compliance

Ltd has launched a new service F providing annual electronic chart

The UK-based training firm ECDIS

system refresher updates for bridge teams.

The company’s ECDIS Annual Competency Assurance Training (ACAT) service has been developed with the aim of ensuring that navigation officers are kept up to date, regardless of which of the many systems offered by the 38 different ECDIS manufacturers that they use.

It also aims to familiarise officers with any changes to the make and model of the ECDIS onboard their ships and to refresh their understanding of the key functions for safe navigation, key menus and operational capability of the system.

The training has been produced in conjunction with the top 20 questions used for ECDIS audit inspections and the inspectors’ ECDIS course, both developed by the company, and seeks to ensure that bridge teams are prepared for port state control or an independent audit or inspection.

The service costs £200 per hull, per year, regardless of the number of officers or annual turnover of crew.

It has been developed in response to concerns raised by audits — with cases in which some officers were found to lack knowledge of basic ECDIS safety features or how to recover past data from systems — as well as incidents such as the grounding of the chemical tanker Ovit in the Channel in 2013, which was blamed on poor training and inadequate knowledge of ECDIS. George Ward, project support manager for ECDIS ACAT, said the service should help companies remain compliant in annual assessments and to keep pace with the constantly evolving software from all the manufacturers worldwide.

‘This product also allows the ship manager or operator to have positive control over their officers’ annual competency assurance with regards to ECDIS, which in turn would reduce their training safety matrix for navigating with ECDIS,’ he added.

Three-month programme to check on Maritime Labour Convention rules

P

Nautilus has welcomed the decision to stage a special three-month concentrated port state control inspection campaign to check on compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

Starting on 1 September, inspectors in the countries belonging to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on port state control will be carrying out special detailed checks to ensure that living and working conditions are in line with the so-called ‘bill of rights’ for seafarers.

PSC officers will be using a 12-point checklist to ensure that the required certificates and documentation are present — in particular those related to the seafar-

ers onboard. The will also seek to verify records of the inspections of the accommodation, food and catering, and whether a safety committee has been established.

It is expected that 4,500 ships will be inspected in the area during the three-month campaign.

Paris MOU secretary general Richard Schiferli stated: ‘Working and living conditions onboard have always been a prime area of attention. With the introduction of the MLC enforcement opportunities have greatly improved.

Three years after the entry into force, the time is right to focus on the MLC during a concentrated inspection campaign.’

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson commented:

‘There was a 15% increase in MLCrelated deficiencies in the Paris MOU region last year and, in the current economic climate, it is good news that inspections will be focussing on seafarers’ working conditions.’ z Amendments to the MLC which seek to provide better protection to seafarers and their families in cases of abandonment and workplace accidents have been agreed by the International Labour Organisation.

The changes are due to come into effect on 18 January 2017 and will require that a financial security system be put in place to ensure that compensation can be paid to seafarers and their families in the event of abandonment, death

or long-term disability due to an occupational injury, illness or hazard. z A concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing arrangements is to be staged by the 25 members of the Black Sea and Tokyo MOUs on port state control between September and December this year. The initiative aims to check compliance with SOLAS convention requirements, to ensure that seafarers are familiar with are familiar with relevant equipment and documents and identify and understand the hazards associated with cargo securing operations, and to raise awareness of safe practices for cargo securing.

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17/08/2016 16:34

10 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

NEWS

Bulker’s crew detained as ‘mutiny’ grounding is investigated into an incident in which a bulk A carrier was reported to have run Investigations are continuing

aground after a seafarer attacked other crew members before locking himself in the engineroom, damaging machinery, and causing the ship to lose propulsion.

The Liberian-flagged Benita was refloated last month more than five weeks after grounding on Le Bouchon reef, off Mahebourg, Mauritius, while sailing between India and South Africa — but sank while under tow

to be scrapped at Alang. The Five Oceans Salvage firm said the vessel had turned over by the stern after developing a severe stern trim five days into the voyage, prompting the tug Ionian Sea FOS to use the tow line quick release.

Fr Jacques-Henri David, the Apostleship of the Sea chaplain in Port Louis, has been providing support and assistance to the 22 seafarers, who were still awaiting repatriation last month, while another crew member

remained in custody and was said to be cooperating with police investigations.

‘Their condition can be summed up in one word: anxiety,’ said Fr David. ‘They are desperate to go back home and the delay just adds to stress and worries.’

The seafarers have been receiving a third of their salaries and a small allowance, he added, and their families are struggling to pay off loans and manage day–to–day household bills.

US urged to act on shore leave Survey finds 10% of visiting seafarers are unable to leave their vessels in port

P

Fresh calls for the United States to relax its hard line approach to seafarer shore leave have been made following a new report showing that more than 10% of visiting crew members are unable to leave their vessels.

The annual survey carried out by the Seamen’s Church Institute’s (SCI) Centre for Seafarers’ Rights in May this year found that almost a quarter of ships had at least one seafarer onboard who had been denied shore leave.

During the survey week, maritime ministry representatives visited 475 ships in 29 US ports and 203 terminals. The vessels visited had 10,283 crewmembers onboard representing approximately 55 nationalities, and chap-

lains reported that a total of 1,061 seafarers (10.3%) on 104 ships were denied shore leave.

An overwhelming majority (81.6%) of these seafarers were denied shore leave because they did not have valid visas. Other reasons for denial of shore leave included seafarers who remained on their vessels in US waters for more than 29 days (11.7%), seafarers who entered the US on C-1 Transit Visas and were detained onboard after joining the vessel (2.5%), customs and border protection restrictions (2%), and vessel operations (1.9%).

The report notes that the international convention of the facilitation of maritime traffic — which has been ratified by the US — prohibits countries from

requiring seafarers to have a visa for shore leave.

And it argues that the US could simultaneously improve security and enhance the rights of crew members by ratifying the international convention on seafarers’ identity documents (ILO 185).

The report points out that the Maritime Labour Convention requires shipowners to pay for seafarers’ visas. However, it notes, 738 of the 866 seafarers denied shore leave because they lacked a visa were serving on ships where the MLC was in force.

The SCI said it was not entirely clear why so many seafarers did not have valid visas. ‘Reasons that were reported in the survey included: there was no time to get a visa; change in ship’s sched-

Keeping you Safe at Sea

ule; shipowner or crewing agent didn’t help obtain a visa; the cost was prohibitive; and misinformation from the ship’s agent,’ the report adds.

Chaplains identified a number of ports and terminals imposing strict security measures or charging fees of up to US$500 for transporting seafarers out of the facility. In one port, seafarers have been denied departure by security guards because ships’ ID cards were not properly laminated according to terminal standards.

However, the report also points to some ‘best practice’ examples of ports that provide free and regular shuttle services to take seafarers ashore. g What future for seafarers’ centres?

— see pages 20-21.

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with the pastoral care of A seafarers visited the crew of the

P&O Cruises ship Azura when it docked in Civitavecchia, near Rome, at the end of July.

Bishop Joseph Kalathiparambil, from the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) or Stella Maris, is pictured presenting Captain Derek Gray with the Catholic charity’s Sea Crest during his visit.

A large number of the ship’s 1,250 officers and crew joined the Bishop in the ship’s theatre for Mass. With many of them coming

from Catholic countries, this was a particularly poignant moment for them.

Bishop Joseph, who is secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants, which coordinates the global activities of AoS, also the 115,055gt ship, and had lunch with the crew.

Also present at the visit were Rev Roger Stone, port chaplain in Southampton and the South Coast ports, Fr Bruno Ciceri from AoS in Rome, and Manila port chaplain Fr Paulo Prigol.

Shipyard plan for Thames Estuary

Union seeks new probe of ferry fire

and training complex in the SE A of England are being investigated by

3F is continuing to call for F further investigations into the 1990

Plans to build a new shipyard

STCW refresher courses:

Vatican bishop pays a visit to P&O cruiseship

a maritime company — potentially creating thousands of new jobs.

The House of Santon Maritime Group is conducting preliminary work to identify a site on the Thames Estuary that could house the first new shipyard in a generation. The yard would also incorporate a training centre that would be used to bring through the next wave of marine engineering talent into the sector.

Speaking at a National Maritime business breakfast in Greenwich last month, House of Santon’s chief operating officer Anita Bradshaw said that whilst it was still in the early stages, the new facility could have a substantial long-term impact.

‘The vision we have for the new shipyard is to focus all the talent we can muster in the UK — in research,

The Vatican bishop charged

innovation and most importantly in the implementation of new ideas —to create a competitive advantage for the UK in this field,’ she explained.

‘The UK has a history of maritime endeavour which we are confident can be recreated in the modern context to provide jobs for our young people in sustainable, sunrise industries that serve the international shipping market.

‘So we have created the idea of a marine engineering and education/ training cluster to support a shipyard that builds modern ships that represent outstanding value, coupled with exceptional quality for the money as well as incorporating best practice elements.

‘We believe that these elements sum up what is needed for a sophisticated economy to compete effectively in an increasingly global marketplace,’ she added.

Danish seafarers’ union

Scandinavian Star ferry disaster after Norwegian police announced last month that they would not be bringing criminal charges over the fire, which killed 159 people.

Norwegian police spent two years investigating the fire, which many believe was started deliberately.

3F maintains the Danish Maritime Authority should not have allowed the vessel to sail from Denmark for Norway as it was not seaworthy.

National secretary Karsten Kristensen said the authority had failed to discharge its inspection responsibilities. ‘3F members working in shipping should also be able to feel absolutely certain that the authorities check safety and prevent accidents happening, as is their duty,’ he added.

17/08/2016 15:18

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 11

NEWS

Baltic sale to Singapore

MoD is seeking offers for RFA’s forward repair ship Auxiliary (RFA) forward support A vessel Diligence has been put up for The 35-year-old Royal Fleet

F

One of London’s oldest maritime institutions, the Baltic Exchange, is set to be sold to a Singapore-based firm in a £78m deal.

Founded in 1744 as a forum for chartering vessels, the Baltic Exchange is expected to be sold to Singapore Exchange if its major shareholders approve an offer that was finalised last month.

The Baltic Exchange now specialises in the provision of shipping market data; its 600 members are responsible for a large proportion of all dry cargo and tanker fixtures, as well as merchant ship sales.

sale by the Ministry of Defence.

Converted from the offshore support vessel Stena Inspector in 1983, Diligence is being withdrawn from service four years earlier than planned — leaving the Royal Navy without a vessel to provide operational support and repair to ships and submarines operating at distance from the UK. Diligence has been laid up at Cammell Laird’s Birkenhead shipyard for more than a year. An RFA spokesman told the Telegraph: ‘RFA

Film highlights the dangers of stress in the workplace film showing how stress can lead F to injuries and deaths at work.

Nautilus has welcomed a new

Launched by the British Safety Council (BSC), the film — entitled The Last Word — is aimed at employees and employers. It warns that being tired, distracted and unable to fully concentrate can make simple tasks like climbing a ladder more dangerous.

Research by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has suggested that up to 80% of accidents are related to workplace stress, and BSC head of campaigns and engagement Matthew Holder said he hopes the film will make people sit up and take notice of the signs and symptoms.

‘It is well documented that stress is a significant cause of sickness

absence, undermining both productivity and profitability,’ he explained. ‘What is less discussed is how stress can endanger lives. Evidence shows that stress significantly contributes to injuries in sectors such as construction, transport and agriculture.

Nautilus professional and technical assistant David Appleton said the film was very relevant to shipping. ‘When seafarers are overworked and go without enough rest then catastrophic incidents are more likely to take place,’ he added.

‘Highlighting the ways stress and fatigue can affect people — including seafarers — is an important step to take if a change in culture is ever to be achieved.’

Report says violence to crew is down, but kidnappings are on the increase

P

Pirate attacks on merchant ships have fallen to the lowest level for more than 20 years, despite a surge in kidnappings off West Africa, according to a new report from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

The IMB’s global piracy report shows 98 incidents in the first half of 2016, compared with 134 for the same period in 2015. When piracy was at its peak, in 2010 and 2003, the IMB recorded almost 450 attacks a year.

Of the incidents taking place between 1 January and 30 June this year, 72 involved vessels being boarded, five ships were hijacked, and there were 12 attempted attacks, with nine ships being fired upon.

Violence to crew was signifi-

advice on issues including planning, design, safety and training in ports, terminals and shipping.

BMT Ship & Costal Dynamics will bring together the group’s teams in the UK and the Netherlands to provide expert assessments and analysis in such fields as environmental conditions for offshore and coastal design and operations, mooring analysis, emergency response, search and rescue and the impact of coastal or nearshore operations on shipping

10-11_news.indd 11

and port developments.

BMT’s Rembrandt navigation and manoeuvring simulator — which helps assess navigation, access channels, berthing, pilotage, training and incident reconstruction — along with its Search and Rescue Information System (SARIS) will form part of the new company’s portfolio.

The Rembrandt system has been upgraded, with the introduction of separate controls for setting wind wave and swell wave parameters — enabling more realistic scenarios for offshore simulations and critical port approach manoeuvres.

cantly reduced — with no seafarers being killed in the first half of the year, compared with 15 deaths in the past five years. There were 118 incidents of violence to crew — down from 289 in the same period last year and in marked contract to the 579 incidents in the first half of 2011.

A total of 64 crew members were taken hostage onboard, down from 250 in the same period last year. However, the number being kidnapped rose from 10 in the first half of 2015 to 44 in the first half of this year.

‘This drop in world piracy is encouraging news. Two main factors are recent improvements around Indonesia, and the continued deterrence of Somali pirates off East Africa,’ said IMB director Captain Pottengal Mukundan.

‘But ships need to stay vigilant, maintain security and report all attacks, as the threat of piracy remains, particularly off Somalia and in the Gulf of Guinea,’ he stressed.

The IMB noted that 24 of the 44 kidnapper seafarers were seized in Nigeria, up from 10 in the first half of 2015. ‘In the Gulf of Guinea, rather than oil tankers being hijacked for their cargo, there is an increasing number of incidents of crew being kidnapped for ransom,’ Capt Mukundan pointed out.

The Gulf of Guinea accounted for seven of the world’s 10 kidnapping incidents, with armed gangs boarding vessels 30nm to 120nm from shore. Nigerian attacks are often violent, accounting for eight of the nine vessels fired

upon worldwide, and the IMB says many more incidents go unreported by shipowners.

The IMB reported two further kidnap incidents off Sabah, where tugs and barges were targeted. And in early June, a tug and barge was hijacked off Balingian, Sarawak in Malaysia and its palm oil cargo stolen.

The report notes that the Indonesian authorities have more than halved incidents in their waters by introducing designated anchorages with improved security. z Twelve Somali nationals found guilty of attacking the Panama-flagged containership MSC Jasmine in the Indian Ocean in January 2013 were sentenced to five years in jail by a court in Mauritius last month.

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BMT launches new advisory service The UK-based BMT Group has

Picture: Gary Davies/Maritime Photographic

Pirate attacks at a 20-year low

BMT’s Nigel Gee division has secured a contract to design two 70m LNGpowered ro-pax ferries for the Dutch operator Rederij Doeksen. To be built in Vietnam and due to enter into service in April 2018, the vessels will serve the Friesland Islands, linking Harlingen, Terschelling and Vlieland

launched a new commercial F wing to provide specialised maritime

Diligence is an aged singleton ship with increasing obsolescence issues, and for that reason early retirement is the most sensible and cost-effective option.

‘The consideration of options to deliver the capabilities provided by RFA Diligence remains ongoing.

‘Due to a successful recruitment campaign, RFA manning is currently on target, with many vacancies being oversubscribed,’ he added. ‘The RFA continues to have a strong future and looks forward to welcoming four new tankers into the flotilla.’

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17/08/2016 15:18

12 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

HEALTH & SAFETY

Crew praised for Error led to evacuation response to fire F

have been praised for their F professionalism in successfully The crew of a cruiseship

containing a fire after a fuel supply line fractured and fuel oil ignited on a hot surface last year.

Prompt action by the seafarers onboard the 28,551gt Boudicca ‘proved effective in containing the spread and extinguishing the fire without casualties’, an investigation report by the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) states.

However, the ship — which was sailing from Cadiz to Lanzarote with 784 passengers and 356 crew onboard — developed a 5-degree list when a compartment in the machinery space flooded because the hi-fog fixed firefighting system had continued to run for one hour and 14 minutes after it had been presumed to have stopped.

Investigators found that the water mist system had continued to function because of a lack of understanding of the electrical control system and the report recommends that all members of the emergency response team are fully familiar with its operating procedures.

The BMA said the fracture was probably caused by fatigue failure linked to engine-generated vibrations.

The report urges the operator, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, to review the safety management system to ensure that it contains specific procedures to identify vibration fatigue.

The report also notes that the ship’s officers and crew have been reminded about the use of English as a working language onboard — and its particular importance during emergencies.

A cruiseship had to be evacuated after losing power off the Falkland Islands last year because of a fire that was caused by an error during maintenance work in the engineroom.

A Royal Navy ship helped to evacuate 336 passengers and crew from the French-flagged vessel Le Boreal which was at risk of running aground after losing propulsion in rough seas last November. The 10,994gt ship — which was on an 11-day Antarctica cruise — was towed to safety by two Dutch tugs.

An investigation into the incident found that the fire began when an engineer officer mistakenly opened a fuel filter in the diesel-generator compartment. Fuel oil leaked out under pressure — causing a fireball when it ignited after spraying out onto the turbo-blower exhaust.

The ship’s hi-fog water-mist

Royal Navy teams winched Le Boreal passengers to safety Picture: MoD

extinguishing system was manually triggered in all the engine compartments, but failed to prevent the fire from spreading along bunched copper cables to the upper deck of the engine compartment.

The French maritime investigation bureau BEAMer said three fire-fighting

teams took four hours to extinguish the blaze. Crew members had to stop water cooling and the use of the hi-fog system because the vessel had developed a 14-degree list.

With Le Boreal drifting towards the coast, the master made the decision to drop anchor and evacuate the 194

passengers and all but 10 crew with the support of HMS Clyde, the tugs Giessenstroom and Dintelstroom, and sistership L’Austral, which was in the area at the time.

Investigators said the engineer officer had noticed a clogged duplex filter when he was patrolling the engineroom and isolated the unit before returning to the engine control room to complete records. About 40 minutes later, he went to replace the filter cartridge — but began work on the wrong filter ‘presumably misled by a faulty visual memory’.

BEAMer noted that the operator, Ponant Cruises, has since banned solo nightwork on the fuel feeding line and has fitted new generation filters to the ship. The report urges the company to ‘reflect on the opportunity of the presence of a mechanic rating during the night watches.

Lost ship’s VDR recovered

Old chart caused PSV grounding

US-flagged ro-ro cargoship A sank in October 2015 with the loss

Alaskan accident shows dangers of outdated survey data, Nautilus warns

Hopes of determining why a

of 33 lives have been raised after the vessel’s voyage data recorder, pictured above, was recovered from the ocean floor last month.

Investigators hope that material on the VDR will yield information about the final hours of the voyage of the 31,515gt El Faro and the

circumstances leading up to its sinking while sailing between departed Jacksonville, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

It took three missions and 10 months to locate and recover the VDR from a depth of 15,000ft. A deep ocean ROV and specialised tools were used to extricate the capsule from the mast structure to which it was attached.

One dead in lifeboat fall launched an investigation A after a Filipino seafarer died and

Authorities in Bermuda have

three other crew members were injured during a lifeboat drill accident onboard the Bahamas-flagged cruiseship Norwegian Breakaway while alongside at Heritage Wharf, Dockyard.

One other Filipino crew member was flown to the United States for

further medical treatment, while a Romanian seafarer and an Indian crew member were discharged from hospital after being treated ashore.

The accident onboard the 145,655gt Norwegian Breakaway is the sixth incident within the space of three years involving lifeboats falling from their cables during drills on cruiseships, resulting in at least eight reported deaths.

P

Nautilus has once again highlighted concerns over the risks posed by poor quality hydrographic information following an investigation into the grounding of an offshore oil support vessel off the coast of Alaska last year.

The 9,396gt ice-breaker Fennica — which had been chartered

by Shell to support drilling operations in the Chukchi Sea — suffered an estimated $100,000 worth of hull damage after striking an uncharted rock in Unalaska Bay in July 2015.

The Finnish-flagged vessel was forced to return to port after a ballast tank began filling with water because of a 3ft-long fracture caused by the grounding.

Investigations revealed that

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Fennica had struck a rock which was at a depth of 22.5ft at mean low-low water — nine inches higher than the ship’s under-keel clearance in the tidal conditions at the time.

The US Coast Guard said a survey of the area carried out after the accident revealed several locations shallower than reported on the relevant charts, which indicated that the shallowest point was 31.5ft. The area had last been surveyed in 1935, the investigation report notes.

Earlier this year, the UK-based marine insurance broker Marsh issued a report warning that accurate bathymetric data is inadequate or non-existent in large tracts of the world’s oceans and seas. Large areas are either un-

term injuries to internal organs F after being exposed to toxic fumes

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when cleaning the tanks of a chemical carrier in the port of Rotterdam.

An investigation into the accident last year found that seafarers on the 7,003dwt Bomar Mercury had been affected by the previous aniline cargo and key crew members lacked a proper appreciation of the risks.

The Maltese-flagged vessel had discharged the aniline at the Rotterdam Vopak terminal on the previous day and was carrying out tank cleaning operations before loading a gasoil cargo.

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12-13_h+s.indd 12

surveyed. It was fortunate on this occasion that there appears to have been no injuries or environmental damage caused, but we will continue to see an increase in this type of incident in the coming years as vessel size increases and shipping activity increases in the polar regions.

‘What is particularly concerning is the fact that this incident occurred in US waters, which are currently surveyed to a much higher standard than UK waters (75% versus 49%),’ he added.

‘We fully support the Marsh report’s calls for the IMO to put pressure on flag states to meet their SOLAS Convention responsibilities to collect and provide hydrographic data,’ Mr Appleton said.

Crew exposed to dangerous fumes from previous cargo

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surveyed or not re-checked since old lead-line soundings, measured in fathoms, were taken nearly a century ago.

The Marsh report raised particular concerns over the increase in shipping operations in polar waters, pointing out that 95% of Arctic waters are either not surveyed to modern standards or not surveyed at all.

The company said the shipping industry should put more pressure onto maritime states to discharge their duty to survey the waters off their coasts.

Nautilus professional and technical assistant David Appleton commented: ‘This incident highlights the dangers faced by shipping when ships are operated in areas that are inadequately

Two seafarers suffered long-

Crew members who were doing the final checks on the tanks complained of feeling unwell — two of them having to be resuscitated on the way to hospital — and three others who were on deck at the time also had to receive treatment ashore.

A Transport Malta investigation said the cargo tank cleaning procedure was not as effective as planned, and aniline residues were still present on the bulkheads of at least one of the tanks.

Documents and instructions onboard failed to give any real indication of the time required to thoroughly clean a cargo tank,

the report says, and some of the information was contradictory.

Crew members were not completely familiar with the use of tank washing equipment, the report adds, and did not seem to appreciate that there were more than 38 sq m of shadowed areas in one tank which could not be cleaned by the fixed cleaning machines. Investigators were unable to ascertain whether the crew had undertaken cargo-specific training, and relevant crew members, including the chief mate, appeared to lack the necessary knowledge on the correct sampling method for the cargo tank atmosphere.

17/08/2016 15:54

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 13

HEALTH & SAFETY

MAIB concern at safety inaction Annual report voices disappointment over rejected recommendations

P

The head of the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has expressed concern at the failure of key government and industry stakeholders to act on recommendations from important reports.

In the MAIB’s new annual report, chief inspector Steve Clinch noted that five of the 71 recommendations made during 2015 had been rejected.

‘That four of the five recommendations were rejected by government and industry stakeholders, with whom extensive discussions had been held to ensure the recommendations were proportionate and achievable, is particularly disappointing,’ he wrote.

One of the recommendations called on the Maritime Coastguard Agency to ensure that the Boatmaster’s Licence syllabus

covers awareness of the dangers of distraction and the speed with which unsafe conditions can develop on inland waterways.

The recommendation followed an investigation into an incident in which the passenger vessel Millennium Diamond made contact with Tower Bridge, London, in June 2014.

Another had called for the MCA to require owners of under-24m fishing vessels to submit their annual self-certification declarations to the Agency and another had asked the Sea Fish Industry Authority to include the hazards associated with lone working and single-handed operations in its syllabus for safety awareness training.

DP World rejected a recommendation for measures designed to improve the effectiveness of vessel traffic and pilot-

age services in the port of Jebel Ali, tabled in response to an investigation into a collision between the UK-flagged containership Ever Smart and the Marshall Islands-registered tanker Alexandra 1 in February 2015.

However, Mr Clinch said he was encouraged to note a reduction last year in the number of accidents reported to the MAIB — 1,057, compared with 1,270 in 2014. The number of investigations launched also reduced — from 31 in 2014 to 28 last year.

The report notes that, for the sixth year in a row, no UK merchant ships of 100gt and above were lost. Two seafarers were killed on such ships, however — an engineer officer who suffered fatal burns in a fire onboard the dredger Arco Avon and a crewman on the tug Svitzer Moira, who was fatally injured during mooring

operations in Portbury Dock.

A total of 143 merchant seafarers were killed or injured on UK ships of 100gt and above, with the most common causes being falls, being caught or carried away by something, and loss of control of a tool or equipment.

The 118 incidents involving UK merchant vessels last year included 35 collisions, 28 loss of control, 24 contact, and 18 grounding.

Five foreign-flagged vessels and 12 of their crew were lost in UK waters in 2015 — including eight who died when the Cyprusregistered cement carrier Cemfjord capsized off the north coast of Scotland.

A total of 13 commercial fishing vessels were lost during the year, compared with 12 in 2014, and seven fishing vessel crew members died.

Singapore collision probe launched after a 14,000TEU F containership collided with a An investigation has been

319,988dwt tanker off last month.

The Panama-flagged MSC Alexandra lost 10 containers in the collision with the National Iranian Tanker Company VLCC Dream II some 3km SE of Sebarok Island.

The containership suffered damage to the port quarter hull,

pictured above, and the tanker sustained bow damage, but no injuries or oil pollution was reported.

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) is investigating the incident and said its ports operations control centre had alerted the masters of both ships to the risk of collision before it took place.

P&I club urges industry re-think on the risks of snap-back zones are not enough to protect crew members from F injury, a maritime safety expert has warned.

Marked snap-back zones for mooring ropes

Free film shows how to prevent the Zika virus company Videotel has F released a safety video about

The maritime training film

the risks of the Zika virus — and has made it free for seafarers worldwide.

The 13-minute training film aims to increase awareness of the preventative measures that seafarers should take when serving on ships going to areas where the virus is spreading — in particular, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the dengue-like virus can cause symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis, typically two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Videotel began preparing the Zika Virus — Staying Safe programme after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the

12-13_h+s.indd 13

virus a public health emergency earlier this year. The film includes input from the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) and a panel of medical and subject-matter experts.

The video explains the nature of the Zika virus, how to avoid becoming infected, and the role of an onboard pest management plan to avoid passive transportation of virus-infected mosquitoes.

‘Knowing the answers to simple questions such as what colour clothing to wear to minimise chances of mosquito bites or what time of day the insects are most active can be hugely beneficial to mariners,’ Videotel chief executive officer Nigel Cleave pointed out. g The video and an accompanying workbook can be downloaded from a website set up by Videotel parent company KVH: www.kvh.com/ zikadownloads.

David Nichol, a risk assessor at the UK P&I Club, last month urged owners and crews to develop a new understanding of the dangers posed by parting ropes.

He pointed out that industry advice had recently changed following an incident where a deck officer was seriously injured during a mooring operation, despite standing away from a marked snap-back danger zone. The UK Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers says: z owing to the design of mooring decks, the entire area should be considered a potential snap-back zone. All crew working on a mooring deck should be

made aware of this with clear visible signage z the painting of snap-back zones on mooring decks should be avoided because they may give a false sense of security ‘In effect, the whole mooring deck may be considered a danger zone,’ said Mr Nichol. ‘All mooring ropes will stretch to some degree under tension and more so when constructed from synthetic fibre. When a mooring line parts under load, the sudden release of stored energy in the rope will cause it to recover its original length almost instantaneously. The two ends of the line recoil or snap-back towards or past their secured ends with great velocity, and anyone standing within the snapback zone risks serious injury or death.’

Marked snap-back zones can never be 100%

accurate and should be phased out, he stressed.

Instead, crew members should be given more training on the hazards associated with mooring operations on their vessel. The UK P&I Club has issued the following recommendations: z risk assessments should conducted to ensure potential snap-back zones are identified, taking into account various mooring configurations that may be employed z mooring plans should illustrate the identified snap-back hazardous zones z prior to each operation, mooring teams should carry out a pre-mooring tool box talk to ensure all participating crewmembers are aware of the hazards of snap-back g See readers’ letters, page 16.

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17/08/2016 15:54

14 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

INTERNATIONAL

shortreports ‘PARTY’ ROW: the Swedish seafarers’ union SEKO is preparing legal action against a ferry company, claiming harassment and bullying of crew members working onboard the Stockholm archipelago ferry Norrskär. They criticised management for calling police to break up what was described as ‘a late-night party’ onboard the vessel. The ‘intruders’ were the last passengers leaving the ship and the ‘party’ consisted of crew members eating an evening meal after their shift.

CRUISE CALL: the United Nations has warned that Venice could be placed on Unesco’s list of endangered heritage sites if Italy fails to ban cruiseships and large tankers from transiting the city’s lagoon and the Giudecca Canal by February 2017. The world heritage committee has expressed ‘extreme concern’ at the impact of cruiseships on the environment of the lagoon and the damage being caused to the cultural and historical legacy of the city.

FAKE DOCTOR: a nurse who posed as a doctor and treated more than 1,300 passengers while working on an Aida cruiseship for 10 months has been sent to prison for three years by a German court. Judges said that while the man falsely represented his credentials, he did not appear to have caused any harm to patients and one witness even testified that he was an exemplary ship’s doctor.

SPANISH SERVICE: the Italian operator Grimaldi has deployed the 43-year-old ro-pax AF Claudia Prima on its Leghorn-Barcelona route. The 14,975gt vessel has been renamed Caribbean Galaxy. Meanwhile, rival firm Moby Line is considering a service from Italy to Barcelona as the first phase of its plans to expand ferry freight routes outside Italy.

Greece urged to step up training Report calls for upgrades of nautical colleges as Cyprus opens new centre

P

A new report on Greek seafaring has urged the country’s government to boost investment in maritime colleges to bring them up to date with technological developments in the shipping industry.

And the study has also called for the country’s shipowners to launch a major new programme to combat a lack of interest by young people in careers in the shipping industry.

The report, published by the accountancy firm Ernst & Young, points to evidence that young people have a negative view of maritime employment. Only 6% of 1,000 people aged between 16 and 30 said they would like to work in shipping — even though 58% were aware of the industry’s economic importance and 47%

described it as a dynamic sector.

Despite high levels of youth unemployment in Greece, the research found that tourism was a far more attractive job prospect for young people. Reasons for not pursuing a career at sea included long absences from home and family (65%) and not wanting to be ‘locked up in a boat’ (40%).

The report said Greek owners should adopt ‘best practice’ recruitment policies to promote seafaring and to address negative perceptions of life at sea. It also urged the government to restore funding to maritime academies, warning that problems of understaffing and outdated infrastructure mean that training is failing to keep pace with the reality of modern-day operations. z Cyprus has opened its first

nautical school in a drive to develop its seafaring skills base to meet the long-term demands of the island’s shipping services sector.

The first students at the Cyprus Maritime Academy will begin their studies this month — following four-year degree programmes in nautical science, nautical engineering, and nautical electric engineering.

It is hoped that up to 40 students will be part of the inaugural courses, and during the second year of their studies they will undergo practical training with Cyprus-based shipping companies.

Transport minister Marios Demetriades said the academy was ‘an important milestone’ for Cyprus. ‘The availability of

GROUNDING PROBE: authorities in Norway have launched an investigation after the Malteseflagged cruiseship Horizon grounded on a sandbank in Geiranger Fjord while entering the port of Stavanger.

The 47,427gt vessel was reported to have suffered no damage but had to be re-floated with assistance from two harbour tugs.

Seafarers protest at tax ruling

ITALIAN APPEAL: the organisations representing Italian ship masters and officers have made a joint appeal with the national ship managers’ association to the government to bring in a special benefits system for seafarers in recognition of the particular demands of the profession.

BOX MERGER: Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd and the Dubai-based United Arab Shipping Company SAG (UASC) have confirmed a merger agreement that will create the fifth largest container shipping fleet in the world. The combined company will have 237 ships with a total 1.6m TEU capacity.

MEGA MARSEILLES: the French port of Marseille Fos will be able to handle the largest cruiseships following the completion of a €64m expansion project. Last year, more than 170 ships of 300m and above visited the port.

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lodged protests against a A tribunal judgment that threatens

Maritime unions in India have

has been converted from a flat top barge for the A Italian energy and telecoms firm Prysmian Group.

Pictured above is the cable-lay vessel Ulisse, which

The €20m conversion project on the 120m vessel was carried out by the PaxOcean shipyard in Singapore and included the installation of an eight-point spread mooring system that will enable Ulisse to operate in a wide range of conditions.

SK Tax Service Ltd

info@sktax.co.uk www.sktax.co.uk

skilled human resources is at the very core of economic growth and employment in the sector as more and more of maritime activities become knowledge dependent,’ he added. ‘Therefore, access to high quality maritime education and training should be on top of the national agendas of all maritime nations.’

The minister said students qualifying as junior officers will not struggle to find jobs in the Cyprus-flagged fleet of 1,677 ships and would have good long-term prospects in the maritime cluster ashore.

Mr Demetriades said his ministry had approved a €330,000 financial support scheme for training cadets and scholarships totalling €45,000 will be given for shipping-related degrees.

The vessel is capable of transporting 7,000 tonnes of cable in a 30m diameter carousel, and can be equipped with a carousel loading pick-up arm and a stern-mounted cable chute for loading and surface lay operations.

The first project to be undertaken by Ulisse will be part of a €90m contract to supply and install a 22km high voltage alternating current submarine cable system across the Guimaras Strait in the Philippines.

ITF renews call for talks over Panama Canal safety fears Workers’ Federation has offered F to meet the Panama Canal Authority The International Transport

(ACP) to discuss concerns over safety following reports of a number of incidents in the first month since the expanded waterway opened.

Reports of a containership hitting the wall of the Agua Clara locks and an LPG tanker and another containership striking fenders were dismissed as ‘inaccurate’ by the authority —but the union representing towage service officers in the canal described the procedures in place as ‘trial and error’.

ITF general secretary Steve Cotton told the Telegraph: ‘The study of the new Panama Canal locks which we commissioned from the Fundação Homem de Mar Institute revealed a number of potential risks in the infrastructure that could have been — and should have been — avoided.

‘Workers on the Panama Canal are extremely professional,’ he added. ‘The idea of bringing in third party tugboats would be no solution.

Instead, we believe the Panama Canal Authority must now commission adequate numbers of tugboats

and establish a more coordinated operational procedure that takes into account the immediate emergency actions necessary to mitigate risks when an incident occurs or weather conditions suddenly change.

‘The ITF has offered and will continue to offer assistance in order to keep the Panama Canal as one of the safest and more convenient maritime routes,’ Mr Cotton stressed. ‘We have said all along that it is essential that a constructive and positive dialogue takes place, particularly with all workers and trade unions involved.’

to end long-standing income tax concessions for the country’s seafarers.

They have condemned the ruling by a tax tribunal in Kolkata that up to 100,000 merchant seafarers are liable to pay up to 30% of their income earned from working on either Indian or foreign vessels.

Although seafarers have benefited from non-resident tax status for decades, the tribunal ruled that any income received in India is taxable — except in cases where there is a double taxation avoidance agreement.

India’s revenue department has begun sending out tax demands to seafarers — and there is a warning that it may also seek to recover arrears dating back six years.

The Maritime Union of India (MUI) and the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) are jointly opposing the decision. ‘If this judgment is not challenged, then it will snatch away the income tax benefits presently received by thousands of seafarers working on Indian or foreign flag ships. This will lead to payment of heavy income tax on the whole income even when the seafarer is non-resident, whether on Indian or foreign flag ships,’ they warned.

The unions have organised petitions against the judgment and have also taken the issue up at the statutory National Shipping Board meeting in New Delhi.

17/08/2016 15:55

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 15

INTERNATIONAL

shortreports SALARIES SLASHED: Nigerian seafarers serving with Nigerian LNG Ship Management have protested at proposals to slash their salaries by 50%.

The company told the seafarers that they would have to accept the pay cuts by 1 September or risk losing their jobs. They accused the company of failing to consult properly and claimed non-Nigerian crews were not being faced with such severe cuts. Unions called for the government to intervene, warning that efforts to increase the employment and training and Nigerian seafarers are at risk.

A

Pictured above is the 192,237gt newbuild containership MSC Sveva, which was christened in the French port of Le Havre at the end of July. The latest in the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s Oscar class, the 19,224TEU vessel

was built by Daewoo in South Korea and has been deployed on the Asia-Europe services, with calls including Dalian, Busan, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas and Le Havre.

The Panama-flagged ship is LNG ready and equipped with a new generation G95 engine, which is said to put MSC Sveva well ahead of the 2025 emission control standards.

Picture: Eric Houri

‘Whistleblower’ awarded US$1m Company ‘unlawfully retaliated’ against master following safety complaints

P

A ‘whistleblowing’ US shipmaster has been awarded more than $1m damages after a judge ruled that he had been victimised by his company for reporting safety problems to the authorities.

The Boston administrative law court said Horizon Lines had ‘unlawfully retaliated’ against Captain John Loftus and had constructively discharged him for reporting violations of maritime safety law to the US Coast Guard and the ABS classification society.

Describing the company’s actions as ‘reprehensible’, Judge Jonathan Callianos ordered it to pay the master more than $655,000 plus interest in back pay, as well as $225,000 punitive damages and around $200,000 in legal fees and costs.

Capt Loftus — who had 42 years of seagoing experience, and more than 20 years as a master — was demoted to the rank of chief mate by the company after

a disciplinary panel ruled that he had ‘exercised poor judgement’ in sending a crew member onto the deck of the containership Horizon Trader in bad weather to lash down garbage bins during a voyage between New Jersey and Puerto Rico in March 2013.

The ship’s chief mate had to be airlifted ashore after being injured when a door swung open and struck him as he started to secure the bins.

The court found, however, that weather conditions at the time of the accident were moderate and the company had made no attempt to verify what they had been like.

The judge said Horizon’s contention that Capt Loftus’s decision-making had highlighted ‘an inadequate safety culture’ onboard the ship was ‘overwhelmingly unsupported by the record’ and was rejected as a fabrication.

‘All of the experts in this case

are unanimous that Loftus was at the top of his game when it came to safety concerns,’ the judgment adds.

The court heard that Capt Loftus — who had served as master of Horizon Trader since 2006 — had filed a series of complaints about the safety of the ship – including repeated power box fires.

Horizon had been fined $1.5m in 2012 after admitting violations of the MARPOL Convention and the judge said the evidence showed that the complaints made

by Capt Loftus had contributed to its decision to discipline him.

The company’s ‘persistent indifference’ to the concerns raised by Capt Loftus was unreasonable, the judge said, and the master had been forced to contact the regulatory authorities ‘as a last-ditch effort to bring the ship into compliance with regulations’.

The judge also determined that the company had construc-

tively discharged Capt Loftus by offering him non-permanent positions as a relief chief mate on completely different runs.

And the court also ordered the company to pay Capt Loftus an additional $10,000 damages for ‘emotional harm’ — noting that he had suffered from anxiety, sleeplessness and humiliation as a result of his demotion.

Horizon had exacerbated this humiliation by refusing to allow him to return to the ship to retrieve his personal belongings and to instead order crew members to clear his cabin while he waited on the dock for the packed boxes.

The judge described the nature of the company’s actions as ‘extremely troublesome’ and the 48-page ruling concluded by stating: ‘The need to deter others from engaging in similar conduct is uniquely critical in the Seaman’s Protection Act (SPA) whistleblower context.’

SWEDISH APPEAL: maritime unions and shipowners in Sweden have made a joint appeal to the European Commission to give the green light to the country’s proposed tonnage tax scheme. They have called for urgent approval of the package, so that it can go before the Swedish parliament in September and take effect in January 2017. Sweden is the last maritime nation in the EU to develop such a regime and unions hope the scheme will end years of flagging out.

CABLESHIP RAID: 16 pirates in two skiffs armed with rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade fired upon an un-named cable layer west of Jazirat al Hanish al Kabir island in the Red Sea. Armed guards on the ship fired warning shots at the gunmen before the skiffs moved away, but security experts warn that the incident is a sign of the continued presence of violent criminal groups in the area.

BOX BOOM: the fleet of the French containership operator CMA CGM has risen to 531 vessels of 2.3m TEU — with a further 24 ships of 226,000TEU due for delivery over the next 18 months. The fleet includes 24 ships flying the French reserve flag (RIF) and 47 vessels flying the red ensign.

CAPACITY WARNING: a record 150 containerships are expected to be scrapped in 2016 — but this will not be enough for an industry battling over-capacity, low demand and falling rates, the industry analysts Drewry warned last month.

ETV CALL: the union-backed French environmental group Mor Glaz has urged the government to upgrade its emergency towing vessel provision in the Channel, highlighting concerns over the safety of low-cost shipping operations.

CHANNEL EVACUATION: a French navy helicopter airlifted a sick seafarer from the Isle of Man-flagged LPG tanker Happy Bear in the Channel last month to enable him to be treated in a hospital in Calais.

TANKER SMASH: a clean-up operation was launched off the coast of Japan last month after a 465dwt oil tanker partially sank following a collision with a 5,025dwt chemical tanker near the port of Kehin.

SALES SLUMP: secondhand ship sales have almost halved over the past year, a new report has revealed. Spending totalled US$1.6bn in July 2016, compared with $3.1bn at the same time last year.

Italian unions warn of job threat as a result of STCW update delays massive threat to the jobs of their members as a A result of the transport ministry’s delay in revalidating Italian seafaring unions have warned of a

certificates to the new requirements set down by the STCW ‘Manila amendments’.

The Filt-CGIL, Fit-CISL and UILTrasporti unions warn that as many as 15,000 seafarers will have to rush through the updating procedures if they are to stand a chance of gaining the necessary certification by the 1 January 2017 deadline.

They say that around 50 Italian jobs have already gone from the Carnival Cruise fleet and a further 50 are expected to be lost by the end of the year. Carnival

14-15_int.indd 15

employs around 1,815 Italian officers, and the unions fear that other operators may follow suit if the revalidation problems continue.

Italian certificates are issued by harbourmasters’ offices and, as in other European countries, are valid for five years. But Italy’s certificate renewal decree was not issued until December 2015 — barely a year before the January 2017 deadline— and further regulations, including those for seafarers serving on LNG-powered vessels, have not yet been issued by the authorities.

The problem is particularly acute for Italian cruiseship officers because of a dispute between

operators and the government over the interpretation of professional titles that are based on qualifications and not competence. Italian law stipulates that any second officer acting as a first officer loses the second officer qualification, meaning that employers would have to carry out mass promotions or temporary promotions for limited periods.

A further problem is that barely one-third of Italy’s 64 recognised maritime schools can provide the new courses — and not all at the same time — meaning that seafarers have to attend at least two different colleges.

17/08/2016 15:55

16 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

MARITIME DEBATE

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Snap-back: time to act c

Probably of all the tasks required on a vessel the most intensive, involving all onboard, and possibly the most hazardous, is the mooring of the vessel on arrival in port.

Mooring accidents are regrettably growing in number. Once upon a time, we had manila ropes, ample crew and little machinery, except for the windlass. The officer and cadet stood there in their uniforms directing the operation to orders from the bridge on a sound-powered telephone. Sometimes in clement conditions, when two lines and a spring were put out, the officer used to wander off — leaving the rest to the cadet.

How different it is today. The ship is far larger and heavier, the crew is minimal, the machinery has increased in size and complexity, and the very idea of getting two mooring lines and a spring out at the same time at each end — which is still the seamanship standard — is laughable. Even if the ship did have this capability, the shore mooring gang does not exist any more. Too often, it consists of two stevedores who want to moor one end before going to the next, put the lines on the nearest bollard and head for the pub.

For example, take a standard size bulker or tanker of around 160,000dwt berthing in a force 7 in light condition with the wind blowing off the quay. There are those who might wonder what the captain is doing berthing in such a condition if he is concerned about it — but if the port has not closed and berthing at that berth or terminal continues, how does the captain refuse if the pilot is willing to take the ship in? What if the charterers put the ship off-hire because of his refusal? Of course the captain has the right to refuse, but I wonder how much longer he would remain in command if he took this stance?

So let us assume the berthing is to go ahead.

What is now essential is the correct briefing to the station officers, especially forward. That should include when the tugs will be made fast and where, if they are to be let go, to change position and when?

Is it intended that the offshore anchor is to be used and how many shackles should there be? What is the windage expected at the berth and what lines are required first and on completion?

With today’s manning levels, instead of putting out the lines the pilot wants first, the command must tell him what lines the ship is capable of putting out. This depends entirely on the number of

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It’s no wonder mooring accidents are on the increase on today’s undermanned ships, argues Nautilus Council member Captain Michael Lloyd…

c

Mooring operations ‒ the most hazardous work onboard? Picture: Danny Cornelissen

crew available. Two mooring lines and a spring will require a minimum of two for driving the winches, five for line handling and an officer in charge. So that’s eight before we man the after mooring station. Now let us remember the ship managers and owners are, by legislation, supposed to have manned the ship for just such a situation, as follows: The minimum manning levels are to take into account: ‘The number of qualified and other personnel required to meet peak workload situations and conditions, with due regard to the number of hours of shipboard duties and rest periods assigned to seafarers.’

Unfortunately, our safety-conscious owners, their managers ashore and our flag state marine

26 High Street, Barry CF62 7EB, South Glamorgan, UK Tel. Barry (01446) 739953 MARINETAX@YAHOO.COM Established 1974

16_mike lloyd_SR edit.indd 16

authorities have completely ignored this — so it is imperative that the master advise the pilot what can be put out together, which usually these days seems to be just one line at a time.

This means that the tug has to have the horse power to hold the ship in place while the next line is being put out — and if it doesn’t, the strain of the whole ship will be put on that one line.

This leads us to the marked snap-back zone. It seemed like a good idea at the time, except for the fact that this can only be ascertained correctly if all the lines are of the same type, the same age, have the same length of lead, and have the same tensions.

All of these factors will provide a different snapback zone. In other words, it is not possible on any

There are a few other points to remember about those on the mooring station. The cadet is not there to supplement the lack of crew. That is the company’s problem for undermanning the ship. If the situation is considered hazardous, the cadet — especially if still fairly new to the sea — should not be put into any such situation.

Neither should engine ratings be used, as they are not qualified to be on the mooring stations unless it is an emergency.

Another practice becoming more common is the shifting of the ship using the lines alone. Again, in the past with smaller ships and ample crew this was not a problem, but now, with ships trying to do this on one line, it can become dangerous — especially when the wind is strong and the ship is laden.

The ship has engines to move the ship. Possibly a polite reminder to the master of this may help.

Finally we come to the tugs. Understandably they are anxious to get away, especially if the wind is blowing hard in the port and other ships are requiring their attention — but regardless of their calls and, too often, threats, they should not be let go until the mooring officer is satisfied his lines are moored securely.

Sooner or later some clever injury lawyer is going to realise what a goldmine there is at sea for crew and officers injured owing to the failure to man the ships properly and offer their services on a no-win, no-fee basis. That will be a day for celebration. Until then, stay safe.

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ship to define such a zone — which is why the whole of the mooring area must be treated as dangerous during such a mooring operation, and any marked snap-back zone cannot be considered to define a place of safety.

So, having recognised that this is the case, when the officer hears and sees the line coming under such a severe strain, he will ensure that the crew are clear, regardless of any other concerns. This could mean that if the next order is to drop the anchor as the line parts, there is no one there to do this. This is not the officer’s problem, the safety of his crew is.

The officer is there to supervise the mooring and see that it is done safely. To do this properly means that he must not undertake any other duty such as driving a windlass. Any order to do so is illegal as it will endanger the safety of those he is supposed to be safeguarding and must be refused.

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17/08/2016 12:12

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 17

YOUR LETTERS THE VIEW FROM MUIRHEAD

www.thefreakywave.com

If we get our UK income tax back, we should get council tax too suggesting that there should be A a campaign by Nautilus to enable UK

I wrote to the Telegraph last year

Please help save the lightship Planet — you’re our last hope fiver to save old Mersey lightship’ F story in the July Telegraph, I would Following on from the ‘spare a

like to make one more effort to try and get this appeal to secure the historic Mersey Bar lightship Planet noticed.

I feel we are a bunch of guys who have been in a lifeboat for quite a time: we have seen smoke on the horizon and seen lights in the sky, but nothing has changed — we are on our own!

Today we started dismantling our wireless room at Fort Perch Rock [see letter below]. It is hard when we have all put so much effort into the museum.

Even so, we have that preservation

spirit — goodness knows where we still get it from. Probably because we are from a generation that cared.

I was recently contacted by Alan Roberts, the new owner of the Bar lightship, to see if I could get a new Red Duster (my name, not his) for the vessel. Through the good offices of the Federation of Merchant Mariners we found a supplier and I asked for an ensign that we would normally fly at sea, approved by the DfT. The price was going to be around £70 mark.

Now, Alan is not a rich man and has been spending a lot of his hard-earned savings to fight the bureaucracy and

pay his way to maintain our treasured vessel. I mentioned this at our recent meeting of the Anchorage Club in Liverpool and was amazed when I passed my Breton hat round and we collected over £70 — and, even better, everybody was pleased to contribute.

Our mums and dads handed in their pots and pans and railings to help the country get through the WW2 and save the world, which they did (with the help of the Merchant Navy). Please make your £5 donation if you also care — www.mrmsw.co.uk.

STAN MCNALLY mem no 445596

seafarers to claim back their council tax — something we used to be able to do before the rules were changed.

The subject is still on my mind and bugging me. I think that it is only fair and logical that if a seafarer can claim their income tax back for the year, then the same would apply to council tax.

I used to claim the council tax back many years ago, when the rules said that you had to be out of the country more than five months per year. This had to be five months consecutively.

Ten to 15 years ago this was possible due to the long voyages at that time.

But in this modern day, who does more than three months even? I do 10 weeks on and 10 weeks off.

We are losing money just because the council tax people move the qualifying days. I know people who work in Dubai and they get their taxes back — and they are not even seafarers.

I put in a claim one year and was told that my consecutive dates were all wrong. When I applied the following

year I was told that there are no rebates any more. So who do we believe?

So I think the rule should change and I propose, as above, that if you can get your government tax back then you should be able to get your council tax back as well.

I can’t believe there was no reaction from members on my last letter to the Telegraph. I can’t believe that members are ready to give away £1,500 to £1,700 for a service they do not get.

Is it complacency where they don’t want to bother as they know they will never win, and prepared to just go with the flow? It’s a lot of money which could be put to better use.

Money is really important, especially for the younger generation who will find it harder now where the company does not help out anymore with the costs of courses and exams. £1,500 a year really could help a seafarer pay off some large bills.

The UK government has moved with the times and has given the seafarer earnings deduction rules for nonpayment of UK tax. Councils should catch up and do the same. mem no 136485

Historic radio gear needs new home Perch Rock, under the care of the MRMS — former radio officers, ex-RNR personnel and amateur radio enthusiasts. Later a Morse key was added with a buzzer so members of the public could try their hand at sending Morse code, this turned out to be a popular attraction.

Many ex-seafarers came to visit and a lot of happy memories were reported. Several other items were also displayed, including a Redifon RM50 receiver, and a WW2 Type 975 direction finder.

A memory room was installed underneath the ‘wireless room’

Have your say online Last month we asked: Do you think ‘Brexit’ will be good for the shipping industry?

UK

Yes 49%

CH No 42%

listen on Channel 12, so visitors could listen to river Mersey ships controlled by Mersey VTS, a display-only echosounder, a display-only Furuno GPS unit.

Two teleprinters from Portishead Radio were donated and made operational by MRMS members.

At the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic MRMS members built a replica Titanic wireless room, as close as we could to the original. This was housed in an outer building opposite the wireless tower.

Fort Perch Rock say that the Titanic room will be opened to the public and not dismantled, but the new curator/owner wishes to dispose of all the marine radio

equipment in the wireless tower.

We have made a list of what is to be disposed of and wish to promulgate it to interested parties: email me to get the details — georgecliveevans@outlook.com.

Interested parties will have to collect the equipment they want.

There is no cost involved, however any donations to Fort Perch Rock would be appreciated. If there is any equipment left by 31 October, it will be disposed of. g All enquiries about the equipment should be addressed to Luke Darroch: email new. brighton.fort@gmail.com or mobile +44 (0)7480 657815.

CLIVE EVANS mem no 426107

£50 EACH £200 BUNDLE

No 51% Yes 58% IT

HERB Y

This month’s poll asks: Do you think officer trainees could do more training on simulators as a way of dealing with the problem of insufficient berths for cadets? Give us your views online, at nautilusint.org

17_lets_SR edit.indd 17

which included a navigational chart of the North Atlantic with all the merchant ship losses plotted by LMRED archivist Willie Williamson. A Canadian donated a second chart of the western Atlantic which had all sunken merchant ships on the east coast of Canada. Also in the memory room were examples of various lifeboat radios, handheld radios, valves, and a radar used by Liverpool pilots post-WW2.

At a later date, a full Kelvin Hughes radio station was donated and a second full Marconi marine wireless console (ex mv Forthbank) was installed. More equipment added included a Sailor VHF with power unit set to

W

P

The Marine Radio Museum Society (MRMS) has been contacted by the new curator/owner of Fort Perch Rock, who wishes to dispose of all the marine radio equipment in the wireless tower there.

There was some confusion as to who owned the equipment, because originally the Liverpool Marine and Radio Society sold the equipment to the previous owner for £1. The equipment — which included the original radio station from the Isle of Man ferry Lady of Mann — was either stored on put on display at Fort

Witherby Publishing Group 4 Dunlop Square, Livingston, Edinburgh, EH54 8SB, Scotland, UK Tel No: +44(0)1506 463 227 - Email: info@witherbys.com - Web: www.witherbyseamanship.com

telegraph STAFF editor: Andrew Linington senior reporter: Sarah Robinson reporter: Steven Kennedy Dutch correspondent: Hans Walthie production editor: June Cattini-Walker ADVERTISING Redactive Media Group 17 Britton Street, London EC1M 5TP. Display adverts: Jude Rosset tel: +44 (0)20 7880 6217 Jude.rosset@redactive.co.uk Recruitment adverts: Paul Wade tel: +44 (0)20 7880 6212 tel: +44 (0)20 7880 6200 email: paul.wade@redactive.co.uk website: www.redactive.co.uk Although the Telegraph exercises care and caution before accepting advertisements, readers are advised to take appropriate professional advice before entering into any commitments such as investments (including pension plans). Publication of an advertisement does not imply any form of recommendation and Nautilus International cannot accept any liability for the quality of goods and services offered in advertisements. Organisations offering financial services or insurance are governed by regulatory authorities and problems with such services should be taken up with the appropriate body.

Incorporating the merchant navy journal and ships telegraph

ISSN 0040 2575 Published by Nautilus International Printed by Wyndeham Peterborough.

GENERAL SECRETARY Mark Dickinson MSc (Econ) HEAD OFFICE 1&2 The Shrubberies George Lane, South Woodford London E18 1BD tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 fax: +44 (0)20 8530 1015 www.nautilusint.org NETHERLANDS OFFICE Schorpioenstraat 266 3067 KW Rotterdam Postbus 8575, 3009 AN Rotterdam tel: +31 (0)10 4771188 fax: +31 (0)10 4773846 NORTHERN OFFICE Nautilus House, Mariners’ Park Wallasey CH45 7PH tel: +44 (0)151 639 8454 fax: +44 (0)151 346 8801 SWITZERLAND OFFICE Gewerkschaftshaus, Rebgasse 1 4005 Basel, Switzerland tel: +41 (0)61 262 24 24 fax: +41 (0)61 262 24 25 DEPARTMENT EMAILS general: enquiries@nautilusint.org membership: membership@nautilusint.org legal: legal@nautilusint.org telegraph: telegraph@nautilusint.org industrial: industrial@nautilusint.org youth: ymp@nautilusint.org welfare: welfare@nautilusint.org professional and technical: protech@nautilusint.org Nautilus International also administers the Nautilus Welfare Fund and the J W Slater Fund, which are registered charities.

17/08/2016 16:36

18 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

HISTORIC SHIPS

All aboard the Danny!

The historic steam tug Daniel Adamson has finally been restored to full operation — and the first visitors to the revitalised vessel were engineer cadets from Fleetwood Nautical Campus…

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This summer, a group of engineer officer trainees put down their books and went to experience some living maritime history onboard the 1903-built Daniel Adamson.

The outing was organised

by Captain David McNamee, a Fleetwood lecturer and volunteer with the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society (DAPS).

‘Fleetwood are very proactive and encourage ship visits whenever possible,’ he said. ‘It’s a vital part of the cadets’ introduction to the industry, and today’s visit was to show them how things have changed over the years and how far technology has advanced.’

Retired Mersey pilot Stuart

It comes down to the man with the shovel, as he needs to know where to put the coal for maximum effort and when

“

”

Wood welcomed the group onboard in his role as DAPS marine coordinator, and the young students soon started to feel like they were sailing back in time. ‘Many items they saw are

Having a go at firing the furnaces

a far cry from the engines and enginerooms they will be sailing in,’ pointed out Capt McNamee.

‘There is a steam steering gear system, and the vessel can also be steered using the old rod and chain system. Other items they saw in the wheelhouse were the brass telegraph and the voice tube to the engineroom.’

Chief engineer Andy Dobbs introduced the group to the boiler, and they tried their hands at firing the furnaces — with more coal falling on the plates than on the fire. The art of firing, explained Mr Dobbs, is to balance the amount of fuel used to produce the required level of steam for the work required of the engine. ‘All this is down to the man with the shovel, as he needs to know where to put the coal for maximum effort and when.’

The smoke tube boiler holds 20 tons of water and has a working pressure of 120psi.

This water is turned into steam from three furnaces. The steam is then fed into two compound reciprocating engines.

Generators and feed pumps are all steam driven. The main engines were built by Messrs John Jones & Sons of Liverpool.

When it was launched in 1903, the vessel was named the Ralph Brocklebank after a member of the shipping dynasty, and worked as a tug, moving

A great time was had by all Pictures: David McNamee

barges and carrying people and livestock. The tug was bought by the Manchester Ship Canal Company and had two art deco saloons and an elevated promenade deck added in the 1930s.

After the re-fit, the tug was renamed the Daniel Adamson, in honour of the Manchester Ship Canal Company’s first

BUILD YOUR CAREER WITH A SLATER SCHOLARSHIP

chairman. It took on a new role as an inspection vessel, transporting VIP guests such as the Danish royal family and US General Dwight D Eisenhower. It continued with this work until taken out of service in the 1980s.

The need for boiler repairs, expensive maintenance work and vandalism problems led to a decision to scrap the vessel.

Then, in 2004, DAPS was formed, which saved the ship by buying it for just £1. Fittingly, it was Mersey tug skipper Dan Cross who led the campaign, inspiring local volunteers to join him and drawing support from across the UK. Since then, the volunteers have managed to get the ‘Danny’ defined on the UK historic ship register as of pre-eminent national or regional significance, equivalent to the Cutty Sark and ss Great Britain. Tireless efforts have continued to raise the money and put in the work

needed to make the vessel operational once more, with the fantastic result that DAPS is now ready to offer excursions as well as static visits in Liverpool’s Canning Dock.

Engineer cadet David Price was delighted to be one of the first to see inside the restored vessel. ‘For me, the visit to the Daniel Adamson was an interesting break from life at the college,’ he said, ‘and a chance for me to see some of the engineering knowledge I have learnt over the course of my phase one being put into practice. Seeing the components of the engine up close, working in unison to form a complete system, was truly fascinating and shovelling coal into the firebox definitely gave me an appreciation for those doing this job in the past.’ g For more information about the Daniel Adamson and to plan a visit, see www.thedanny.co.uk.

The Slater Scholarship offers a bursary of up to £17,500 for Merchant Navy ratings, electrotechnical officers and yacht crew to study for the STCW officer of the watch qualification (either deck or engineer).

Apply now! marine-society.org/slater slater@ms-sc.org Administered by the

Marvelling at the steam-powered steering gear

18_fleetwood_SR edit.indd Sec2:18

17/08/2016 16:36

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 19

NAUTILUS AT WORK

An international vision P

The initial shockwaves following the outcome of the ‘Brexit’ referendum in the UK may have died down, but there is no hiding from the fact that this has been big news all over Europe and the rest of the world since the result was announced in June.

Nowhere has interest been higher than in the maritime industry. The decision to leave the European Union means the UK will need to renegotiate dozens of trade agreements with its neighbours and seek new deals with countries as far afield as Australia. And without shipping those deals simply won’t work.

‘Every week I see new events being announced — debates, seminars and round-tables to discuss what Brexit means for shipping and the British economy — but they all seem to involve more questions that they do answers,’ Mr Dickinson explains.

‘Whatever happens with the UK’s exit from the EU, it is clear that we will continue to live in a deeply interconnected world. And our members, wherever they live, are at the heart of that interconnectivity.

‘Every successful economy in the world engages in the import and export of goods,’ he points out. ‘Trade is the vehicle that lifts countries out of poverty and is the basis for diplomatic and economic relationships that go back centuries in many cases.

‘Yet members of the public and politicians rarely understand the scale of modern society’s dependence upon shipping.

This is one of the biggest challenges we face at Nautilus and our members — how do we create awareness and an appreciation of a largely invisible industry and a largely invisible workforce?’

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In March this year, Nautilus launched three strategic campaigns designed to improve the lives of members and increase awareness of the industry with governments and the public.

Members have already responded in great numbers to a survey on Crew Communications — making it clear that onboard communications need to be improved significantly so that life at sea more closely reflects the level of connectivity seafarers have at home.

Mr Dickinson explains that the survey will help the Union go out to the companies employing members and discuss with them how to jointly look at ways to improve connectivity, enabling seafarers to be in touch with family and friends when at sea.

‘This alone would do much to overcome the current issue of “out of sight out of mind” that seafarers experience,’ he argues.

Mr Dickinson says that the Jobs, Skills and the Future campaign is also working towards a better future for Nautilus members, in which jobs are created, training is enhanced and more financial support is provided by the government

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson recently told a meeting of maritime professionals that current events have made us all-too aware of the old Chinese curse: ‘May you live in interesting times’. He tells Debbie Cavaldoro how Nautilus International intends to find the opportunities in the upheaval and seize the moment to fight for seafarers’ rights…

Mark Dickinson addresses the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots convention last month

to encourage the growth of our maritime skills base.

‘However, this can only happen with commitment from the wider maritime cluster, support from the public and governments delivering on their commitments,’ he stresses.

As part of the campaign, Nautilus is looking closely at the future of automation in the industry and is at the forefront of discussions on the issue.

‘We are arguing for our members to be trained in the new skills needed for new technologies — and harnessing the potential to create better paid employment, reflecting the increasing scarcity of specialist staff to construct, fit out, operate and maintain the new shipping systems,’ Mr Dickinson says.

‘It is interesting to consider what impact there could be on “sea blindness” if the majority of seafarers are essentially land-based in the future — albeit that’s likely to be a long, long way off.

‘It is well known that legislation on a

Mark Dickinson visiting members on Pride of Rotterdam last month

19_mark d_SR edit.indd Sec1:19

global scale such as shipping takes a long time to be developed, agreed and implemented. From when I and colleagues first conceived the Maritime Labour Convention in the early 1990s and raised the matter at the ILO, we were well aware that it would take a long time to deliver. The Convention was eventually adopted in 2006 and only came into force in 2013.

What then, are the implications of legislating for technology which advances so rapidly?

‘Whatever the actual ships of the future look like, we can be confident that new technology will not obliterate the need for seafaring skills and experience.’

Mr Dickinson explains that in the UK there is an immediate need to ensure that the government makes the most of the stated opportunities presented by leaving the EU. ‘At the UK branch conference on 4 October I will be launching a 10-point charter for jobs, calling on the maritime cluster in the UK to work together to deliver opportunities for British seafarers following Brexit,’ he says.

‘We will highlight opportunities for change, including increasing SMarT funding to 100%, reintroducing dutyfree on passenger ferry routes to Europe, ending tenders for our lifeline ferry services, and the development of a tripartite national maritime strategy protecting Jobs, Skills and the Future.

‘Nautilus has invited top speakers from shipowners, government and the maritime cluster to speak at the symposium after the UK branch conference and respond to our jobs charter and the measures laid down within it,’ he notes.

Mr Dickinson says that safeguarding seafaring skills should be an essential part of any self-respecting nation’s mari-

time policy. ‘Maritime experience and expertise has been forged not just over years, but over centuries, and underpins a wide range of associated maritime cluster industries and services — from shipping law to shipbroking, insurance, P&I, classification, and ship management,’ he adds.

‘Yet in many traditional maritime nations, skills which have been passed down over the generations are in danger of dying out, due to the way in which the profession of seafaring has been devalued over the past 50 years.’

P

The recent BIMCO/ICS Manpower Report highlighted once again the disturbing demographics of the global officer population and the industry’s constant struggle to find a balance between supply and demand in volatile markets, he adds. As the long-running efforts to create an effective STCW whitelist have shown, there can also be a conflict between quantity and quality.

Mr Dickinson said these concerns will be at the heart of the next phase of the Jobs, Skills and the Future campaign in the UK. ‘This month we will launch a new element of the campaign, calling for a review of Certificates of Equivalent Competency (CECs). We are calling on the government to look at the distribution of CECs and restrict their use to times when there is a genuine shortage of UK officers,’ he explains. ‘We also hope the government, via the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, will tighten up examination of foreign seafarers to ensure that they meet the same high standards as those who receive Certificates of Competency in the UK. ‘Postcards to send to MPs will be given out with the next Telegraph, so we would

ask each of our members to please look out for theirs and send it off. This activity will be supported by other social networking activity — but in a paperless world it sometimes helps to remind MPs of the world outside Westminster by giving them something they can hold in their hands!’

P

Mr Dickinson says he has asked the chair of the Nautilus Council, Ulrich Jurgens, to visit Aberdeen to investigate the current state of play in the offshore sector and speak ‘maritime professional to maritime professional’ about the issues being faced by members in that sector.

‘The offshore sector remains the largest single sector employing Nautilus members and we need to ensure that the Union is best placed to protect members’ jobs, their terms and conditions and the skill sets which will still be needed when the oil price eventually starts to recover,’ he points out.

On a global level, Nautilus International is working with like-minded unions representing maritime and inland waterways professionals through the Nautilus Federation. ‘The Federation is providing a really solid platform to deliver better representation for maritime professionals, such as by building our representation at the International Maritime Organisation,’ he notes.

‘The Federation will shortly be launching the Joint Assistance and Support Network — JASON. This scheme will deliver real benefits to members of Nautilus International and the other nine members of the Federation, by ensuring that they get effective assistance in accordance with the IMO/ILO Guidelines on Fair Treatment which were developed to prevent criminalisation.

‘Any member of a Federation union will be able to receive union support in any Federation country to the same high standard that they would receive in their own country.

‘I believe trans-boundary trade unionism is the way forward in a globalised world where multinational companies are often more powerful and richer than many nations,’ Mr Dickinson concludes.

‘It is clearer than ever that the reasons which lay behind our original move to become Nautilus International by merging with our Dutch, and then our Swiss, colleagues are as important now as they were then — perhaps even more so.

‘Whatever else unfolds during these “interesting times” may be uncertain, but Nautilus International’s position is clear,’ he emphasises. ‘We remain committed to protecting our members and understand that in this globalised industry we are stronger together. The need for collaboration and cooperation to prevent a “divide and rule” by multinational companies has never been more important.

‘Shipping will go on doing what it always does — dealing with the ups and downs of global trade, adapting to change, and making the new norm work.

As long as the world needs shipping, it will need maritime and inland waterways transport professionals and our increasingly strong collaboration will ensure that they are part of a better future, where quality and professionalism counts.

‘I look forward to meeting as many UK members as possible at the UK Branch Conference in October, and urge them to take the opportunity now to submit a motion to the conference,’ he says.

‘The work of the Union can often seem a long way away from the day-to-day lives of members, and branch conferences offer a real opportunity to ensure the Union is fighting in the arenas, and on the issues, that matter most to members.’ g UK Branch Conference: see page 33.

17/08/2016 17:44

20 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

MARITIME WELFARE

A mission to help mariners relax New England Seafarers’ Mission director Rev Stephen Cushing teaching a new volunteer to use the money transfer and package tracking systems

P

Michael Skaggs

Centres should prioritise ‘soft’ services such as transport to local cultural offerings, advocacy and counselling

“

”

Jason Zuidema

20-21_spread_SR edit.indd 20

The article in the February Telegraph

by International Seafarers Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN) executive director Roger Harris raised a number of points that all of us invested in seafarer’s welfare grapple with on a regular basis.

Easier access to the internet, taller barriers to shore leave, shorter turnaround times, and the continued ignorance of the general public (and funding organisations) to the needs of seafarers combine to make the provision of high-quality welfare services a challenging prospect.

While a comprehensive approach to the next generation of seafarers’ welfare is still in the future, some centres — including several who are members of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) — are addressing today’s challenges with aplomb (and no little amount of success).

Furthermore, there are a number of considerations that any centre can make and energise its services to best support modernday seafarers’ welfare.

Most significantly, centres and organisations must prioritise the ‘soft services’ that they can provide. These services are what seafarers can find beyond the use of centre computers, snack bars, and games tables. They include personal counselling, consultation on advocacy issues (such as wages, working conditions, and so on), and guidance or transportation to local events or cultural offerings when time allows.

In some organisations, these ‘soft services’ include explicit religious services or religious fellowship, although none require seafarers to avail themselves of these amenities. In many cases, simply getting off the ship provides a welcome respite from the stress inherent in living in one’s work environment and offers a chance to interact with fellow crew in a more relaxed setting, away from the oversight of crew leaders.

Mr Harris mentioned the ‘fatigue, social isolation, and separation from loneliness’ engendered by life at sea, and the ‘range of welfare services’ offered by on-shore centres.

However, a partial solution is even simpler: the people providing those specific welfare services often combat that sense of fatigue and loneliness simply by being present and speaking with seafarers.

Rev Marsh Luther Drege, president of NAMMA and executive director of Seafarers International House in New York City, calls this ‘a ministry of presence’ showing

The team at the International Seafarers’ Center in Brunswick: director Valerie Crumpton, volunteer coordinator Robert Randall, and volunteer Cecile Settles

Seafarers relax at the Mariner’s H

What is the future for seafarers’ centres when so many crew m unable to go ashore these days? North American Maritime M director Dr JASON ZUIDEMA and executive assistant MICHAEL techniques can meet new technology… seafarers they are seen, they are known, and they are cared for, even if the chaplain doesn’t have a SIM card to sell or a ride to Best Buy to offer.

Mr Harris generously mentions the New England Seafarers’ Mission, where seafarers can pay a small fee to pick up packages they have had delivered to the centre. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, as the centre realises revenue and the seafarer has a reliable physical address for shipments.

This is only one possibility, however. In what other ways can centres provide a service, even one not typically associated with seafarers’ welfare? Depending on whether a centre is on port property, with all the security implications that such a location may carry, offering a physical address may allow seafarers to conduct affairs otherwise impossible.

Mr Harris writes also of port levies, with the compulsory levy in Kandla, India, and the voluntary levy in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Other centres around the globe enjoy levy support, too, with a mix of voluntary and compulsory levies comprising the welfare contribution landscape.

P

NAMMA recently concluded a survey of its North American members, affiliates, and friends on just this question. The results are illuminating, especially because only one out of the hundreds of US ports imposes a mandatory levy to support port-based seafarers’ welfare provision on incoming ships. This regulatory gap means that some centres collect very little: there is no enforcement mechanism for invoices on voluntary contributions, but those centres almost always serve seafarers whether the ship they arrived on pays up or not. Other centres, however, enjoy substantial and reliable contributions from shipping. What accounts for this difference?

While our final survey report goes into greater detail, the answer is relationships.

Relationships with agents, with port authorities, and sometimes with owners

The Seafarers International House ship visiting team: Rev Marsh Drege, Rev Arnd B Sigrid Erickson, and Ruth Setaro

give seafarers’ welfare organisations prime opportunities to explain exactly how much they fuel happier crews, better relations among crew members, and holistically better-developed men and women of the sea.

Sometimes this benefit can even be illustrated empirically, with numbers of seafarers transported by van to a centre or outside the port facility, numbers of seafarers visited by chaplains, or sales of items like SIM cards. Having a partner on a port authority board or in a shipping agency can facilitate an explanation that providing seafarers’ welfare services is not just a humanitarian project, but also addresses some of the inherent difficulties of the shipping industry, contributes to a more productive atmosphere onboard and enhances the quality of life of crew.

However, Mr Harris also raises an important point: just how significant are seafarers’ centres when more and more seafarers are getting better and more reliable access to the internet while on ship? He

correctly wonders why they wou use centres to make purchases o on transportation to local shopp tasks can be accomplished aboa quandary threatens the many h of seafarers first meeting childr their fathers are at sea over Skyp checking in with family and frie for months. If this can be done f comfort and privacy of one’s cab ashore to a seafarers’ centre?

No doubt, seafarers are affec same, increasing problems as th ubiquitous internet connectivit the unalloyed good it seems at fi Even as seafarers become more with family and friends at home internet connections onboard m to have an isolating effect amon physically work alongside one a Who among us hasn’t been on a restaurant with companions’ ey individual screens and ignorant surroundings? These convenien

17/08/2016 17:45

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 21

MARITIME WELFARE

Port wi-fi survey asking seafarers about their views on internet F connectivity at sea and in port.

Nautilus International is currently running a survey

Although the survey is still open for responses, initial results suggest that 50% of crew members never use a seafarers’ centre when they visit ports — and a huge 95% believe that all ports should provide wi-fi for visiting seafarers.

The survey, which closes in September, has so far been completed by more than 1,500 seafarers in English and Dutch. Feedback so far shows that less than half of respondents have ever had a chaplain or ship visitor onboard their vessel.

A number of respondents compared the situation in many ports with the availability of wi-fi in most high streets.

‘All developed countries should have full wi-fi access at all ports and berths which is free to access for vessel crews,’ said one respondent. ‘At a time when most pubs, all McDonald’s and a whole host of small businesses offer this, it is not unreasonable to expect at least the major ports in each country to meet this basic level of access.’

Another added: ‘Free port wi-fi should be mandatory in the 21st century. If McDonald’s and airports can offer it, why not ports?’

Most respondents were keen to stress that the need for wi-fi in ports, and for seafarers’ centres in general, was marginal anyway when rapid turnaround times are taken into account, and many said they would prefer that their company provided wi-fi onboard to use at all times, whether in port or not.

Whilst the time spent in port was split evenly from six hours to more than a day, nearly 40% rarely or never went ashore.

‘I would prefer for the company to provide good connection so I do not need port connectivity,’ said one respondent.

‘Shore leave is getting ever more scarce as companies and ports become more efficient with cargo operations meaning less time in ports for seafarers to enjoy any of the benefits of why they actually joined this particular industry in the first place,’ added another. ‘Having internet onboard good enough for a quality video call is essential to keeping up relations with partners and family members back home.

Being able to play online games and stream movies would make the dull life of today’s seafarer almost bearable.’

Most seafarers appear to be relying on their own devices to cover the lack of connectivity onboard or in ports, and that is where ship visitors really come into their own.

Almost half of respondents said that providing countryspecific sim cards was one the most important services that ship visitors could provide. Only transportation to the nearest town was considered to be of higher importance.

The cost and speed of connection, where it was offered, was the final area which respondents drew attention to in their comments for survey.

‘Connectivity can be sparse, clunky and very slow, which is exceptionally frustrating if it’s the only source of internet you have available to you,’ one respondent said.

‘Normally where it is provided by the port it is very expensive,’ another added.

‘Ports generate thousands of pounds per day,’ highlighted one respondent. ‘They’ve no excuse not to have high-speed wi-fi that would cost a maximum of a couple of hundred pounds per month.’

And one respondent summed up most comments about wi-fi for seafarers: ‘It should be a legal requirement in ALL countries to provide internet to seafarers.’

ner’s House of Montreal

w members complain of being e Ministry Association executive AEL SKAGGS consider how old

Arnd Braun-Storck,

y would need to ases online, or rely shopping, if these aboard. A similar any happy scenes hildren born while r Skype or simply d friends not seen one from the e’s cabin, why go e? affected by the s as the rest of us: ctivity may not be ms at first glance. more connected home, instant oard may prove among crew who one another. n on a bus or in a ns’ eyes glued to orant of their own enient, onboard

interactions — nurturing though they are of home relationships — can also serve to separate crew from one another, creating an atomised environment lacking in the bonds that might otherwise develop between crewmates.

It is not the place of the industry, of course — or those writing in this newspaper! — to regulate seafarers’ personal use of social media or the internet. We would not tolerate our employer regulating our social media or Internet use on our personal time, so to recommend doing this for seafarers would be a great form of paternalism. Yet concerns about connectivity make excellent points for dialogue on the future of seafarers’ centres. These concerns hint at an existential question: if we are obsessed with, or even afraid of, the rise of the internet onboard ships, then what good are seafarers’ centres to begin with? Are they little more than internet cafés located in ports? If so, not only are we doomed for the future but we have failed up to now.

Mr Harris boldly confronts a dilemma that plagues all too many seafarers’ centres: how to pay the bills? With funding in ever-shrinking supply and volunteer pools likewise diminishing, what does the fiscal future of seafarers’ welfare organisations look like? Private or public funding, actively sought by centres, is one solution; as Mr Harris notes, these sources typically prefer capital projects or contributions that will initiate and sustain discrete endeavours.

NAMMA has found success in this field, with generous supporters fostering more robust chaplain training programs implemented over the course of the Association’s annual conference and other seminars.

Mr Harris rightly observes that many centres simply need an injection to their general operating funds, rendering applications for outside support difficult. A close-grained consideration of what a given centre does, or wants to do, however, might make this process easier. Hiring an assistant

20-21_spread_SR edit.indd 21

director, for example, is not merely an additional line item on the centre’s budget; such an acquisition will free the director to build partnerships, explore new projects for the organisation, and become a betterknown presence in the wider community.

Or perhaps a contribution would allow a centre to reinstate at-cost sales of food and supplies to seafarers; instead of soliciting a grant to the general budget, a centre could request assistance with replacing specific items like furniture, HVAC equipment, or entertainment provisions that otherwise would be paid out of the operating fund.

These are all well-defined projects that grant-making foundations are happy to support. Regardless of the ultimate destination of grant-makers’ funding, these opportunities represent discrete services or facilities offered by seafarers’ centres that foundations are keen to support, because they are interested in humanitarian assistance, strengthening family bonds, addressing the socially isolated, and even furthering the mission of religious organisations.

P

Lastly, Mr Harris notes frankly that ‘chaplains and welfare workers concentrate on pastoral work and do not always have the time, desire, or experience to set up social enterprises’.

While this is true, it need not remain so into the future. In fact, it points to the obligation of both religious and humanitarian organisations to adapt to modern conditions and embrace, rather than shy away from, ‘social enterprises’ that historically have lain outside the wheelhouse of such professionals.

Although their skills traditionally have lain in direct, in-person ministry and assistance, the ‘social enterprises’ Mr Harris mentions necessarily are the future of both chaplaincy and welfare work. Incorporating some of the lessons of modern-day nonprofit operation can help seafarers’ centres come to terms with these challenges.

NAMMA, especially through its MARE Project, seeks to participate actively in the global project to engage seafarers wherever they are, connecting chaplains and other professionals with men and women of the sea by infusing old techniques with new technologies. g We would be happy to hear any comments or thoughts about the future of seafarers’ centres from Telegraph readers — email: executivedirector@namma.org.

Celebrating the Tilbury centre’s new London-themed interior: MNWB chairman Robert Jones (left); PLA chairman Christopher Rodrigues (centre); QVSR chief executive Alexander Campbell Pictures: PLA

Tilbury’s London makeover visiting seafarers huddled by I the locked door at night, shivering as It used to be a place where

they tried to pick up the wi-fi signal.

But the London Tilbury Seafarers Centre now has a warm, welcoming room with 24-hour access — and the rest of its facilities have had an upgrade too.

More than 6,000 seafarers a year visit the centre — which is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from local port and shipping bodies and Christian organisations in the London area. Chaplains based there visit around 1,500 of the ships that come in and out of the port each year.

The centre was officially reopened in mid-July by Christopher Rodrigues, the chairman of the Port of London Authority (PLA), which had teamed up with the Port of Tilbury to provide a £1,500 grant for a new TV and sofas in the 24-hour lounge.

Mr Rodrigues commented: ‘As an Island nation with 95% of our goods moving by sea, we rely on seafarers who supply the UK with food, clothing, fuel, cars, and furniture day and night, 365 days a year.

‘We need to offer them a welcoming place to unwind, catch up with family, speak with a chaplain, and even do their shopping. That’s why the opening of the refurbished centre with 24-hour access is so important.’

The rest of the refurbishment — including work to improve the structural integrity of the centre — was funded by a £25,000 grant from the UK Merchant Navy Welfare

Board (MNWB). At the re-opening ceremony, MNWB chairman Robert Jones said that the money had been well-spent, and praised the centre as offering respite from the ‘harsh metal environment’ of a ship.

The new facilities have been decorated with London-themed art, so that those who are only in port for a few hours can still have a chance to experience a flavour of the capital.

This strengthened connection to London will also be reflected in the day-to-day running of the centre, which has been taken over by the Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest (QVSR) — the maritime mission based in the East End. QVSR chief executive Alexander Campbell commented that many seafarers visiting Tilbury could not expect to return home for many months, and remembered how a crew member had once told him he missed the feel of grass under his feet.

Now that the interior of the centre has been upgraded, there are plans to provide more greenery for the space outside, creating a garden where visitors can relax in the fresh air.

17/08/2016 17:45

22 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

MARITIME CAREERS

Centuries of safe passage A major new exhibition has opened in Liverpool to mark the 250th anniversary of the city’s pilotage service. STEVEN KENNEDY paid a visit…

K

The skills of marine pilots in the Mersey are some of the most impressive in the world — but perhaps the most underrated.

For centuries before the pilotage service was founded, vessels approaching the port of Liverpool suffered catastrophic losses as a consequence of tricky tidal conditions. Sudden rises and falls of the tide left ships grounded on sandbanks, careering down the river sideways or — in the worst case scenarios — sunk to the depths of the riverbed.

As a result of ever-increasing losses of vessels, their passengers, cargoes and crews on the treacherous sands which surround the approaches to the river, a Pilotage Commission was established in 1766. Its role was to choose — and train — the

We want to tell a story about a job most people don’t know exists

“

”

Exhibition lead curator Ben Whittaker specialists who would become Liverpool pilots — a select band who would manoeuvre ships through the Mersey’s dangerous and congested waters.

Now, 250 years later, the spotlight is being shone on the pilots of yesteryear and their 56 modern counterparts in a year-long free exhibition at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

‘It’s called In Safe Hands, and it tells the story of the local pilot service,’ explains Ben Whittaker, the lead curator for the exhibition. ‘It’s the 250th year anniversary of the Liverpool pilot service this year, so it’s quite appropriate that we mark it because they’ve had a big role in the history of the port. They are the second oldest organisation in Liverpool after the town corporation that eventually became the council.

‘What we’ve tried to do is tell their story,’ he adds. ‘It goes all the way from the 1760s to the present day. We’re trying to take it as an opportunity to “big-up” the

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COLLEGE PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

roles of the pilots. I think a lot of people don’t know what marine pilots do; or that it’s even a job that exists.

‘People associate pilots with planes,’ he pointed out. ‘They don’t realise that every time a big ship comes in, bringing the goods that we all take for granted, there usually is a pilot onboard who is ensuring that it gets in and gets out safely. Hopefully, this exhibition will help raise the profile of what the pilots do.’

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Opened to the public on 22 July, In Safe Hands will remain in the museum until 4 June 2017. The exhibition explores the vital role marine pilots have played in navigating ships in and out of the port of Liverpool. Highlighting dramatic examples of where their judgement and bravery have saved lives and cargo from disaster, it shows visitors how the challenging conditions of Liverpool Bay and the River Mersey have caused so many problems for ships over the years.

‘There are a number of things that can make the passage to Liverpool difficult, hazardous and very dangerous,’ Ben explains.

‘What makes it a big challenge is that on a given day it can be really different from the day before, as there are all these different factors and all of them can change when they all come together.

‘It may mean that you are bringing the same ship into the same dock but a week later the conditions could be totally different. So you need a pilot with the local knowledge of those conditions.

Merseyside Maritime Museum, in Liverpool’s Albert Dock

‘There are sandbanks — which if you’re not aware of then you can run aground on. There is also a really dramatic tide in Liverpool twice a day that can be up to 10m or 11m, and if you’re not conversant with that and the need to get in and out of the dock very close to high water, you could end up running aground again. Then there is a strong prevailing wind across the bay and it rains a lot as well. All these things together means it can be a big challenge,’ he adds.

The exhibition is split into four main sections that go through the history of piloting in Liverpool from the early days — the 18th and 19th centuries — right up to the present day.

The wide variety of artefacts and displays include finds from the 1675 wreck of the Royal Yacht Mary and from the submarine HMS Thetis, which sank in Liverpool Bay just before the outbreak of the Second World War, with the loss of 99 lives — including one Liverpool pilot.

‘Pilots had an under-appreciated role in both wars,’ Ben points out. ‘Every time a convoy came in it was pilots that helped to bring them safely into Liverpool. There was a disaster in each war with pilot boats where a lot of pilots lost their lives.

‘In the Second World War there was a ship that ran aground and there were apprentice pilots who were decorated for bravery post-

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22-23_pilots_SR edit.indd 22

Geoff Topp, chairman of the Liverpool Pilotage Service Retired Division

17/08/2016 13:18

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 23

MARITIME CAREERS

The less drama involved, the better a pilot’s day a

Ben Whittaker, lead curator for the pilotage exhibition

humously because they tried to save the lives of some of the pilots. One of the medals that was given is in our display, which is quite a moving thing to have.’

It’s a vast collection of artefacts, and one that has taken time for the museum to bring together.

To make sure the museum did justice to the role of the marine pilots, Ben and his team have worked tirelessly with the Liverpool Pilotage Service to ensure it has something for everyone — from the seasoned seafarer to the young person with a glint of wonder in their eyes about what lies across the water.

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Geoff Topp, chairman of the Liverpool Pilotage Service Retired Division, says the service has played a vital role in the economy of the city and beyond. ‘In today’s world young children don’t realise that something like 95% of the trade into the UK comes in and out of the country by sea,’ he reflects.

‘We have ships coming and going on every tide of every day, twice a day — even on Christmas Day. People may drive past and see the crane from the container terminal, but they don’t see the shipping that comes in and out like they used to do. The interest will also be from a family history point of view, as children will want to know about what their grandparents or great-grandpar-

ents did who were seafarers. It will give them a flavour of what life was like for those who went to sea,’ Geoff notes.

‘What will really interest younger people will be seeing the films of the big containerships and pilots climbing aboard ships,’ he adds. ‘Still today, pilots come onboard using a Jacob’s ladder or a rope ladder over the side. That hasn’t changed in 250 years!’

K

Ben also wants the exhibition to raise awareness.

‘For me personally it’s about getting the awareness out there that Liverpool is still a big port,’ he explains.

‘Each year around 4,500 ships are brought in and out by the pilots. I think a lot of people — even local people — don’t realise how much goes on here, as a lot of the shipping goes on north of the city centre.

‘It’s worth visiting this exhibition, as you’ll learn a number of things you didn’t know before — a lot of unexpected things — and there are a lot of exciting stories in here as well,’ he promises.

‘There are many occasions where pilots have saved ships from disaster and saved many lives, so there is a lot of excitement and a lot of drama in this exhibition.’ g For more information, visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk and search for ‘Liverpool pilots’.

Pragmatic Geoff Rafferty is a retired pilot who — during his career — made thousands of trips piloting vessels safely in and out of the Mersey. But far from revelling in past glory, he is happy to look back on his time on the river as being one without major incident.

Joining the service during the 1960s, Liverpool-born Geoff — now 72 — successfully navigated his way through the eight-years of pilot training before spending the next four decades working on some of the largest vessels to dock in Liverpool.

‘I am from Liverpool, I went to school in Liverpool and went to Liverpool College,’ he explains. ‘I had indicated that I would like to pursue a career at sea. It was really my housemaster who pointed me towards the pilot service — partly because my father had been killed during the war and he did point out that disappearing for months or even years at a time may not be a brilliant idea. He made the necessary enquiries, I did the interview, I was accepted and I was sent off to start my sea time.

‘I joined the pilot service on the River Mersey back in 1960 and retired eventually in 2009.

I served my apprenticeship, and in January 1969 I was licensed, then worked my way up from third class licence to second class and first class, until eventually I was appointed to Atlantic Container Line.

‘I spent a lot of those years working on G3 containers — big vessels — in and out of Gladstone Lock. I suspect I clocked up well over 1,000 trips in the 21 years I worked on them.

I have no idea how many trips I did in total during my career.

It must be thousands. I’d have to sit down and count through every set of tide-tables — which I still have, mind you — so I could work it out but it would take some time,’ he adds.

‘I suppose I was a bit nervous on my first day,’ Geoff admits.

‘It was a long time ago now,

all the problems and extra costs that locks create.’

a

Geoff Rafferty, retired Liverpool pilot

The tide is the main issue. Don’t fight it — use it to your advantage

“

so I can’t exactly profess to remember it entirely. I can remember though it was for a small Dutch ship from one of the docks just down from the Albert Docks. I suspect the master might have realised it was my first job but he was very good and it all went well, so that was it. You just get on with things from there.’

Confident in his abilities to do the job — even from day one — thanks to the training he’d undertaken, Geoff says that the main challenge of piloting of the river was — and still is — the tidal issues. ‘The main

”

challenge is that there is such a high rise and fall in the tide.

It means there is a very strong tide,’ he explains.

‘The tide is the main issue.

It’s no good thinking you’ll fight it. That’s not going to work. You have to use it to your advantage really. Certainly with the containerships you needed the tide to help you do it. You also needed to do it at the right time or you’d end up going sideways down the river — which is not to be recommended. Liverpool has always suffered from the tide.

That’s why we’ve had to have an impounded dock system with

During all those trips Geoff says that it’s hard to put his finger on any moments he’d consider memorable. Not to say Geoff didn’t enjoy the work, because he did — as he was keen to point out — but more that there were so many trips that the role became second nature to him as he rolled with whatever punches the Mersey threw at him on a given day. Looking back, though, he did pick out one trip where he managed to dry-dock a rather important vessel slightly quicker than anyone — Geoff included — expected.

‘It’s very difficult to think of highlights to be honest, because each job was so different,’ Geoff concludes. ‘I can remember a couple of Atlantic Container Lines ships where something broke or we had no thrusters, but I never really viewed them as highlights. It was just part of the job. It sounds a bit blasé but it was. It was something that was happening and you just had to get on with it. Once it was over and the ship was in, tied up and everything was safe, that was it. You walked to shore and got another ship later that day or the following day. That really was it.

‘I seem to remember mooring HMS Edinburgh once from the wet-basin to the drydock and it was a particularly windy day. I remember saying to the tug “whatever you do, don’t get me out into the river too far”.

Anyway, we shot out and straight into the drydock. We were so quick getting into the drydock that even the boatman hadn’t had time to get there. A guy came down and said “That was amazing.” I remember walking to shore thinking “I don’t know what all the fuss is about,” and I think I might have said to him “Well that’s what you pay me for isn’t it? You needed the ship out and in and there it is.”

‘That was it. It was a job.’

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17/08/2016 16:01

24 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

MARITIME HISTORY

Just glad to be of service I

Captain Harry Cater MBE with his daughter Mary

It was 29 July 1956 when the training vessel Moyana was caught in a potentially fatal position some 30nm from the Cornish coast, having run into gale force winds and heavy rain. Onboard that day were 23 crew — most of whom were cadets being led home by Captain Herbert Stewart.

The Moyana was a sailing yacht built in 1899 and converted into a training vessel in 1943. In that fateful summer of 1956, its crew had departed the Portuguese capital of Lisbon in buoyant mood. The young trainees from the Southampton School of Navigation — now part of Warsash Maritime Academy — had just won the international sailing race between Torbay in Devon and Lisbon, and were on the final stretch of their return following their triumph.

Yet nothing could have prepared them for the weather they

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What would follow would be a daring rescue by Capt Cater and his crew after a two-hour dash to the stricken yacht. Upon his arrival at the vessel’s side, he made contact with the Moyana’s captain to understand its condition, threw ladders and nets overboard for the crew to climb over and saved everyone from a watery grave — all undertaken in just seven minutes!

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24_moyana_SR edit.indd Sec2:24

Now, 60 years later, Capt Cater’s daughter has spoken about her father’s achievements.

‘I was an only child and I lived in Birkenhead with my parents and my cousin Patricia,’ says Mary Markwick, now 71. ‘The Captain — as we always called him — was away a lot, but I remember lovely memories of going to the docks to meet him and he came back with coconuts and chocolate frogs from Australia. This was at the time of rationing.

‘He was a family man. We had a dog and he’d always be taking her out. He was a wonderful father.

He used to take me down to the Manchester Ship Canal and other similar places. He could navigate a ship around the world, but when it came to going to out on the Sunday drive and picnic he could never read the map. It was quite ironic really.

‘He used to tell me about his voyages, and I remember him showing me a map of his very first voyage. He had friends all around the world, in New Zealand, Australia and Canada. People would often come to stay with us and he’d go to stay with them when he was over there. He’d always come back with little stories and brought me books. He educated me.

‘He spent a lot of his career in coasting. I can remember him being in China. He’d bring back beautiful ivory and a carpet from India. I can remember him bringing things home and talking about what he’d seen and what he’d done,’ she added.

Capt Cater’s decades of experience proved vital when he answered the Moyana’s distress

elaborate on it too much. He said “You know, that’s what we’re there for. We didn’t realise that there were just boys onboard along with their captain”.’

I

call,. He followed an aircraft — which was dropping flares to mark the way — until the yacht and its crew came into view.

With communication channels not quite as sophisticated as they are today, the message that got back to his family home about what was taking place at sea was not quite the correct one.

‘The phone rang and I went to answer it and they asked for Mrs Cater,’ remembers Mary. ‘After the call my mum came back looking a bit shaken, saying “Oh my goodness, your father’s ship is sinking in the Channel.” We didn’t know quite what to do or say to each other. I said “No, Daddy would never let his ship sink. He’s the captain.” Then the phone rang again to say it wasn’t him that

Following the rescue, Capt Cater became something of a celebrity. Newspapers and radio stations threw offers at him to tell his story.

However, his modesty and quiet nature meant that he would often downplay his role in the rescue.

‘The papers kept ringing up offering him money for the story. He sort of said it was all in the day of the life of a seafarer,’ Mary recalls.

But it wasn’t just the press that would applaud his efforts. ‘The MBE he got was for the rescue,’ Mary adds. ‘He was so proud of it.

He knew he was going to get some award but he didn’t know for ages what it would be.

‘At the ceremony, the Queen asked my dad how many years he’d been at sea and he said 55 years — and she said “Oh my goodness”. She was absolutely gorgeous that day, but I think I was more impressed by the palace loos!

was sinking, it was another vessel, and that he was going to the rescue, which put our minds at rest somewhat.

‘It was an incredible rescue.

It only took seven minutes from throwing the nets over the side to getting all the crew off. When you see the size of the Maclean to the Moyana, one wrong move and he would have just rammed it and capsized it. And it was really rough seas as well.

‘He did tell us about what had happened on the Moyana but he was very reticent about it. He played it down quite a bit. He said they put nets over and rescued the boys, gave them a meal and dried them out. He really didn’t

‘He was immensely proud — we all were — but he was very modest about it. He’d downplay it. He wasn’t the sort of man who liked big social occasions or to make a fuss of things.’

It’s now with a sense of pride and happy memories that Mary looks back at the life of her father and his exploits in the Channel 60 years ago. ‘He didn’t retire from seafaring,’ she concludes.

‘He was still coasting when he had a heart attack and died at 69-years-old on 2 May 1961.

There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. He was a wonderful father and a superb seaman. That’s the person he was.

I miss him every day of my life.’

17/08/2016 12:13

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 25

MARITIME EDUCATION

‘Cadets can still wear uniforms if they want to’ A heated debate has been raging in the Telegraph letters pages over the future of Warsash Maritime Academy.

Don’t worry, says the head of Southampton Solent University, concerns are being acted upon and Warsash’s heritage will be protected while ‘future-proofing’ training…

M

Southampton Solent University’s (SSU) proposals to relocate Warsash Maritime Academy have generated a fair amount of flak.

‘This is a good news story — but there is a danger that it will not be seen as one,’ the university’s vicechancellor, Professor Graham Baldwin, reflects.

A year-long maritime strategy review carried out by the university concluded last year that the upper section of the Newton Road site should be sold off and the teaching transferred to SSU’s city-centre facilities in Southampton.

‘We did expect some negative reaction,’ Prof Baldwin says.

‘I experienced a college closure when I was a student and I understand the emotional attachment to a place and the “head versus heart” response.’

But, he adds, it’s important for critics of the changes to understand exactly why the move is being made and the benefits it will bring.

‘I do accept that we did not communicate it as well as we could have done at the outset,’ he admits.

‘Some people have portrayed it as the university and its senior management not having any interest in the maritime world,’ he notes. ‘However, nothing could be further from the truth. Our strategy is all about making us a world leader in maritime education and training.’

Prof Baldwin also rejects the contention that the university is out to ditch the Warsash ‘identity’ — indeed, he stresses, the long and proud history of Warsash is a ‘unique selling point’ that has global recognition. ‘Warsash is more than a place — it is a brand that can go anywhere,’ he adds.

‘The easy option would have been to stay at Warsash,’ he argues. ‘But there are a number of constraints. It’s a site of special scientific interest, with protected wetlands and listed buildings.

It needs a lot of investment and development which just can’t be done without significant disruption and arguably we should have made the shift 10 to 15 years ago.’

The radical changes in higher and further education and funding over the past few decades have also had a huge impact on

25_ssu_SR edit.indd 25

Professor Graham Baldwin, vice-chancellor of Southampton Solent University

‘Stakeholders told us that they want specialist facilities and a base, and the university is identifying particular buildings that will be the sole preserve of cadets and maritime students,’ he adds.

‘This is an evolution, not a revolution.’

Prof Baldwin says the university also recognised the value of retaining the lower site at Warsash, with its waterfront access.

Plans are being developed to improve the facilities there — with an expanded fire ground and a new pool for sea survival and underwater helicopterescape training.

Noting complaints about the break-up of the Warsash estate, the professor points to the ship handling centre at Timsbury Lake as ‘a perfect example of how you don’t need to have a single site’.

M

Prof Baldwin cites the recent appointment of Captain Syamantak Bhattacharya as director of the university’s school of maritime science and engineering as a tangible sign of its ambitions. ‘Having a highly accomplished seafarer and a highly qualified academic is a demonstration that we are really serious about what we are doing,’ he adds.

Capt Bhattacharya, a professor of maritime management, adds: ‘We want to prepare our cadets and the officers who come back here for further training to not simply be captains or chief engineers but to go on to the many jobs in the wider maritime sector.’

Prof Baldwin also rejects the argument of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ in the Warsash context. ‘While we wouldn’t say it is

broken, it could be described as damaged and it does need attention,’ he argues. ‘We can’t keep looking back to the past. Things are very different today, and maritime education and training is undergoing sweeping changes.

It’s simply not a fair or a realistic comparison to say how good things used to be.

‘Whilst you can never say you have done enough consultation, the work we have been doing has given us the confidence that we have the support for the direction of our travel,’ he concludes.

‘In recent meetings with stakeholders, they have said that while they weren’t sure at the start they are to committing their support for the future. Feelings have changed as we have gone through the process and that is very reassuring.’

The Spark ‒ a new £30m teaching and conference building at Southampton Solent University Picture: Paul Watts/PBWPIX

the university’s plans, Prof Baldwin explains. There’s no longer a big pot of government money, and universities now have to run like businesses, he points out.

New and improved facilities have to be financed through the university’s own surpluses, along with loans and other financing methods. ‘You have to demonstrate to organisations that are lending you money that the project has a sustainable future and will have a significant long-term return on investment,’ Prof Baldwin adds.

Meeting these demands was too much of a challenge on the current Warsash site, he says. In contrast, switching the Academy’s teaching to Southampton will provide cadets and course attendees with ‘future-proof’ new facilities including six new simu-

Former tanker master Professor Syamantak Bhattacharya is now director of SSU’s School of Maritime Science & Engineering

lators and access to other stateof-the-art educational resources, a 24-hour library, excellent sports facilities and high-class accommodation. ‘It’s all about investment, growth, opportunity and a better student experience.’

M

Prof Baldwin says the Warsash move — which may be brought forward to September 2017 to minimise disruption for students — will help to promote deeper synergies between the university’s school of maritime science and engineering, with useful overlaps between the different departments.

The university is deeply committed to ‘real world learning’, he adds, and the maritime provision is not just about cadets but also about a growing range of professional development courses that will help officers progress into specialist maritime-related posts ashore.

Prof Baldwin says the university has listened to the critics and is continuing to consult stakeholders on the plans. A lot of effort is being directed at ways to protect the Warsash ‘brand’, he adds, and the ‘dragon’ logo is still being used on a wide range of material. ‘There is a huge archive of maritime history and memorabilia at Warsash and we have a strong desire to preserve and reflect that.’

‘Cadets will continue to wear uniforms following the move, if that is what they want,’ Prof Baldwin says. ‘That is not unusual — sports students, for example, are also identified by their uniform.

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17/08/2016 13:19

26 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

INLAND WATERWAYS

Flushed with success A new £4.2bn scheme to deal with London’s sewage aims to create a longterm legacy of jobs in the maritime sector, a cleaner Thames and investment in specialist vessels to support the project, Steven Kennedy reports…

O

London is an ever-changing and expanding beast.

More and more people are moving into the UK’s capital and business development is pushing the city’s boundaries further east — into Essex, and along the River Thames.

But development isn’t restricted to above the land, with one project about to start burrowing below the city’s foundations and along a stretch of the Thames.

In doing so, it will not only create more construction jobs, but also help upskill more inland waterway workers for the future.

The project is Thames Tideway — or the ‘super sewer’ — as some have been affectionately calling it since it got the go-ahead back in September 2014. Once constructed, the Thames Tideway Tunnel will be a 25km sewer system — which will run from Acton in the west of London and

under the city, at a maximum depth of 70m, to Abbey Mills in the east. It will help prevent a predicted average of 20m tonnes of untreated sewage discharging into the tidal Thames every year.

‘I think we affect the maritime sector in a number of ways,’ explains Thames Tideway’s asset management director Roger Bailey. ‘Firstly, we will clean up the river so the long-term legacy for the maritime sector on the river will be that it will be significantly cleaner in pollution terms. It won’t look any different — but it won’t have any ecological problems or sewage litter.

‘The fact that the river is cleaner will, in the long-term, enhance the use of the river in line with the Port of London Authority (PLA) vision.’

Construction has started at Chambers Wharf in Bermondsey to extend the site into the river.

STCW Training

Waterborne delivery of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project offices is being carried out by specialist vessels like this one from S Walsh

There’s a jack-up barge in place and work is going ahead to create the new temporary wharf which will then facilitate the main drive shaft that will go in there later in the year. Another jack-up barge and plant is also operating to relocate the Blackfriars Millennium Pier.

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26_tideway_SR edit.indd Sec2:26

of the river that will benefit from the development, Roger is keen to point out. It will also give a muchneeded — and immediate — boost to the economy by offering thousands of skilled jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships — a large proportion of which will be on the river itself.

During construction, Tideway will transport large proportions of its spoil down the river to a number of locations. Not only will this require a fleet of river vessels, but it will also need fully trained and skilled crew to operate the craft.

‘Our project basically replicates the river,’ Roger explains.

‘Instead of sewage going into the river, it will come into our tunnel and it’s captured and treated at our sewage treatment works. Our construction is all the way along the river — which is why we’ve ended up using the river as our main form of transport throughout the project.

‘We’ve now gone from around 50% of spoil being transported by river at the planning stage to more like 70% by river now,’ he adds. ‘For two-way HGV movements, if everything went by road it would be about 500,000 trips.

At the Development Consent Order (DCO) stage we committed to that coming down to 240,000, so that’s about 50%. Now we’re around about 140,000 — so a significant number of HGVs off the road.

‘It’s not been finalised yet where the spoil will end up, but it will be down the river — on the river site — in a number of locations,’ Roger says. ‘We expect all the spoil will go to beneficial use in terms of creating habitat.

‘Investment has been made in the fleet of river vessels. On the west contract the contractors have purchased two new tugs from the continent. Those will involve pushing barges in the western end of the project. We’re waiting for confirmation on the final logistics from the rest of the project, but we do expect there to be a combination of the use of existing craft and the importation of new kit and new methodology.’

Tideway has been working with existing initiatives — like the PLA’s Thames Skills Academy

(TSA) — to ensure that workers will benefit from learning their trade on a large-scale project.

‘Although we’re a big project on the river in London, we’re a small proportion of the overall maritime activity,’ Roger admits. ‘We’re very much a new stakeholder and a new user of the river coming in with the existing users. We’ve always been very mindful that whilst we have very strong commitments to transformation and health and safety, we’ve had to do it in partnership with the existing users of the river and existing supply chain on the river, as those are the people who know the river. It is a highly specialised environment

Roger Bailey, Thames Tideway asset management director

We’re planning to move around 70% of the spoil from construction by river. That’s a lot of HGVs off the road

“

”

and we wanted to make sure our approach was in partnership with the existing users. It’s always good to talk and understand.

‘The PLA’s vision is to increase use of the river in all forms — be it

trade, passenger or leisure — and what we’re hoping is that we can put a very big operation onto the river with well-trained people that’s very safe and delivers a transformational level of river logistics. Then those people who’ve got the qualifications working on Tideway will be well sought-after for a more vibrant river transport scenario to support the PLA’s vision. Our legacy is to set a very high bar of what we’d expect for safety and logistical standards and then, over time, that the benefits of that high bar are felt by the rest of the river community.’

O

To make this dream a reality, Tideway has made significant investment to create modern ship simulators and training programmes which give trainees a realistic set-up for river training without actually stepping foot on the Thames.

‘What we want to do is help improve the robustness of training on the river,’ Roger explains.

‘I’m not saying it’s bad at the moment, but it is variable. There are some firms that are really very good at investing in their people and providing in-house training and there are other firms that don’t do a huge amount. Training has been difficult on the river — as we’ve seen over the last four or five years.

‘We developed a four-day assessment programme using HR Wallingford, which is a ship simulator designed to give the existing and newly trained boat masters an opportunity to showcase their skills,’ he adds. ‘It’s also meant to make sure that we have a consistent high assessment of people’s competency to work on our project.

‘We have a virtual reality simulator of the Thames with tideflows, current timetabled passenger services and variable weather conditions. We’ve invested a significant amount of money in creating this and we’re getting some really good feedback from the users. It’s a massive step forward for everyone.’ g For more information about the Thames Tideway project visit www.tideway.london.

17/08/2016 13:20

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 27

MEMBERS AT WORK

Adventurous career move Nautilus member Peter Thornton has returned to the UK after skippering one the yachts in the 40,000nm Clipper 2015-16 round the world race. He told ANDREW LININGTON how the 11-month voyage affected him and what it’s like to be home after so long…

K

Founded by former Merchant Navy officer turned pioneering yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1996, the Clipper race is the world’s longest ocean adventure, and is also regarded as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.

This year, former Royal Fleet Auxiliary officer Peter Thornton led one of the 12 teams competing against each other in the matched fleet of 70ft ocean racing yachts.

It’s no easy thing — around 40% of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their race.

Peter’s yacht, GREAT Britain, came third overall and he was delighted with that. ‘We aimed for a podium finish and we achieved it,’ he says. ‘The crew deserved it.’

The experience was all that he had hoped. ‘Good in many ways,’ he says. ‘Not only in the enjoyment of the extreme sailing and seeing how much it really does change people’s lives, but one of the most enjoyable elements was being able to share that around the world through the growing media coverage. We could use this to promote the race partners such as the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign, and show how well that fits into what the race stands for, and we could also give the crew’s friends and family the experience of staying involved throughout every up and down the race throws at us.’

Training and preparation proved vital, Peter adds. ‘I would have liked more time to concentrate on this area, but the run-up to the start was tight. The crews have their own lives to live and organise before arriving for their leg of the race. It was obvious to see how much better the sailing was towards the end due to the round the world and multi leg crew who had settled into their roles.

‘Having said that, no matter how much training and prep any of the teams complete, I believe there will always be elements that really test all of the teams. It is ocean racing after all, where bits break and people get tired.’

The race is organised into eight legs, and on each of these there were different crews onboard.

‘There were periods of gelling well, and periods of not so,’ Peter admits. ‘That’s not unexpected due to the differing backgrounds and the complexities of time onboard between circumnavigators, multi-leggers and single-leggers, but also every individual’s reasons for being on the race as

27_thornton_SR edit.indd 27

The GREAT Britain team celebrating crossing the Rio finish line in second place in their first race

well. Some people are naturally more competitive than others, which can be difficult to link in high pressure and tiring conditions.

‘Having a turnover is not as challenging as some may think because it’s all about attitude and effort,’ he stresses. ‘It was obvious to see that even if an individual was not the most experienced sailor, if their mentality was to help in whatever way they could then that made a huge difference — often in a much more significant way than they realise.’

Peter said his yacht performed well. ‘They feel tough and overspecced compared to what they could be — which is what you want in the conditions we faced and who we have onboard,’ he explains. ‘In risk assessing you want to know your weakest links so that you can add extra safety measures and monitor them. This was proven in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race when almost a third of the entries were forced to retire and the entire Clipper 70 fleet completed the race safely and intact. That was a remarkable achievement for the crew, and everyone arrived into Hobart on a high.’

Not surprisingly, conditions on the race varied from calm seas to hurricane force winds. ‘The North Pacific was relentless, and on the third week of the crossing I was actually looking forward to the winds reducing to a steady Gale 8 just for a small respite before the next frontal system roared on through,’ Peter recalls.

‘However, the worst was always when stuck in light and fluky winds with boats less than a mile from you that managed to pick up a little more wind and simply sail away into the distance while you’re still stuck.’

His highlights included completing the first leg into Rio after a gruelling four weeks with a brand new green crew, winning into Cape Town, fourth leg racing around Australia and completing the North Pacific crossing with an intact boat — not to mention ‘racing from Panama to New York and blasting pretty much through the centre of Tropical Storm Colin.

And motoring up the Thames at the end’.

Lowlights were the typical frustrations of racing and the way that sail choice, weather, currents, and failures can set back progress. ‘It’s not so bad when you can work hard and find your way back into the mix, but difficult to find that extra effort to keep going strong when there is seemingly only luck that

Peter Thornton at the helm

GREAT Britain races into Airlie Beach, Australia, finishing second to LMAX Exchange

you have left to make a difference,’ Peter notes. ‘All you can do is continue to sail as best as you can for the duration, no matter how long that may be, and simply get on with it, but it can be tough to keep the boat racing and spirits up. As always, it always happens at night and it’s never just one little thing.’

The Clipper teams have so far raised more than £240,000 for the Unicef charity. Debbie Porter, one of the crew on Peter’s yacht, came up with the idea of producing ‘Sailing is GREAT’ t-shirts,

which raised almost £12,000. ‘We actually have a very limited number of shirts left, so if you want one order quick! They go for a £15 suggested donation plus P&P at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ sailingisgreat.’

What was Peter most looking forward to returning home for? ‘A bit of a rest, for sure, and refresh,’ he replies. ‘Not thinking about the yacht every waking (and most sleeping) moments! Take numerous showers whenever I like!

Going for a surf!’

He says he has learned a huge amount about people management and witnessing human endurance by those who didn’t think they had it in them. ‘If anything, this has fired me up for more racing and leadership expeditions, promoting the UK and around all of this, driving forward my underlying maritime career and interests in “performancerelated satisfaction” — my new buzz term! I just need to figure out how. Any ideas?’

WERE YOU AWARE that following the successul outcome of a judicial review in respect of two Seatax clients, (brought before the Courts by Nautilus in collaboration with Seatax Ltd as expert advisors on the Seafarers Earnings Deduction), it was deemed that the two Seatax clients did have a legitimate expectation in applying the only published Revenue Practice with regard to the application of a day of absence in relation to a vessel sailing between UK ports. HMRC did not want to accept this practice (although referred to in their very own publications) but have now accepted that expectations of a claim based on such practice would be valid until the published practice is withdrawn.

Following on from this, HMRC have now confirmed that this Practice is withdrawn as of the 14 February 2014. Seatax was the only Advisory Service that challenged HMRC on this point.

WHY TAKE CHANCES WITH YOUR TAX AFFAIRS? Let Seatax use their knowledge and 35 years experience to ensure you do not fall foul of the rules Please visit our website for full details of the case.

OUR FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Annual Return ...................................................................................................... £215.00 inclusive of VAT at 20% NAUTILUS members in the UK sailing under a foreign flag agreement on gross remuneration can obtain a 10% reduction on the above enrolment fee by quoting their NAUTILUS membership number and a 5% reduction on re-enrolment.

or ite, e now r W on re ph r mo : fo tails de Elgin House, 83 Thorne Road, Doncaster DN1 2ES. Tel: (01302) 364673 - Fax No: (01302) 738526 - E-mail: info@seatax.ltd.uk www.seatax.ltd.uk

17/08/2016 17:17

28 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

OFFWATCH ships of the past

by Trevor Boult

50 YEARS AGO

with the maritime heritage of Nova F Scotia. To many it brings to mind the

The principal examiner of the UK Board of Trade has expressed concern at the wastage rate among cadets. Captain A.C. Manson told the annual meeting of the Association of Navigation Schools that 1,704 cadets started in 1961 and 1,537 in 1962 but only 1,015 came forward for Second Mate in 1965. He said he hoped that advances in the training and education of seafarers will result in much less wastage in future. The MNAOA raised the question of the large wastage of navigating cadets at the National Maritime Board and expressed the view that one of the contributory factors was the absence of any plan in the practical training of the navigational cadet. Following from this, a new planned progressive training scheme advocated by the Association has now been introduced MN Journal, September 1966

The name Bluenose is synonymous

legendary Grand Banks sailing schooner — a working fishing vessel and unparallelled race winner. The name endures to this day, carried by a succession of different vessels which essentially paid homage to the original.

Bluenose was created specifically for the International Fishermen’s Trophy in response to criticism that the America’s Cup was for yachts rather than working vessels.

Although built to race, the elegant Bluenose had been conceived as a working craft. The greater part of her life was spent in the long-line cod fisheries over the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. She raced only after the fishing season was ended.

Bluenose’s first skipper was Angus Walters, a very successful fisherman who had made a name for himself in the trials for the first Trophy race of October 1920.

The schooner beat all comers with ease.

Competing as Canada’s entrant in the race against the United States defender, Elsie, Bluenose also soundly beat her. Over subsequent years she continued to exhibit her racing prowess.

In 1932 Bluenose sailed up the St. Lawrence and through the Great Lakes to represent Canada at the Chicago Exposition.

In 1935 the schooner was placed third in a British race around the Isle of Wight. The following year Bluenose was fitted with auxiliary diesel machinery. In 1938, in the Trophy race off Massachusetts, she took the trophy outright by winning three of the scheduled five races against her old rival Gertrude L Thebaud. Thebaud was the very last fully-rigged fishing schooner to be built, ending a tradition which spanned three centuries.

In WW2 the U-boat threat was deemed significant to the Grand Banks schooners.

Bluenose was taken out of commission and in 1942 was sold to the West Indies Trading Company, operating in the Caribbean as an inter-island trader until 1946 when she grounded, broke her back, and sank off Haiti.

Even before the war, images of Bluenose had appeared on Canadian stamps and coins, and her loss did not diminish the fond memories of the Canadian people. Thus, in 1963 a replica — Bluenose II — was built for

25 YEARS AGO

Bluenose: beloved schooner and ferry the Oland Brewery as a marketing tool for their Schooner Lager beer brand. The vessel has subsequently served as Nova Scotia’s goodwill sailing ambassador, being acquired by the provincial government for one dollar.

In the 1950s, a lobbying campaign of the federal government advocating a ferry service to replace steamship connections that were not resumed after the war prompted the Canadian Maritime Commission to order the construction of a vessel to connect Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, with Bar Harbour, Maine.

The resulting MV Bluenose, built in Lauzon, Quebec, was a passenger and motor vehicle ferry operated by Canadian National Railways and later CN Marine. She went on to provide ‘a remarkably reliable performance throughout her 26 years of service’. Capable of carrying 600 passengers, 150 cars, and 18

trucks, vehicles were handled via two doors on each side of the hull.

Taking the ferry across the Gulf of Maine saved a driving distance of some 700 miles.

Daily service occurred over the warmer months: tri-weekly generally during other periods.

In 1982 the ferry was replaced by a newer vessel, the 1973-built Stena Jutlandica, renamed MV Bluenose until retired in 1997.

The original MV Bluenose did not operate again in any other sustained maritime capacity and was dismantled in Mexico in 2000. She and her crews had set a standard of service which was maintained for 42 years.

The replica schooner Bluenose II is based at Lunenburg, birthplace of her predecessor, actively promoting Nova Scotia’s maritime heritage and maintaining a link to the legacy of the famous original schooner.

Telegraph prize crossword The winner of this month’s cryptic crossword competition will win a copy of the book In Fingal’s Wake by Trevor Boult (reviewed on the facing page).

To enter, simply complete the form right and send it, along with your completed crossword, to: Nautilus International, Telegraph Crossword Competition, 1&2 The Shrubberies, George Lane,

South Woodford, London E18 1BD, or fax +44 (0)20 8530 1015.

You can also enter by email, by sending your list of answers and your contact details to: telegraph@nautilusint.org.

Closing date is Friday 16 September 2016.

QUICK CLUES 1.

5.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

15.

18.

19.

21.

23.

25.

26.

27.

28.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

28_offwatch_SR edit.indd 28

Across Silent comedian (7) Surrender (7) Ahead of time (5) Plebeian (9) Oversee (9) Laugher (5) Flower (5) Sleep through winter (9) Criticise (9) Joint (5) Neckwear (5) Villain (9) Do up (9) Donut-shaped (5) Valve (7) Money put down (7) Down Torch light on pole (7) Athenian building (9) Band (5) Fed (9) Grass (5) Wagon puller (9) Come together (5) Travelling cases (7)

Regular and random tests for alcohol and drugs are wasteful and ineffective and represent an unjustified infringement of seafarers’ rights, the International Transport Workers’ Federation says. In a new policy document, drafted with input from NUMAST, the ITF notes the increasing frequency of such tests and argues that there should be strict conditions in place for their use. Drug and alcohol abuse is a problem that affects only a small minority of employees, the document states, and should be treated as a medical rather than a disciplinary problem. Pre-employment tests should be used only for safety-sensitive posts, the ITF says, and there should be safeguards in place to prevent discrimination against occasional alcohol users and workers under medication, with an emphasis on prevention rather than punishment The Telegraph, September 1991

10 YEARS AGO NUMAST is backing the results of new research which condemns the lifeboat launching systems used on many ships as inherently unsafe and calls for urgent action to fit safer designs. Conducted for the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the study describes the risk level for seafarers as ‘intolerable’ and recommends that unstable designs of on-load release hooks are withdrawn from service. The report warns that design problems, design variations, inadequate or misleading manuals, poor maintenance and the pressures of minimum manning and limited experience are key factors in many lifeboat accidents, but it argues that the risks will only be removed by the introduction of new and stable on-load hooks and a safety performance specification for lifeboat launching systems The Telegraph, September 2006

THEQUIZ 1

China, South Korea and Japan were the top three shipbuilding nations in 2015. Which country was in fourth place?

2

What is the UK’s approximate percentage share of the global shipbroking market?

3

What is the busiest port in India?

4

In which year was the UK’s National Maritime Museum

opened in London?

5

The ultra-large crude carrier Seawise Giant — which also operated as Happy Giant, Jahre Viking, Knock Nevis, Oppama, and Mont — was the biggest oil tanker ever built. What was its deadweight tonnage?

6

In what year were the first radio broadcasts of weather bulletins for shipping using the defined areas around the coast of Britain?

J Quiz answers are on page 38.

Name: Address:

Telephone:

14.

16.

17.

18.

20.

22.

23.

24.

Folder of work (9) Affianced (9) Whale perfume (9) Ancestry (7) Strike (7) Scope (5) Church top (5) Still abed (3,2)

CRYPTIC CLUES 1.

5.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

15.

Across Goes on ahead of northerner, we hear (4,3) They each have an eye, but that’s not the point (7) Gum might come out in rinse (5) Sounds like a certain belief for head of college (9) Driven triumphantly around in Paris, one Jaguar was an original (9) One way to walk from the butcher (5) Curtain opened to show medic with primate (5) Minion’s laughter conceals

Membership No.:

deadly attack (9) 18. Shins keep moving around rug (9) 19. A spell of sun, initially, then shade (5) 21. Novice terribly sore at not being on the podium (5) 23. It contains papers for open and shut proceedings (9) 25. A claim the prospector has to revise for mineral (9) 26. ‘And pity, like a --- new-born babe / Striding the blast’ (Macbeth) (5) 27. The French say ‘no’ to underskirt, gripping (3-4) 28. Goalie with England cap remembered in Manchester, and part of London (7) Down 1. Attacking player being overfamiliar (7) 2. Have dealings with business partner (9) 3. Am able to join up with old English craft (5) 4. Flower worn with crower to

wake — nonsense! (9) 5. It smells around middle of pit, and such a racket (5) 6. Contain small measure of print and angles to NEWS (9) 7. Flowers half pulled up then put in (5) 8. A bulge in the enemy line of particular importance (7) 14. Based on observation of Marple, ICI involved (9) 16. Guards ordered South African golfer to go and bat without break (9) 17. Feline not looking good with little Albert and family (9) 18. Wise man alone on first day of the week ... (7) 20. ... ay, duets arranged for the second (7) 22. Barber’s held up as half English capital missing (5) 23. Pompous colonel aboard aircraft (5) 24. Alright Bob, they are paid (5) J Crossword answers are on page 38.

17/08/2016 13:20

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 29

MARITIME BOOKS

How one ship’s story encapsulates an era In Fingal’s Wake

By Trevor Boult Amberley Publishing, £17.99 ISBN: 978 14456 48064 to produce a substantial 176-page book on K a lighthouse tender — but this ‘tender tribute’ is

You might wonder how someone can manage

about far more than a single vessel.

Trevor Boult — who was appointed to Fingal as second officer in 1999 and was part of the crew that delivered the vessel to a new owner in the following year — not only tells the history of the ship but provides a marvellous insight into life at sea, navigational aids and the relentless pace of change in the shipping industry.

The last ship to be built by Blythswood Shipbuilding of Glasgow, Fingal entered into service with the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1964 and is described as the last ‘classic’ tender

The ongoing quest to build bigger, at sea and on land Sailing and Soaring

By Willian Miller Fonthill, £19.99 ISBN: 978 17815 53688 but when it comes to ships K and skyscrapers the ‘bigger is better’ Size isn’t everything, they say,

mantra seems to have ruled supreme for many decades. It’s a parallel picked up by prolific maritime author William Miller in his latest work, which spans more than a century in its examination of the biggest buildings and largest passengerships.

With the aid of almost 150 stunning photographs, the book explains the history and technology underpinning the quest to build bigger and higher. It is a quest that went into overdrive at the start of the 20th century, and Mr Miller uses 1908 and the completion of the 47-storey Singer Building in New York as the starting point for his detailed and thoughtful comparisons between skyscrapers and the great liners.

As the skyscraper boom began in the US, transatlantic passenger shipping companies also stepped up their size race. Work on the Singer Building coincided with construction of Cunard’s 790ft, 32,000-ton Lusitania and Mauretania, as Britain tried to head off German competition.

Chapters alternate between the developments on land and those at sea, and it is fascinating to see distinct parallels between the design and furnishings used in both environments. There are also some marvellously iconic images juxtaposing ships and skyscrapers,

29_books_SR edit.indd 29

operated by the General Lighthouse Authorities.

Trevor Boult’s book explains the ship’s significance and why it generated so much affection. His vivid descriptions of Bakelite switches, round-pin sockets, solid woodwork and the candle-like glow of tungsten bulbs in his cabin richly evoke the conditions onboard.

He gives the reader a powerful picture of the skills and expertise needed to operate in frequently testing wind and tidal conditions, tending to buoys in the ‘potentially perilous proximity’ of the hazards they mark.

The book explains the seamanship involved in going into drydock and recovering a buoy— as well as accurately re-placing it in the pre-GPS era — along with the demands of inspecting special lights and fog signals in stormy conditions in the North Sea oilfields.

Scores of excellent photographs illustrating all sorts of activities onboard demonstrate the

including an arresting New Yorker magazine cover and a couple of Cunard adverts which set the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth alongside the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building. This, of course, was the time of the first ‘thousand footers’ — Normandie and Queen Mary — almost matching the 1,250ft-tall Empire State Building.

Rattling through the post-WW2 period, Mr Miller brings in some nice personal observations about his favourite skyscraper and his time on the ‘mega’ ships Oasis and Allure of the Seas. And, concluding with a section on the ‘new’ World Trade Centre in New York, he reflects: ‘The age of sailing and soaring goes on.’

The Heyday of Excursions and Day Trips

By John Megoran Amberley Books, £12.99 ISBN: 978 14456 53891 fwww.amberley-books.com

Little ships that made many happy K holidays British Paddle Steamers:

For the best part of a century, paddle steamers provided people from all walks of life with the chance to experience life on the open waters from ports, resorts and piers from all around the British Isles.

range of work undertaken by the ship, along with the day-to-day lives of crew.

Descriptions of seafarers studying languages or Open University degrees, making musical instruments and practising ‘scumbling’ skills by woodgraining paintwork capture the time and the place to perfection.

And time and place is very much at the heart of this book. Trevor Boult captures the broader changes in ship operations and technology whilst warmly reflecting on Fingal’s brass telegraphs and wooden-decked alleyways.

He’s helped by some fine additional contributions from others associated with the ship — and, notably, the project to convert the vessel into a floating hotel in Leith Docks. Pride of place, however, has to go to a tale from Shona McEachern,

For the most part, everything usually went well on these trips.

However, sometimes it did not, and this book — British Paddle Steamers: The Heyday of Excursions and Day Trips — tells the tales of some of the difficulties and pressures faced.

Across 38 picture-heavy chapters, author John Megoran gives focus to some of the issues experienced by these vessels during the 1800s and 1900s. Issues covered include those caused by the weather and fog, as well as problems with radar and engines.

There are also in-depth looks at specific paddle steamers including Whippingham — a 244ft long steamer that could carry a cool 5,000-plus passengers on certain runs between Portsmouth and Ryde — and the 1906 Monarch craft Alderney.

These selected stories from the heyday of the excursion paddle steamers of the UK give a little flavour of what it was like to be there at the time. In addition, 170 period photographs of the crews and passengers — and the ships

daughter of Fingal’s first master, who tells how her father responded to a cry of ‘money overboard’ by turning the vessel around and recovering a crew member’s pay packet from the sea in force five conditions off the Mull of Kintyre.

Those really were the days.

they sailed on — provide fascinating illustrations of their individual stories.

The author writes from a place of authority. Mr Megoran restored the Kingsway Castle to service in 1985 and sailed as the steamer’s principal captain until as recently as 2012, as well as running the business on the Medway and Thames.

An appealing history of a decent British company Cochrane Shipbuilders Vol 3: 1940-1993

By Gilbert Mayes and Michael Thompson Coastal Shipping Publications, £19.50 ISBN: 978 19029 53755 fwww.coastalshipping.co.uk

K

Now this, readers, is why you come to the Nautilus Telegraph for your book reviews. It doesn’t get

Around the world in 150 dramatic days Supertanker: circumnavigation

By William Gilbert CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, £5.99 ISBN: 978 15328 06667 fwww.createspace.com — turned budding author — K William Gilbert joined his first tramp

In the 1980s, merchant seafarer

tanker as a trainee officer in Houston.

It was a trip that turned out to be a five-month circumnavigation via the Panama and Suez canals.

Supertanker Circumnavigation is the story of that journey and of the tight-knit group of seafarers onboard as the vessel passed through the wonders of far-flung lands and the

crew experiences of the wide variety of local people they came into contact with.

A self-published novel, this 190plus page first-person account paints an exotic picture of that first trip made by Mr Gilbert. It gives an insight into the minds of those he sailed with, as well as his own views of the ship and lands he was sailing in.

The book’s striking front cover artwork — by The Scarlett Rugers Design Agency — draws the reader towards the text.

What it lacks in pictorial content on its inner pages, Mr Gilbert certainly makes up for with his forthright and no-holds-barred writing style.

much more niche than Cochrane Shipbuilders Vol 3, but when this history finds the right audience, they will be richly rewarded.

Cochrane Shipbuilders was a family-run firm in Beverley, Yorkshire, which took a wide range of commissions including minor warships, trawlers, cargo vessels, barges, ocean-going tugs, small river tugs and yachts. The emphasis was on quality rather than quality, meeting customers’ particular requirements rather than churning out standard designs.

With this latest volume of the company’s history, the Cochrane story reaches its conclusion, with the last vessel — Forth Bridge — being delivered in 1992, and all yard and office equipment sold at auction in 1993. Up until this sad end, there is a rich tale of five eventful decades which saw the gradual shift from steam power to diesel engines, advances in trawler, tug and coaster design and the emergence of the offshore oil industry in the UK. Particulars are given of every vessel built by Cochrane in the period, with ship pictures spread liberally around the book’s 160 pages. The fortunes of the company’s workforce are also charted, sometimes in almost comical detail — at one point a timeline notes the year when staff parties were introduced, and later reports on the Cochrane football club’s success in the Barkston Ash cup. Congratulations on 1962, chaps!

All in all, it’s a heartwarming and rather poignant snapshot of a time when Britain was still a force in global shipbuilding. The authors deserve to find a readership — modest, perhaps, but genuinely interested — in return for the time and trouble they have taken on this work.

17/08/2016 13:21

30 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

NL NEWS

Flying Angel Club Schiedam zoekt nog vrijwilligers Reverend Stephen Hazlett neemt afscheid

Werknemers in Offshore Wind: meld u! in contact komen met C (potentiële) leden, die werkzaam FNV Waterbouw wil graag

zijn in de Offshore Wind. Meld u s.v.p. even of u in deze sector werkt. Ook zijn wij op zoek naar contactpersonen, die namens (en met) de bond contact willen onderhouden met onze leden. g Meld u daarvoor via een email aan infowaterbouw@nautilusint. org of bel naar 010-2862979.

Wat speelt er in uw werk?

Windenergie is ‘booming business’.

Baggerbedrijven zetten hun schepen en mensen steeds meer in voor werkzaamheden rond de aanleg, onderhoud en (op den duur) het weer afbreken van windparken. Indrukwekkende schepen worden hier speciaal voor gebouwd, zoals de Aeolus van Van Oord. FNV Waterbouw ziet steeds meer dat werknemers afwisselend in de bagger en in de Offshore Wind werken. Samen met onze leden staan we sterk,

ook in de Offshore Wind sector.

Wat speelt er in uw werk? Hoe zit het met uw arbeidstijden en uw arbeidsomstandigheden? Wilt u ergens over sparren met uw bond?

Of uw bestuurders iets meegeven?

Graag willen wij daarom in contact komen met onze leden (en ook andere werknemers) in de Offshore Wind.

Arbeidstijden discussie

Concreet speelt er op dit moment in uw sector een discussie over arbeidstijden. Is het wenselijk om in de Offshore Wind met ‘4 op 4 af’ roosters te draaien? Graag horen we daar uw mening over. Dan kunnen wij uw belangen zo goed mogelijk behartigen.

Wij komen ook graag een keer langs aan boord om u te ontmoeten en uw werk beter te leren kennen.

Dus laat het ons weten als u de bond op bezoek wilt hebben. g Voor al uw vragen, suggesties en info: infowaterbouw@nautilusint. org of bel naar 010-2862979.

Volg ons op Twitter

Geef uw mening Vorige maand vroegen wij: Denkt u dat ‘Brexit’ goed is voor de scheepvaart?

We schrijven 4 december 2012. Die woensdagvond om 19.20 uur vindt er een aanvaring plaats tussen de autocarrier Baltic Ace en het 135 mtr. lange containerschip de Corvus-J. De Baltic Ace maakt direct water en zinkt binnen het kwartier. Het aantal vermiste opvarenden blijkt uiteindelijk 6 te zijn. Een aantal geredde opvarenden wordt die nacht direct overgebracht naar Rotterdam (4 personen) en Oostende (9 personen).

Reverend Stephen Hazlett, dan nog maar net geïnstalleerd als de nieuwe geestelijk leider van The Mission to Seafarers in Rotterdam en Schiedam, kan meteen vol aan de bak.

schijnt. Regelmatig vaart er een schip langs.

Enigszins nostalgisch kijkt Stephen Hazlett er naar. ‘Ja, dat zal ik gaan missen. Ik heb altijd al een zwak voor de zeevaart gehad. Wat ik het meest zal missen? Het contact met allerlei zeevarenden van ‘all over the world’, zowel op de schepen als in ons clubhuis.

ingericht. Daar wordt soms gebruik van gemaakt ja.’ Jos: ‘Maar je kunt hier ook gewoon komen tafeltennissen, biljarten of tv-kijken.’

Steven Hazlett: ‘Overigens wil ik nog wel even zeggen, dat dankzij Jos en Nautilus, ik veel contacten met de reders en kapiteins heb kunnen aanboren. Het heeft het mij gemakkelijker gemaakt om bij allerlei schepen aan boord te mogen komen, zoals bijvoorbeeld bij de Stena Line en de DFDS ferries. In mijn hart neem ik vier mooie, intensieve, Hollandse jaren met me mee. Het is nu aan mijn opvolger.’

Een nacht om nooit te vergeten

‘Het was een nacht om nooit te vergeten’, blikt de in Belfast geboren Stephen Hazlett terug.

‘Je moet je voorstellen: zo zit je nog aan boord en een kwartier later lig je al onderkoeld in de Noordzee te dobberen en vecht je voor je leven. Ik ben diezelfde avond meteen naar het Havenziekenhuis in Rotterdam gereden en heb daar zo goed en zo kwaad als het dan gaat, getracht de slachtoffers en hun naasten bij te staan. Hoe? Weet je, die vraag krijg ik meer gesteld. Dan zeg ik altijd, ook als ik op een ‘gewoon vlootbezoek’ ga, door te luisteren…

Ik probeer er te zijn voor de zeevarenden. Ze een luisterend oor aan te bieden. Dat wordt altijd het meest gewaardeerd. Je moet niet vergeten dat velen maanden op zee zijn. Weg van huis en haard. En iedereen heeft wel eens zo zijn problemen… Dan is het fijn dat er iemand voor je is, die gewoon even naar je luistert. Even met je praat en ja, indien nodig, ook even met je bidt.’

Contact met zeevarenden

Stephen Hazlett kijkt peinzend voor zich uit over de Maas. Binnenkort verlaat hij Holland en pakt hij een nieuwe uitdaging op in Dumfries, Schotland. We -Nautilus medewerkers Hans Walthie (verslaggever) en Jos Hilberding, vrijwilliger van de Schiedamse Flying Angel Club- zitten met elkaar op het terras van het Delta Hotel in Vlaardingen. Niet ver van het clubhuis in Schiedam. De zon

Links: Reverend Stephen Hazlett, rechts : Jos Hilberding Letse zeeman

Even later zitten we aan de bar in de Flying Angel Club in Schiedam. Een Letse zeeman koopt een sim-card voor zijn mobiel. Dan komen er drie Filipijnse zeelui binnen. Ze bestellen een drankje bij Jos aan de bar en gaan met elkaar aan een tafeltje zitten. Niet snel daarna zijn ze alle drie verzonken in de virtuele wereld van het world wide web. ‘Ja, dat is natuurlijk anders nu dan 25 jaar geleden, toen ik begon als vrijwilliger’, zegt Jos enigszins weemoedig. Toen was er veel meer onderling sociaal contact. Nu zit iedereen op zijn mobiel of zijn laptop te turen. We hebben hier natuurlijk gratis Wifi voor onze gasten. Je moet wel met je tijd meegaan. Vroeger was het hier drukker. Nu komen veel zeelui geeneens van hun schip af. Dat mogen ze niet. Of ze liggen voor de Tweede Maasvlakte te dobberen.’

Contacten dankzij Nautilus

Stephen Hazlett, tevens voorganger van de Engelse Kerk in Rotterdam: ‘Toch zie ik de club nog altijd als het centrale punt voor ons. Hier komt alles tezamen en coördineren we van alles. We hebben boven een kapelletje

Links: Jos Hilberding, rechts: Reverend Stephen Hazlett Melkzaak

De geschiedenis van The Missions begon in 1835 in Bristol. In 1893 strijkt de Mission neer in Rotterdam, aan de Leuvehaven, boven een melkzaak. In november 1947 stelt de directie van Wilton-Fijenoord een clubgebouw ter beschikking in Schiedam. In 1992 wordt hier even verderop een nieuwe club gebouwd.

Daar, aan de Admiraal Trompstraat 1, is de club nu nog steeds gevestigd.

Vrijwilligers gezocht

g The Flying Angel Club in Schiedam draait in hoofdzaak op ruim 25 actieve vrijwilligers. De club is elke avond open, van 18.00 – 23.00 uur. Er is ook behoefte aan nieuwe vrijwilligers. Een bardienst draaien.

Een keer meehelpen met een evenement, etc.

Iets voor u? Neem dan even contact op met de MTS manager David Rainey (tel. 06 48197816).

Of bel tijdens openingsuren het clubhuis: tel. 010-4260933.

Nautilus lid Douwe Pentenga kandidaat YMR het studiejaar 2016-2017 F weer druk bezig met de selectie van

in het teken van de varende praktijk, waar Douwe voor Antony Veder koos, die voornamelijk met gastankers vaart. Hij wil ook graag zijn tweede varende stage, aan het einde van het vierde leerjaar, bij deze rederij voltooien.

Douwe is nu druk met zijn bijbaan als schipper op een sloep in de grachten van Amsterdam. Daar vaart hij behendig toeristen in de rondte door de nauwste grachtjes.

De maritieme sector is voor

Nee 75% Ja 25%

De poll van deze maand is: Denkt u dat stagiairs meer training op simulatoren kunnen doen, om zo het probleem van onvoldoende stageplaatsen te ondervangen? Geef ons uw mening online, op nautilusint.org/nl

30-32_nl_16.8.indd 30

nieuwe jongerenambassadeurs. Deze Young Maritime Representatives (YMR’s) zullen optreden als jongerenboegbeelden van de Nederlandse maritieme wereld.

Nautilus International lid Douwe Pentenga (22), student aan de Hogere Zeevaartschool in Amsterdam is één van de nieuwe YMR kandidaten. Hij heeft er veel zin in.

Douwe: ‘Ik had een bericht zien staan in de Telegraph. Dat er weer nieuwe Young Maritime Representatives werden gezocht. Nou, dat leek me wel wat. Dus ik heb me daarvoor opgegeven. En nu ben ik één van de kandidaten. Best wel cool ja!’

Jongeren enthousiast maken

‘Eind juni heb ik, met andere kandidaten, een pitch gegeven voor een aantal mensen van onder meer Nederland Maritiem Land en de Port of Rotterdam. Dat ging best wel goed ja. Ik heb verteld dat ik al van jongs af

Douwe Pentenga (met baard) tijdens een Nautilus gastles, juni dit jaar, op de Hogere Zeevaartschool in Amsterdam

aan een ‘waterman’ ben. Ik zit niet voor niks ook op de zeevaartschool. En het lijkt me erg leuk om, vooral via de social media, andere jongeren te interesseren voor de maritieme wereld. Nederland is van oudsher een maritieme natie. Daarvoor zijn steeds nieuwe mensen nodig. Door enthousiast te vertellen over mijn ervaringen hoop ik voor de gehele maritieme sector jongeren enthousiast te kunnen maken.’

Zeeschepen door achtertuin

Douwe leefde als kind met zijn ouders op een woonboot aan een zijtak van het Noordzeekanaal. De zeeschepen voeren daar bijna door zijn achtertuin.

Op jonge leeftijd al behaalde hij zijn zeildiploma’s.

Hij doorliep zijn eerste twee studiejaren snel en wist tussentijds ervaring op te doen bij Royal Wagenborg. Het derde studiejaar van de zeevaartschool stond grotendeels

Vakbondslidmaatschap cadeau

Van zijn vader, FNV bestuurder Erik Pentenga, kreeg hij gelijk toen hij zich inschreef op de zeevaartschool het vakbondslidmaatschap van Nautilus International cadeau. ‘Ik lees ook altijd met veel plezier de Telegraph.

Dat onlangs opgerichte Nautilus Jongeren Netwerk lijkt me trouwens ook wel interessant.’ g De bekendmaking van de nieuwe YMR’s zal plaats vinden tijdens de opening van de Wereldhavendagen in Rotterdam ( 2, 3 en 4 september 2016).

17/08/2016 17:46

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 31

NL NEWS

Nautilus International en FNV Waterbouw vakbondszaken belicht, F waarin Nautilus en FNV Waterbouw In deze rubriek worden steeds

een actieve rol spelen ten behoeve van onze leden.

Dit keer gaat het over: Duiken in Nederland

Duiken wordt samen met een aantal andere beroepen gezien als arbeid waarbij een verhoogd risico aanwezig is. Het werken onder overdruk is in Nederland dan ook geregeld in de ARBO wet en regelgeving. In het ARBO besluit zijn eisen aan personeel en materieel gesteld. Deze eisen waren voorheen nader uitgewerkt in de ARBOregeling voor personeel en beoordelingsrichtlijn duik en caissonsystemen voor materiaal.

Het Ministerie van Sociale Zaken en Werkgelegenheid (SZW) heeft echter destijds besloten om de nadere uitwerking van eisen aan personeel en materiaal meer in samenwerking met experts uit het werkveld op te stellen en over te gaan tot certificatie. Dit wordt ook wel de stelselwijziging genoemd.

Certificatie is een van de instrumenten die SZW inzet om veilige en gezonde arbeidsomstandigheden te bevorderen.

Werken onder Overdruk

De eisen aan het personeel zijn hierna door de belanghebbende partijen, verenigd in de Stichting Werken onder Overdruk (SWOD) omgezet in zogenaamd werkveld specifieke certificatieschema’s (WSCS). De WSCS zijn gebaseerd op de internationale norm die geldt voor persoonscertificatie (ISO 17024). Deze WSCS zijn vervolgens vastgesteld door het Ministerie van SZW. Ten aanzien van het materiaal worden de eisen door SWOD in de ARBO-catalogus Werken onder Overdruk opgenomen.

Met de stelselwijziging is het toezicht op de vakbekwaamheidseisen aan personeel in de gehele keten aangescherpt. Dit geldt zowel voor het toezicht op de certificerende instellingen, maar ook voor het toezicht op de certificaathouder.

De certificerende instellingen (CI) stellen tevens eisen aan de kwaliteit van opleidingsinstituten, terwijl het proces van opleiden en certificeren strikt gescheiden wordt.

Duiker en duikploegleider

Ten slotte zijn het beroep van duiker en duikploegleider in Nederland als gereglementeerde beroepen aangewezen door de Minister van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap.

Dat betekent dat duikers en duikploegleiders die niet in het bezit zijn van Nederlandse certificaten vooraf beoordeeld moeten worden door een CI, aangewezen door de Minister van SZW, indien er gedoken wordt binnen het Nederlands territoir.

Er zijn drie certificerende instellingen, namelijk voor de Defensie, Brandweer en de civiele tak. De certificerende instelling voor de civiele tak is het Nederlands Duikcentrum, het NDC CI. Logboek

Het NDC CI houdt toezicht op de certificaathouder. Periodiek wordt getoetst of de certificaathouder nog voldoet aan de eisen van vakbekwaamheid. De NDC CI houdt hiervan aantekeningen bij in het openbaar register van SWOD. Bij een controle door het NDC CI wordt onder andere het logboek gecontroleerd. Er wordt dan gecontroleerd of de certificaathouder voldoet aan de in het certificatieschema vereiste doorlopende beroepservaring. In het logboek moeten alle duiken worden genoteerd, voorzien van een bedrijfsstempel en afgetekend door een op dat moment erkende duikploegleider.

Indien u duikt zonder geldig keuringsbewijs en zonder begeleiding van een op dat moment erkende duikploegleider wordt dit niet erkend voor uw beroepservaring.

Zonder een (erkend) certificaat mag u niet in Nederlandse wateren beroepsmatig duiken. Het is dan ook van belang dat u tijdig een hercertificering aanvraagt. Dit moet minimaal 2 maanden voor afloop van uw certificaat gebeuren.

Nautilus International in Raad van Toezicht

Het NDC CI kent een Raad van Toezicht waarin werkgevers- en werknemersorganisaties zijn vertegenwoordigd. Nautilus International heeft ook een zetel in deze Raad. g Kijk voor meer informatie op de website van SWOD (www.werkenonderoverdruk.nl) en NDC CI (www.ndcci.nl/).

Veel mediabelangstelling voor Protestmars Nautilus en ODV werknemers A

Nautilus International en ODV werknemers hielden 1 augustus onder veel mediabelangstelling een protestmars naar het Provinciehuis Noord-Holland.

Hiermee werd geprotesteerd tegen de gunning ‘outsourcing Bediening kunstwerken’ (operationele bediening van bruggen, sluizen en ponten in Noord-Holland) aan een beveiligingsbedrijf zonder nautische expertise. Nautilus bestuurder Daan Troost overhandigde vervolgens een protestbrief aan Gedeputeerde Staten NoordHolland.

Kort Geding 4 oktober

ODV Maritiem tracht inmiddels via de rechter te voorkomen dat Trigion Services B.V. de brugbediening in Noord-Holland overneemt. Dit Kort Geding dient op 4 oktober. complete opdrachtnemer, met een serieus afgewogen balans van:60% kwaliteitseisen en 40% kosteneis.’

Voor Veiligheid en Echte Banen

Nautilus bestuurder Daan Troost: ‘Wij hebben nu vastgesteld bij de gunning dat de Provincie slechts aandacht heeft besteed aan de kosten.

De 40% norm is doorslaggevend geweest in het besluit de aanbesteding te gunnen aan Trigion. Vervolgens stelt de Provincie met zoveel woorden vast dat ‘Trigion dient te voorzien in aanvullend (naast de meekomende ambtenaren) benodigd bedieningspersoneel dat beschikt over het vereiste opleidingsniveau’.

Met hulp van de Provincie moeten die dan gezocht worden bij ODV Maritiem. Trigion schrijft dus wel in, maar heeft de mensen niet! Verschillen in loon- en arbeidsvoorwaarden, vast dienstverband, concurrentiebeding en tewerkstelling van oudere werknemers worden niet genoemd in de voorgestelde oplossing.’

Aanbesteding een wassen neus

Daan Troost: ‘Is dat nu de

Statenfractie SP stelt vragen

Inmiddels heeft de Statenfractie van de SP in de provincie Noord-Holland schriftelijke vragen gesteld over de gang van zaken aan Gedeputeerde Staten.

betekenis van de leus ‘de Provincie maakt werk van werk’?

Of is deze aanbesteding een wassen neus geworden met ongewisse uitkomst? Er wordt zo een loopje genomen met de veiligheid in Noord-Holland en er

dreigt ontslag voor 120 gemotiveerde en deskundige medewerkers. Wij hopen en verwachten dat de Provincie Noord-Holland tot een nieuwe afweging komt en de gunning doet uitgaan naar de meest

Nautilus prijswinnaar Kevin In this month’s Bakker: ‘Ik wil over een paar Dutch pages: jaar mijn eigen schip’ z Nautilus services: dutch diving

F

Tijdens de Maritime Industry beurs eind mei konden de bezoekers meedoen aan een Nautilus prijsvraag. Hoofdprijs: een draadloze koptelefoon van Sony!

Op de Nautilus stand stond een groot scheepsmodel van een zeegaand containerschip. Dit trok veel bezoekers. Zij moesten raden met hoeveel containers het schip kon worden geladen. Winnaar werd de 19-jarige STC-student Kevin Bakker uit Waddinxveen.

Inmiddels vaart Kevin voor zijn 2e stage op beunschip De Monico.

30-32_nl_16.8.indd 31

z Nautilus wins €27.000 for member

z Boskalis protest z Nautilus prize winner Kevin Bakker

z ODV protest march z The Flying Angel Club Schiedam z Young maritime representative candidate

Lees meer in Binnenvaartnieuws september/oktober

z Call for offshore wind lay reps

Wij hebben Facebook.

Volg ons ook!

Bezoek www. nautilusint.org

Wilt u een groter publiek bereiken? Presenteer uw product of service aan meer dan 15,000 maritieme professionele lezers uit Nederland, ter land en op zee!

Spreek met één van onze vertegenwoordigers om uit te vinden hoe wij u het beste kunnen helpen.

Neem contact op met Joe Elliott-Walker van Redactive Media Group T: +44 (0)20 7880 6217 E: joe.elliott-walker@ redactive.co.uk.

17/08/2016 16:38

32 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

NL NEWS

Protestactie FNV Waterbouw/Nautilus Boskalis: ‘Neem je Sociale Verantwoordelijkheid’ A

Op 17 augustus hield FNV Waterbouw/Nautilussamen met een vijftigtal (kader)leden en hun gezinsleden, en ook met andere bonden een protestactie voor de poort van het hoofdkantoor van Boskalis.

Hier vond op dat moment een Buitengewone Algemene Vergadering van Boskalis Aandeelhouders plaats. Met spandoeken als ‘Boskalis: neem je sociale verantwoordelijkheid’; ‘Fairmount: Stop Uitverkoop Echte Banen! ’ en ‘Denk aan ons gezinsaandeel’ werden de aandeelhouders met hun neus op de feiten gedrukt.

FNV Waterbouw voorzitter en Nautilus algemeen secretaris Charley Ramdas: ‘Deze actie werd primair opgestart door de werknemers van Fairmount Marine waar alle Nederlanders worden gedumpt en (via Anglo Eastern) vervangen worden door werknemers uit lage lonen landen, zoals Filipijnen en Oost-Europeanen. Wij vinden dit onrecht in het kwadraat. Maar ook bij Baggermaat-schappij Boskalis is er sprake van pijn.

Immers 1 op de 3 Nederlandse gezellen en 1 op de 7 Nederlandse officieren verliest zijn baan.

Dit betekent dat er minimaal 60 gezinnen getroffen worden.

En ook bij Smit Salvage gaan er

klappen vallen; er is een reductie aangekondigd voor 22 zeevarenden. Het is daarom goed te zien dat ook een aantal Boskalis en Smit medewerkers zich bij deze actie hebben aangesloten.

We willen met zijn allen een duidelijk signaal afgeven aan Boskalis dat met deze reorganisatieplannen morele grenzen worden overtreden.’

Ontslagplannen voor Fairmount en Boskalis Bagger

Zoals in de Telegraph van augustus al vermeld, werden FNV Waterbouw/Nautilus International op 8 juli door Boskalis geïnformeerd over hun voornemen om de komende drie jaar 24 vaartuigen uit de vaart te nemen. Dit zal volgens Boskalis in 2016, 2017 en 2018 leiden tot verval van 650 arbeidsplaatsen wereldwijd, waarvan naar verwachting 150 Nederlandse dienstverbanden. Dit zijn bruto cijfers, dat wil zeggen dat hierbij nog niet is gekeken naar natuurlijke afvloeiing en herplaatsingsmo-gelijkheden. Medio juli bleek dat vooral de werknemers bij Fairmount, Boskalis Bagger en Smit Salvage hard worden getroffen. Bij Smit Salvage is een reductie aangekondigd voor 22

zeevarenden.

Boskalis heeft ontslag aangevraagd voor al haar34 Fairmount werknemers. Dit zijn allemaal Nederlandse officieren.

De gezellen op de Fairmount schepen worden reeds ingehuurd via agencies. Dit zijn 94 mensen, en ook van hen neemt Fairmount afscheid. Boskalis wil per 01-11-2016 de arbeidsovereenkomsten met alle officieren beëindigen indien herplaatsing niet lukt.

Het voornemen bij Boskalis Bagger is om 60 Nederlandse werknemers te ontslaan. Dit zijn 55 Nederlandse officieren en 5 Nederlandse gezellen. Boskalis Dredging wil hun arbeidsovereenkomsten per 1

oktober 2016 beëindigen. Dit zou betekenen dat ongeveer een op de zes werknemers van het baggerbedrijf zijn baan verliest.

VERONTWAARDIGING GROOT

Op 21 juli bleek op de ledenvergaderingen van zowel Fairmount als Boskalis Bagger dat alle leden verontwaardigd zijn over het voornemen van de werkgever om Nederlandse officieren en gezellen te ontslaan omdat de winst dit jaar even terugloopt.

ENKELE REACTIES LEDEN BOSKALIS BAGGER:

‘Dus we krijgen gewoon een oprotpremie’

‘De manier waarop er gecommuniceerd wordt, is beneden peil’ ‘Betekent natuurlijk verloop soms wegpesten?’

‘Boskalis heeft nog nooit zoveel winst gemaakt…en nu mag je meteen vertrekken..?’

‘Hoezo cultuurverschillen? Als je op een cutter kunt sleutelen, kun je het ook op een hopper’ ‘Als Boskalis je niet meer nodig heeft, word je afgebrand’ ‘Het was altijd een mooi bedrijf, waar gaat het heen nu?’

‘Eerst megawinsten; nu mega afbraak?’

‘Kwalitatief herplaatsen moet makkelijk kunnen’ ENKELE REACTIES LEDEN FAIRMOUNT:

‘In het voorjaar is ons verteld, dat onze werkgelegenheid niet in gevaar zou komen’ ‘Offshore Wind sector is booming; herplaatsing moet mogelijk zijn’ ‘Als er een wil is, kan iedereen herplaatst worden’ ‘Hoezo cultuurverschillen bij herplaatsing: flauwekul…’

‘Ze willen gewoon van ons af’ ‘We varen nu al met giga veel inhuur’ ‘Bij Anglo Eastern is het devies: ‘tijdelijk thuis zitten = niet betalen’ ‘Ze willen de flexschil gewoon

aanmerkelijk vergroten’ ‘Ze waren al langer met een outsourcing onderzoek bezig’ NOODZAAK REORGANISATIE VOORALSNOG NIET AANGETOOND

FNV Waterbouw/Nautilus is nog altijd van mening dat het rationalisatieplan ingrijpende/ verstrekkende consequenties heeft voor onze leden.

Charley Ramdas: ‘De noodzaak van het Boskalis rationalisatieplan is voor ons nog steeds niet aangetoond.

In onze beleving is er sprake van een vrijwillige keuze en geen absolute noodzaak; het bedrijf staat immers niet op omvallen.’

KWALITATIEVE HERPLAATSING MOET MOGELIJK ZIJN

Ramdas: ‘Mocht er uiteindelijk toch gereorganiseerd moeten worden, dan moet binnen een groot concern als Boskalis kwalitatieve herplaatsing mogelijk zijn.

De cultuurverschillen vallen wel mee en zeevarenden kunnen hun werk overal op de vloot doen. Het meeste werk is al uitwisselbaar of kan gemakkelijk geschikt gemaakt worden.’

De aandeelhouders van Boskalis kregen tijdens de protestactie van 17 augustus Ruim 27.000 euro terugverdiend dankzij Nautilus belastingservice een Open Brief uitgereikt Hieronder het eerste gedeelte uit deze Open Brief: Aandeelhouders: Neem uw sociale verantwoordelijkheid!

Op 8 juli werden wij door A Boskalis geïnformeerd over

Geachte aandeelhouder,

het voornemen om de komende drie jaar afscheid te nemen van 650 medewerkers, waaronder 150 Nederlanders!

Fairmount: Stop uitverkoop echte banen!

Een schokkend bericht, vooral voor alle hardwerkende medewerkers, en hun gezinnen, van alle Boskalis onderdelen.

Met name ook voor de medewerkers van Fairmount, waar het plan is om alle Nederlandse officieren te ontslaan en te vervangen door officieren uit lage lonen landen (Filipijnen, Oost-Europeanen) via een payroll bedrijf…?!

30-32_nl_16.8.indd 32

Denk ook aan het gezinsaandeel Alle werknemers en hun gezinnen zullen — als dit bizarre plan doorgaat — hard geraakt worden, zowel financieel als emotioneel.

Een hard gelag, als u zich voorstelt hoe betrokken al deze medewerkers, met hun gezinnen, jarenlang hebben meegebouwd aan het succes van uw bedrijf.

Noodzaak reorganisatie vooralsnog niet aangetoond FNV Waterbouw/Nautilus is van mening dat de noodzaak van dit kille rationalisatieplan vooralsnog niet is aangetoond. In onze beleving is er sprake van een vrijwillige keuze en geen absolute noodzaak: uw bedrijf staat immers bepaald niet op omvallen.

A

Vanuit Singapore

Vraag je er één (ingevuld belastingformulier), krijg je er vijf (gecorrigeerde belastingaangiften)

terug!

Dat overkwam ons lid, werkend voor Acergy en later voor Subsea7, toen hij kort voor 1 september 2015 bij het Nautilus kantoor in Rotterdam langs kwam om zijn belastingaangifte 2014 te laten invullen. Een redelijk eenvoudige aangifte, waarbij als voornaamste problematiek de vrijstelling premie volksverzekeringen langskwam.

‘Geen goed gevoel over’

Eigenlijk te laat, maar toch

Tijdens het samenstellen van de aangifte vertelde ons lid dat hij zijn belastingaangiften in voorgaande jaren door ‘anderen’ had laten invullen. ‘Ik heb daar eigenlijk geen goed gevoel over’, vertelde ons lid ons. Hij vroeg ons hier nog eens naar te willen kijken.

Zo gezegd, zo gedaan. Korte tijd later legde onze belastingspecialist de samengestelde aangiften van 2010 t/m 2013 nog eens goed onder de fiscale loep. De fout was snel gevonden: men was ‘vergeten’ in de jaren 2010 t/m 2103 de mogelijkheid te benutten om vrijstelling voor de premie volksverzekeringen te vermelden in deze belastingaangiften. Omdat de aanslagen allang waren vastgesteld, was het echter onzeker of onze alsnog ingediende bezwaarschriften nog in behandeling zouden worden genomen.

Het betreffende Belastingkantoor Eindhoven stelde hierop vast dat de bezwaren weliswaar te laat waren, maar dat de Belastingdienst toch een uitspraak wilde doen!

Goedwillend, maar vervolgens heel nauwkeurig en streng, heeft de behandeling van de bezwaarschriften vervolgens plaatsgevonden.

Natuurlijk is even het KIK-arrest in de beoordeling betrokken. Het KIK-arrest geeft aan dat de werknemer in dienst van een binnen Europa gevestigde werkgever ook in het land van vestiging verzekerd moet zijn.

Gebeurt dat niet, dan wordt het Nederlands sociaal stelsel van toepassing verklaard en zal ook de heffingpremie volksverzekeringen in Nederland plaatsvinden. Deze bijzondere zaak is nu verwezen naar de Rechtbank Amsterdam om er een nieuwe uitspraak over te doen.

Ons lid verrichtte zijn werkzaamheden voor Acergy en Subsea7. Echter vanuit Singapore.

Met die wetenschap ging de behandeling van de bezwaarschriften over naar een volgend stadium: het in kaart brengen van de werkgebieden in deze jaren. Uit dat onderzoek, gedaan in goede harmonie met de Belastingdienst, bleek dat de werkzaamheden niet altijd in het buitenland plaatsvonden.

Het onderhoud vond veelal plaats in Nederland, als ook afbouwwerkzaamheden, waarbij de bemanning op de Nederlandse werf aan boord was.

Voor deze periodes was ons lid dus wel degelijk verzekerd voor de volksverzekeringen, waaronder de AOW. Uitspraak: restitutie van ruim 27.000 euro!

Eerst in april 2016 is een definitieve uitspraak gekomen in de bezwaarschriften over de jaren 2010 t/m 2013.

Het resultaat: een uitspraak met een totale restitutie van meer dan 27.000 euro!

Bereikt door een goede samenwerking tussen ons lid, de Belastingdienst en Nautilus!

g Vraagt u zich ook weleens af of het wel allemaal goed gaat met uw belastingaangiften? Dan is het altijd goed contact op te nemen met Nautilus: Tel. : 010 – 4771188, of infonl@nautilusint.org

17/08/2016 17:47

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 33

NAUTILUS AT WORK

Wise heads in great debate K

A host of industry experts will be joining Nautilus members in Cardiff in October to debate the future of the UK maritime sector.

Following the Nautilus UK Branch Conference in the morning of 4 October (see below), the Union will be unveiling its new Charter for Jobs, containing 10 actions government and industry must take to respond to the maritime skills crisis.

The launch of the charter will be followed by a symposium on how government and the shipping industry can work together to make the 10-point plan a reality.

The debate will be facilitated by Theresa Crossley, executive director of the UK Major Ports Group. Prior to this role, Ms Crossley was head of shipping policy at the Department for Transport and head of the safety and standards department at the European Maritime Safety Agency in Lisbon.

General secretary Mark Dickinson will then explain the background of the jobs charter and some of the Union’s activities already launched to make it a reality. ‘The outcome of the referendum provides a unique opportunity to set ambitious goals for the

What are our leaders doing about the maritime skills crisis?

Find out at the Jobs, Skills and the Future symposium after the UK Branch Conference… future of the maritime industry in the UK,’ he explained. ‘The result of trade negotiations will be central to how successful the UK can be outside of the EU, and the maritime industry must be central to any trade deal.

‘Therefore, we have set the government, the employers, and stakeholders in the maritime cluster ambitious objectives which will help secure the future of the industry and those working in it.’

Chamber of Shipping chief executive

officer Guy Platten — a former ship’s officer — will address the seminar to explain what his organisation is doing to promote the training and employment of British seafarers.

And Rod Paterson, deputy director at the Department for Transport, who has been charged with implementing the outcomes of the Maritime Growth Study, will be giving the government’s views on the future of the UK maritime sector.

The Union’s deputy general secretary makes up the final speaker on the panel (so far). Marcel van den Broek will be sharing the experiences of the Dutch maritime cluster organisation and how the government, shipping companies, other stakeholders and trade unions work together produce the best outcomes in the national interest.

Nautilus has invited industry leaders and politicians to attend the symposium and join members in the audience to pose questions to the speakers. g To secure your place at the 4 October Jobs, Skills and the Future symposium, please email amcdonald@nautilusint.org. This event is open to all interested parties, whether or not they are Nautilus members.

Cardiff Bay Picture: Thinkstock

UK Branch Conference 2016

Motion proposal form To General Secretary, Nautilus International Head Office, 1 & 2 The Shrubberies, George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1BD (to arrive not later than 1700 Friday 2 September 2016).

We, as full members, wish to submit the following motion for discussion at the 2016 UK Branch Conference of Nautilus International: This UK Branch Conference

Notice (continue on a separate sheet if necessary)

A

Notice having been given under the Rules, the 2016 UK Branch Conference of Nautilus International will be held from 09:15hrs on Tuesday 4 October 2016 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Meridian Gate, Bute Terrace, Cardiff CF10 2FL.

1. Name Mem. No. Company Address

Postcode

Agenda 1.

Signature Date

Welcome Address 2. Name

2. To appoint Tellers

Mem. No.

3. To adopt Standing Orders

Company

4. To approve the Minutes of the 2014 UK Branch Conference

Address

5. To adopt the Branch Report Postcode

6. To consider motions 7.

Signature

Any other urgent business

8. Closing Address

Date The 2014 Branch Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland Picture: Kevin Cooper Photoline 3. Name

Nautilus UK members: submit your motion for Cardiff today!

Mem. No.

K

Signature

Time is running short if you want to table a motion for discussion at this year’s Nautilus UK Branch Conference or to register for financial assistance to attend the meeting.

Due to take place on Tuesday 4 October at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff, the branch meeting is open to UK-based full members of the Union and will include discussions on the UK branch activities report and any motions submitted by members.

The meeting will be followed by an industry seminar on Jobs, Skills and the Future (see above), which will begin after lunch and conclude around 1700hrs.

A limited amount of financial assistance is available for those UK-based full members wishing

33_branch conf_SR edit.indd 33

to attend the branch conference and who otherwise would not be able to make the journey. This will be allocated across the various categories of membership to ensure appropriate representation for each category of membership of the Union.

Arrangements will be made with the hotel for a discounted room rate for members who are not eligible or successful in securing financial assistance from the Union.

The UK national committee is particularly keen to ensure a good turn-out from members residing in Wales (which is why the meeting is being held in Cardiff) and is encouraging young and female members to attend. Meetings of the Nautilus Young Maritime Professionals Forum and Women’s Forum

will be held on the afternoon of Monday 3 October, and members attending those meetings will be able to stay for free to attend the branch conference on the following day. g Motions for debate and decision at the conference need to have the support of four full members and reach the Nautilus head office by 1700hrs on Friday 2 September. Fill in the form on this page or download it from www.nautilusint.org — where you can also find the forms to reserve your place at the conference and to apply for financial assistance. g For further information, contact Adele McDonald at Nautilus head office — tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 or email: amcdonald@nautilusint.org.

Company Address

Postcode Date 4. Name Mem. No. Company Address

Postcode Signature Date

17/08/2016 15:19

34 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

NAUTILUS ELECTIONS

Could you help to steer a course for Nautilus?

Full members (including cadets) are invited to stand for election by 21 November to the Nautilus International Council...

FOR CANDIDATES

A

A First, check there is a vacancy in your category.

Many members are concerned about the challenges ahead in our industry and have ideas for helping Nautilus International to meet those challenges. Members are therefore encouraged to stand for election to the Council, which is the Union’s governing body.

The Council is also the Trustee of the Nautilus Welfare Fund, which is the registered charity administered by Nautilus.

Then fill in the top half of Form A and get four other full members — also paid-up and from the same national branch as you — to add their names, addresses, membership numbers, signature and date of signing in the appropriate space, to reach head office by 1700 hrs on Monday 21 November 2016.

A If you can’t personally get the signatures of your

supporters (they may sail on different ships, for instance) fill in the top half of Form A yourself and send it to head office.

Ask your supporters to fill in Form B and send it in separately — both forms must reach head office by 1700 on Monday 21 November 2016.

All eligible full members will be sent the Council and General Secretary election nomination papers by the deadline of 19 September 2016.

A The Council is made up of serving members like

yourself, each elected to serve a four-year term.

23 of the 32 places will be for members of the UK branch, eight places will be for members of the Netherlands branch, and one from the Switzerland branch.

Elections are held on a rolling basis, which normally means that just about half the Council places come up for election each year.

The table right shows the number of seats and also those vacancies which are for election in 2017.

It also shows the split between NL, CH and UK. Full paid-up members (including cadets) in categories for which there are vacancies (see table far right) are entitled to stand for election.

A

Veel leden maken zich zorgen over de uitdagingen waar onze branche voor staat en hebben ideeën die Nautilus International kunnen helpen bij het aanpakken daarvan. Daarom moedigen wij onze leden aan om zich verkiesbaar te stellen voor de

FOR SUPPORTERS

Council, het bestuurslichaam van de Union.

De Council is ook de Trustee van het Nautilus Welfare Fund, de officiële liefdadigheidsinstelling van Nautilus.

A De Council bestaat uit actieve leden, zoals u, die

elk voor een termijn van vier jaar worden verkozen.

23 van de 32 zetels zijn voor leden van de Britse vestiging, acht voor leden van de Nederlandse vestiging en één zetel voor de Zwitserse vestiging.

De verkiezingen rouleren, wat betekent dat doorgaans nagenoeg de helft van de Council-leden jaarlijks opnieuw moet worden verkozen.

De tabel toont het aantal zetels en de vacatures voor de verkiezingen van 2017. De tabel toont ook de zetelverdeling tussen Nederland, Zwitserland en het VK. Betalende leden (inclusief studenten) in de categorieën waarvoor vacatures bestaan (meest rechtse tabel), mogen zich kandidaat stellen.

A Allereerst controleert u of er een vacature is in

uw categorie. Daarna vult u de bovenste helft van formulier A in en zorgt u ervoor dat vier andere betalende leden (van dezelfde nationale vestiging

VOOR KANDIDATEN

Nomination form A

Nomination form B

Nominatieformulier A

This form MUST be completed by the candidate and in addition may be used by one or more supporters.

It MUST be returned, by 1700hrs on Monday 21 November 2016, to: Nautilus International Head Office, 1&2 The Shrubberies, George Lane South Woodford, London E18 1BD. tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 fax: +44 (0)20 8530 1015

This form can be completed by one or more supporters. More than one form can be used. The candidate MUST, in addition, complete, sign and return a Form A. Forms MUST be returned, by 1700hrs on Monday 21 November 2016, to: Nautilus International Head Office, 1&2 The Shrubberies, George Lane South Woodford, London E18 1BD. tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 fax: +44 (0)20 8530 1015

Dit formulier MOET worden ingevuld door de kandidaat en mag eventueel worden gebruikt door één of meer steunbetuigers.

Retourneer het ingevulde formulier UITERLIJK op maandag 21 november 2016 om 17.00 uur t.a.v.: Nautilus International Head Office, 1&2 The Shrubberies, George Lane South Woodford, London E18 1BD, VK. tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 fax: +44 (0)20 8530 1015

Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS

Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS

Invullen in BLOKLETTERS

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE CANDIDATE

TO BE COMPLETED BY SUPPORTERS

IN TE VULLEN DOOR DE KANDIDAAT

Electoral Category

Electoral Category

Name

Mem No

Kiescategorie

Name of Candidate I wish to support

Naam

Candidate’s Address

Address

Adres

Postcode Postcode

Tel no

Rank

Company

Candidate’s Mem No

1. I wish to support the nomination of the above named for election to the Council in the election category shown. I confirm that I am a full member from the same national branch.

Name

Mem No

I wish to stand for election in the 2017 Council elections. I declare that I am a full member of Nautilus International in the above mentioned category and am in conformity with the rules of the Union.

Address

Signature

Postcode

Tel no

Rank

Company

I wish to support the nomination of the above named for election to the Council in the election category shown. I confirm that I am a full member from the same national branch.

Signature

Date

1. Name Address

Mem No

Name

Postcode Rank Signature

Tel no Company Date

Date

TO BE COMPLETED BY SUPPORTERS

2. I wish to support the nomination of the above named for election to the Council in the election category shown. I confirm that I am a full member from the same national branch.

Tel.nr.

Rang

Bedrijf

Handtekening

Datum

IN TE VULLEN DOOR STEUNBETUIGERS Ik ondersteun de benoeming van de hierboven genoemde voor de verkiezing van de Council, zoals in de categorie verkiezing getoond. Ik bevestig dat ik een volwaardig lid ben van dezelfde nationale branch.

Mem No

1. Naam Adres

Lidm.nr.

Postcode

Tel no

Rank

Company

Postcode Rang Handtekening

Tel.nr.

Bedrijf Datum

Signature

Date

2. Naam Adres

Lidm.nr.

Postcode Rang Handtekening

Tel.nr.

Bedrijf Datum

3. Naam Adres

Lidm.nr.

Postcode Rang Handtekening

Tel.nr.

Bedrijf Datum

4. Naam Adres

Lidm.nr.

Postcode Rang Handtekening

Tel.nr.

Bedrijf Datum

Address

Mem No

Postcode Rank Signature

Tel no Company Date

3. Name Address

Mem No

Postcode Rank Signature

Tel no Company Date

4. I wish to support the nomination of the above named for election to the Council in the election category shown. I confirm that I am a full member from the same national branch.

4. Name Address

Mem No

Address

Postcode Rank Signature

Tel no Company Date

3. I wish to support the nomination of the above named for election to the Council in the election category shown. I confirm that I am a full member from the same national branch.

Nautilus Council Elections 2017

Postcode

Ik stel mij verkiesbaar voor de Councilverkiezingen 2017. Ik verklaar bij deze dat ik een regulier lid (‘gewoon lid’ volgens statuten Nautilus International) van Nautilus International in de bovenstaande categorie ben en aan de regels van de Union voldoe.

2. Name Address

34-35_elections.indd 34

Lidm.nr.

Name

Mem No

Address

Postcode

Tel no

Rank

Company

Signature

Date

Name

Mem No

Postcode

Tel no

Rank

Company

Signature

Date

Nautilus Council Elections 2017

Councilverkiezingen Nautilus 2017

17/08/2016 15:19

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 35

NAUTILUS ELECTIONS als u) hun naam, adres, lidmaatschapsnummer, handtekening en datum op de aangewezen plaatsen invullen. Stuur dit formulier dan op naar het hoofdkantoor, waar het uiterlijk om 17.00 uur op maandag 21 november 2016 binnen dient te zijn.

Wahl in den Council zur Verfügung zu stellen, der das leitende Organ der Gewerkschaft ist.

Der Council ist zugleich Treuhänder des Nautilus Welfare Fund, einer eingetragenen und von Nautilus verwalteten Wohltätigkeitsorganisation.

A Als u zelf de handtekeningen van uw supporters

A Der Council besteht aus dienenden

niet kunt verkrijgen (bijvoorbeeld omdat ze op andere schepen varen), vult u de bovenste helft van formulier A zelf in en stuurt u dit naar het hoofdkantoor.

Vraag uw supporters om formulier B in te vullen en dit apart op te sturen. Beide formulieren dienen het hoofdkantoor uiterlijk om 17.00 uur op maandag 21 november 2016 te bereiken.

Alle in aanmerking komende betalende leden krijgen van de Council en van de General Secretary de benoemingsdocumentatie toegestuurd vóór de uiterste datum van 19 september 2016.

A

Viele Mitglieder sind besorgt über die Herausforderungen in unserer Branche und haben Ideen wie Nautilus International diese Herausforderungen erfolgreich meistern kann. Die Mitglieder sind daher dazu aufgerufen, sich für die

Seefachleuten, wie du selbst; die Mitglieder des Council werden für eine Amtsperiode von vier Jahren gewählt. Von den 32 Sitzen sind 23 reserviert für die Mitglieder der Sektion in Grossbritannien, acht Sitze für diejenigen der niederländischen Sektion und ein Sitz für ein Mitglied der Schweizer Sektion.

Wahlen für einen Sitz im Council werden kontinuierlich abgehalten. Sprich: Alle zwei Jahre steht die Hälfte der Sitze des Council zur Verfügung.

Die Tabelle zeigt die Anzahl der Sitze und auch die für die Wahlen in 2017 frei werdenden Sitze.

Die Tabelle zeigt zudem die Aufteilung zwischen Grossbritannien, den Niederlanden und der Schweiz.

Vollwertige Mitglieder (einschliesslich Kadetten) in den Kategorien, in denen Sitze frei sind (siehe Tabelle rechts) sind berechtigt, sich zur Wahl zu stellen.

VOOR STEUNBETUIGERS

A Prüfe zuerst, ob es in deiner Kategorie eine Vakanz gibt. Fülle dann die obere Hälfte des Formulars A aus und finde vier weitere Vollmitglieder — die deine Mitgliedsbeiträge ebenfalls vollständig bezahlt haben und der gleichen nationalen Sektion angehören wie du — die dich unterstützen und in den entsprechenden Feldern ihre Namen, Adressen, Mitgliedsnummern, Unterschriften und das jeweilige Datum der Unterzeichnung angeben; das Formular muss spätestens bis Montag, 21. November 2016 um 17 Uhr im Hauptsitz eintreffen.

2017 Elections

A Wenn du die Unterschriften deiner Unterstützer

nicht persönlich einholen kannst (weil diese beispielsweise auf anderen Schiffen dienen) fülle die obere Hälfte des Formulars A selbst aus und sende es dann an die Zentrale.

Bitte deine Unterstützer, das Formular B auszufüllen und es separat einzusenden — beide Formulare müssen bis spätestens Montag, 21.

November 2016 um 17 Uhr im Hauptsitz eintreffen.

Alle teilnahmeberechtigten Vollmitglieder erhalten die Nominierungsunterlagen für die CouncilWahl und dessen General Secretary spätestens am 19.

September 2016.

FÜR KANDIDATINNEN & KANDIDATEN

Total UK Seats Seats

NL Seats

Total No. 2017 Total No. of Seats Vacancies of Seats

CH Seats

2017 Total No. 2017 Vacancies of Seats Vacancies

Category 1. Navigators, inc.

Shipmasters

13

10

5

3

1

0

0

2. Engineers inc.

ETOs/Elec/RO

11

9

6*

2

1

0

0

3. Ratings

2

1

0

1

1

0

0

4. Inland Navigation

2

0

0

1

0

1

0

5. Other Particular Categories inc.

Hotel Services & Shore-based members

4

3

2

1

1

0

0

TOTALS

8 4 32 23 13 1 0 * including 2 by-elections for 2 yr period

FÜR UNTERSTÜTZER

Nominatieformulier B

Nominierungsformular A

Dit formulier kan door één of meerdere steunbetuigers worden ingevuld. Er kunnen meerdere formulieren worden gebruikt. Daarbij MOET de kandidaat een Formulier A invullen, ondertekenen en retourneren. Retourneer het ingevulde formulier UITERLIJK op maandag 21 november 2016 om 17.00 uur t.a.v.: Nautilus International Head Office, 1&2 The Shrubberies, George Lane South Woodford, London E18 1BD, VK. tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 fax: +44 (0)20 8530 1015

Dieses Formular MUSS vom Kandidaten oder der Kandidatin ausgefüllt werden und kann darüber hinaus von einem oder mehreren unterstützenden Mitglieder verwendet werden.

EINGABESCHLUSS: Montag, 21. November 2016, 17.00 Uhr, an: Nautilus International Head Office, 1&2 The Shrubberies, George Lane, South Woodford, London GB-E18 1BD, Grossbritannien. tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 fax: +44 (0)20 8530 1015

Dieses Formular kann von einem oder mehreren Unterstützer(n) ausgefüllt werden.

Mehrere Formulare können verwendet werden. Der Kandidat/die Kandidatin MUSS zusätzlich das Formular A ausfüllen, unterschreiben und zurücksenden.

EINGABESCHLUSS: 21. November 2016, 17.00 Uhr, an: Nautilus International Head Office, 1&2 The Shrubberies, George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1BD, Grossbritannien. tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 fax: +44 (0)20 8530 1015

Invullen in BLOKLETTERS

Bitte in BLOCKSCHRIFT ausfüllen

Bitte in BLOCKSCHRIFT ausfüllen

VOM KANDIDATEN bzw DER KANDIDATIN AUSZUFÜLLEN

VOM UNTERSTÜTZER AUSZUFÜLLEN

Wahlkategorie

Wahlkategorie Name des Kandidaten/der Kandidatin, den/die ich unterstützen will

IN TE VULLEN DOOR STEUNBETUIGERS Kiescategorie Naam van de kandidaat die ik ondersteun

Name

Adres van kandidaat

Mitgliedernummer

Adresse

Postcode

Postleitzahl

Lidm.nr.

Postleitzahl

Tel

Funktion

Unternehmen

Ich möchte für die Wahl des Rats 2017 kandidieren. Ich bestätige, dass ich bei Nautilus International ein Vollmitglied in der oben genannten Kategorie bin, und die Bedingungen der Statuten und Reglementen erfülle.

Adres

Postcode

Tel.nr.

Rang

Bedrijf

Handtekening

Unterschrift

Datum

2. Ik ondersteun de benoeming van de hierboven genoemde voor de verkiezing van de Council, zoals in de categorie verkiezing getoond. Ik bevestig dat ik een volwaardig lid ben van dezelfde nationale branch.

Naam

Adresse des Kandidaten/der Kandidatin

Lidm.nr. kandidaat

1. Ik ondersteun de benoeming van de hierboven genoemde voor de verkiezing van de Council, zoals in de categorie verkiezing getoond. Ik bevestig dat ik een volwaardig lid ben van dezelfde nationale branch.

Naam

Nominierungsforumular B

Lidm.nr.

Adres

Mitgliedernummer des Kandidaten/der Kandidatin

1. Ich unterstütze die Nominierung der oben genannten Person für die Wahl in den Rat. Ich bestätige, dass ich ein vollwertiges Mitglied der gleichen nationalen Sektion (CH) bin.

Name

Mitgliedernummer

Adresse

Datum

VON DEN UNTERSTÜTZERN AUSZUFÜLLEN Ich unterstütze die Nominierung der oben genannten Person für die Wahl in den Rat. Ich bestätige, dass ich ein vollwertiges Mitglied der gleichen nationalen Sektion (CH) bin.

1. Name Mitgliedernummer Adresse

Postleitzahl

Tel.

Funktion

Unternehmen

Unterschrift

Datum

2. Ich unterstütze die Nominierung der oben genannten Person für die Wahl in den Rat. Ich bestätige, dass ich ein vollwertiges Mitglied der gleichen nationalen Sektion (CH) bin.

Name

Mitgliedernummer

Adresse

Postcode

Tel.nr.

Rang

Bedrijf

Handtekening

Postleitzahl Funktion Unterschrift

Datum

3. Ik ondersteun de benoeming van de hierboven genoemde voor de verkiezing van de Council, zoals in de categorie verkiezing getoond. Ik bevestig dat ik een volwaardig lid ben van dezelfde nationale branch.

Naam

Lidm.nr.

Adres

Postcode

Tel.nr.

Rang

Bedrijf

Handtekening

Lidm.nr.

Adres

Postcode Rang Handtekening

Tel.nr.

Bedrijf Datum

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17/08/2016 15:19

36 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

APPOINTMENTS Polaris Marine Services Looking for an enthusiastic team of divers for a number of exciting opportunities in the UK Civil and Inspection industry. Please forward CV including dates of qualiŵcation and medicals to alan@polarisservices.co.uk

CV Professionals Maritime & oσshore specialists www.cvprofessionals.co.uk

Join us in bringing knowledge, help and hope to the nations!

OM Ships, a worldwide worl charity, is looking for qualified engin engineering officers, mechanics, fitte and welders to volunteer fitters ser on their ship Logos Hope to serve which is presently in the Far East.

For details visit www.omships.org or email: recruiting@omships.org

SHORE BASED SHIP MANAGEMENT Technical Superintendent - Tanker Hamburg - €95K Technical Superintendent - Tanker Glasgow - £60K Vessel Manager - LNG London - £70K Technical Superintendent - LPG UK - £65K

14 September 2016 is the closing date for October 2016.

You can still advertise online at any time.

TANKER AND LNG SEAGOING

Housekeeping Stewardess 100m+ Motor Yacht - €2.2K/mth

Master - LPG/VLGC $85-90.5K + Company Bens

Stewardess 80m+ Motor Yacht - €2.5K/mth

&KLHI 2IƂFHU &KHPLFDO 7DQNHU $70-72K + Company Bens

Deckhand 100m+ Motor Yacht - €2.5K/mth

Chief Engineer - LPG $85-90K + Company Bens

Purser 70m+ Motor Yacht - €6K/mth

2/E - LPG/VLGC - $10-10.8K/mth

Sr Deckhand 100m+ Motor Yacht - €3.2K/mth

Technical Superintendent - VLCC Cyprus - €85K + Bens

Nautilus International advises members that some crewing agencies may not be advertising specific positions, but instead may be seeking to develop their databases of job hunters.

YACHT

Chief Stewardess 60m+ Motor Yacht - €5.5K/mth

Owners Representative - Tankers London - £90K

NOTICE TO READERS

3/E - LPG - $42-44K + Company Bens

CRUISE Chief Engineer - Cruise - €66K 1st Engineer - Cruise - £43K

3rd Engineer 100m+ Motor Yacht - €4.5K/mth

2nd Engineer - Cruise - €50K

6DIHW\ 2IƂFHU 2IIVKRUH 9HVVHOV KSA - Tax Free Pkg

Service Stewardess 100m+ Motor Yacht - €2.6K/mth

2nd ETO - Cruise - £32K

Technical Superintendent - RO-RO Glasgow - £55K + Pkg

Deckhand 50m+ Motor Yacht - €2.5K/mth

Executive Pastry Chef - Cruise - $50K

Marine Superintendent - Tankers Glasgow - £55K + Pkg

Stewardess 60m+ Motor Yacht - €2.5K/mth

Technical Superintendent Cruise - Hamburg - £85K

Technical Superintendent - Dredgers UK South - £55K + Bens

Operations Manager Yachts - Europe - €65K+

Marine Superintendent Cruise - Hamburg - €80K

Ship Operations Manager (Technical) Hampshire - £55K + Bens

Technical Manager Yachts - Europe - €60K+

Safety Superintendent Cruise - Europe - €75K

Shorebased: +44 (0)23 8020 8840 shipping - uk@faststream.com

Seagoing: +44 (0)23 8020 8820

seagoing - uk@faststream.com

2nd Engineer - Cruise - £37K Chef de Partie - Cruise - £15K Senior Doctor - Cruise - $150K

Search for ‘Faststream Seafarers’ @faststreamsea www.faststream.com

NOT A MEMBER OF NAUTILUS INTERNATIONAL? Join now on our website Fill out the online application at: www.nautilusint.org

SEAHAM HARBOUR EST. 1898

MARINE PILOT A vacancy exists for a Trainee Marine Pilot based at the Port of Seaham.

Applicants should as a minimum hold a recognized certificate of competency (Deck Officer) and have relevant ship handling experience.

Previous pilotage experience an advantage.

Attractive employment package.

Applications in the first instance to :Mr Tom Pattison, Seaham Harbour Dock Company, Seaham, Co.Durham, SR7 7NZ or email: tompattison@seaharbour.com

Nautilus recruitment.indd 36

As a member of Nautilus, don’t forget you have access to the Nautilus Plus member benefits scheme, offering you fantastic discounts on a wide range of products and services.

Fand discounts designed to support members, both personally and professionally. With the latest UK Nautilus Plus is a special package of benefits

car registration plates available from September, let Nautilus Plus help you buy the new model you’ve been dreaming of, with a couple of extra motoring essentials: Exclusive car discounts — Audi, Volkswagen, Ford, Mercedes Nautilus Plus has teamed-up with Motor Source Group to offer savings of up to 30% off the RRP on a range of brand new cars. Finance, part-exchange, nationwide delivery and franchise dealership handover are all available.*

Exclusive new car savings for members from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Affinity Scheme provides Nautilus members with exclusive savings on their range of new cars. Exceptional promotions are now available on new Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Abarth and Jeep cars, and Fiat Professional vans.

Multi-car immediate-family accident cover free to you as a Nautilus member In the event of a non-fault accident caused by an identifiable third party, Total Motor Assist give you UK-wide accident recovery, car repair and like-for-like replacement, plus driver and passenger cover.

You pay no charges, no excess and you don’t lose your no claims bonus*.

Vehicle servicing and MOTs Vehicle Servicing Manager uses the UK’s Premium Quality network of independent garages to deliver average savings of 50%, on all your car servicing and repair requirements, compared to the prices charged by main dealers and franchised garages. With VSM you can also save 45% on the cost of your next MOT*. g Members can access these benefits, plus many more, via Nautilus Plus on the main Nautilus website: www.nautilusint.org

*Terms and conditions apply to all benefits. See website for details. Offers subject to change without notice. Nautilus Plus is managed on behalf of Nautilus by Parliament Hill Ltd.

Leading Marine Recruitment Specialists We are seeking all ranks of seafarers, offshore and shore based personnel and in particular:

Your first port of call Address: First Floor Unit 7, Hythe Marine Park, Shore Road, Southampton, SO45 6HE UK Telephone: +44(0)23 8084 0374 Email: recruitment@seamariner.com

Senior Deck and Engineering Of½cers - All vessels All Of½cers and Crew - ERRV Tug/Multicat Crew - All ranks Various shore based personnel All Crew for temporary assignments If you would like further information in registering with Seamariner or you would like to discuss your crewing requirements, please contact one of our experienced consultants.

www.seamariner.com

ISO9001:2008 accredited and KvK and MLC compliant Reg Co number: 2745210

16/08/2016 12:54

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 37

APPOINTMENTS

PLOT YOUR NEXT COURSE WITH US Excellent opportunities exist within our fleet of Oil, Chemical, LPG and LNG Tankers for various positions including:

MASTERS - CHIEF OFFICERS CHIEF ENGINEERS - SECOND ENGINEERS ELECTRO TECHNICAL OFFICERS - GAS ENGINEERS To view all current vacancies and for further information, please visit our manning agent website: www.nmms.co.uk.

Or send full CV to: recruitment@nmms.co.uk

MASTERS / CHIEF OFFICERS / CHIEF ENGINEERS / SECOND ENGINEERS / ETO / GAS ENGINEERS

Where’s my Telegraph?

If you have moved recently, your home copy may still be trying to catch up with you.

To let us know your new address, go to www.nautilusint. org and log in as a member, or contact our membership department on +44 (0)151 639 8454 or membership@ nautilusint.org The membership team can also cancel your print copy.

Ca reers at Sea Ambassadors

MARITIME COURSES

FOR MORE INFORMATION E maritime@blackpool.ac.uk T 01253 779 123 W blackpool.ac.uk/nautical

Volunteer as a Careers at Sea Ambassador

STCW UPDATING 2017

and you’ll visit local schools or youth groups to give

Personal Survival Techniques Updating £165 | Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting Updating £200 | Advanced Fire Fighting Updating £175 | Proficiency in Survival craft & Rescue Boat £200 | The above four courses can be booked as a 4 day package £680* 1 Day MCA Approved FRB updating course with Capsize drill £245 2017 AVAILABLE COURSE WEEKS 16, 17, 23 Jan | 6, 7, 20, 27 Feb

a first-hand account of life in the Merchant Navy.

Contact Paul Wade on +44 (0)20 7880 6212 or email paul.wade@ redactive.co.uk to find out how Nautilus Telegraph can work for you.

with a long established reputation for being a leading provider of training to the Maritime industry.

Masters Orals: 12 Sep 2016, 24 Oct 2016, 9 Jan 2017, 27 Feb 2017, 2 May 2017, 19 June 2017 | Chief Mate: 12 Sep 2016, 16 Jan 2017, 8 May 2017 | HND to Chief Mate: 12 Sep 2016, 16 Jan 2017, 8 May 2017 | FD to Chief Mate: 24 Oct 2016, 9 Jan 2017, 27 Feb 2017, 2 May 2017, 19 June 2017 | ECDIS Generic: 9 Jan 2017, 30 Jan 2017, 15 May 2017, 19 June 2017 | HELM (M): 5 Sept 2016, 12 Sept 2016, 10 Oct 2016, 21 Nov 2016, 28 Nov 2016, 5 Dec 2016, 12 Dec 2016, 6 Feb 2017, 27 Mar 2017, 3 Apr 2017, 10 Apr 2017, 17 Apr 2017 | NAEST (M): 28 Nov 2016, 5 Dec 2016, 12 Dec 2016, 13 Feb 2017, 3 Apr 2017, 10 Apr 2017 | VTS Operator (2 Weeks – VTS Induction and Simulator) : 7 Nov 2016, 20 Mar 2017, 10 July 2017 | VTS Refresher : 22 Nov 2016, 14 Mar 2017, 4 July 2017 |

Advertise with and reach over 110,000 readers

FLEETWOOD NAUTICAL CAMPUS - CELEBRATING 125 YEARS IN 2017

Whether you’re running a stand at a careers fair or giving a presentation, the Ambassador programme will provide all the materials and support you need — and the children and young people will be excited to hear about your experiences at sea.

To find out more, go to: www.careersatsea,org/ambassadors email: enquiry@careersatsea.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION E offshore@blackpool.ac.uk T 01253 779 123 W blackpool.ac.uk/offshore

/FleetwoodNauticalCampusOffshoreOperations

If you are interested in working at Fleetwood Nautical Campus, call 01253 50(4760) to register your interest or for information on current vacancies.

or call: +44 (0)20 7417 2825

WWW.BLACKPOOL.AC.UK

NOT A MEMBER OF NAUTILUS INTERNATIONAL? Join now on our website Fill out the online application at: www.nautilusint.org Nautilus recruitment.indd 37

17/08/2016 15:52

38 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

SHIP TO SHORE

M-Notices M-Notices, Marine Information Notes and Marine Guidance Notes issued by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency recently include: MGN 536 (M) — Amendment 1: Safety Management Code for Domestic Passenger Ships A minor amendment has been made to MGN 536, which was first summarised in the September 2015 edition of the Telegraph. As readers may remember, the aim of this note is to provide guidance to owners and operators of UK domestic passenger ships on how to comply with the audit and self-assessment requirements of the Safety Management Code for Domestic Passenger Ships, as set out in the amended Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1869(M).

The key points of MGN 536 are as follows: z there is a requirement for the MCA to carry out a company or office audit, and some preparation work will be required for this z the onboard audits, while less frequent, shall also be pre-planned and operators will be required to demonstrate compliance with the code

including emergency preparedness z there is a requirement for companies to carry out self-assessments to review their own systems The note also takes the opportunity to explain how companies should undertake their annual self-assessment and conduct a review of their safety management system at intervals not exceeding three years. Checklists for these procedures are supplied with the note in Annexes 1 and 2, and this is where the August 2016 amendment is to be found: the checklist under Annex 1 has been updated to align with the requirements of Domestic Safety Management.

MGN 555 (M) — Lifeboats, rigid rescue boats, launching appliances and on-load release gear: authorisation of service providers This note reminds readers that the MCA no longer approves individual service providers wishing to conduct statutory work on lifeboats, rigid rescue boats, launching appliances and on-load release gear onboard UK ships.

The UK no longer, therefore, has any independent lifeboat service and testing organisations. Instead, the MCA accepts service providers authorised by the original equipment manufacturer or one of the UK’s Recognised Organisations listed in MSN 1672.

MGN 555 clarifies some of the procedural issues for the authorisation of service providers, and stresses that ship operators must check that their service providers have the correct authorisation.

The IMO is in the process of reviewing SOLAS Chapter III Regulation 20 and MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 to make clearer the responsibilities of relevant personnel at each stage of the life of equipment, and the MCA will update MGN 555 as and when any changes become applicable. zM-Notices are available as electronic documents or as a set of bound volumes. zA consolidated set of M-Notices is published by The Stationery Office.

This contains all M-Notices current on 31 July 2015 (ISBN 978 01155 34034) and costs £210 — www.tsoshop.co.uk zIndividual copies can be downloaded from the MCA website.

Go to www.gov.uk/mca and click on Find marine (M) notices. zEmail alerts can be sent automatically whenever an M-Notice is published or updated. To set this up, follow the instructions in MIN 515 (M+F) — Guidance for subscriptions to safety bulletins and MCA document notifications on GOV.UK.

Want to keep your job in 2017? Then read on!

It’s time to get your papers out and start checking whether your UK certificate of competency will still be valid when STCW 2010 comes into force…

A

Nautilus is urging members to take note that the countdown has begun to new rules that will require additional training to be undertaken to keep UK certificates of competency valid for service

after 31 December 2016.

The new requirements are being introduced as part of the ‘Manila amendments’ to the Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping (STCW) convention, which were agreed at an

international conference in 2010. g Members are encouraged to refer to the relevant M-Notices or alternatively contact the professional and technical department: protech@nautilusint.org

FOUR MONTHS TO GO UNTIL 1 JANUARY 2017 HELM course or acceptable equivalent

DECK UPDATEE TO TO 010 STCW 2010

(e.g. sea service)

ECDIS certificate caat ate te ach achie achi achieved chie hie h after 1 January 2005 to avoid endorsement oid idd negative nega neg

HELM course or acceptable equivalent

ENGINE UPDATEE TO TO 010 STCW 2010

(e.g. sea service)

High Voltagee certifica certificat certificate ertific ertifica tifi ifi or qualifying sea void oid idd negative ne n neg service to avoid endorsement

NEW FICATE ICATE CAT CATE A AT CERTIFICATE

In addition: seatime re requirements for re eva vallilid lidati — 12 months revalidation in preceding five years or three months in preceding six months plus valid ENG1.

5

In addition: appropriate ta tanker endorsements — su ubj bjec ectt to revalidation. subject

6 To serve as an ETO certification is required...

ETO

4

alternati lterna t terna — otherwisee alternat alternative designation, ctrical trical rical icall En E such as Electrical Engineer

Refresher training — R rrequired e every five yeear arss for fo certifi c years cates held.

Dependent upon rank (support/ operation/management) and duty — for example, Fast Rescue Craft certificate.

Member meetings and seminars Nautilus International organises regular meetings, forums and seminars for members to discuss pensions, technical matters, maritime policies and legal issues. Coming up in the next few months are: g Professional & Technical Forum Tuesday 27 September 2016 at 1300hrs for 1330hrs in Hull.

The Forum deals with a wide range of technical, safety, welfare and other professional topics of relevance to all members, including training and certification.

The meeting is open to all members (UK, NL & CH).

Contact Sue Willis: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 protech@nautilusint.org

Contact Nautilus International Nautilus International welcomes contact from members at any time. Please send a message to one of our department email addresses (see page 17) or get in touch with us at one of our offices around the world.

For urgent matters, we can also arrange to visit your ship in a UK port.

Please give us your vessel’s ETA and as much information as possible about the issue that needs addressing.

SINGAPORE Nautilus International 10a Braddell Hill #05-03 Singapore, 579720 Tel: +65 (0)625 61933 Mobile: +65 (0)973 10154 singapore@nautilusint.org

Northern office Nautilus International Nautilus House, Mariners’ Park Wallasey CH45 7PH Tel: +44 (0)151 639 8454 Fax: +44 (0)151 346 8801 enquiries@nautilusint.org Offshore sector contact point Members working for companies based in the east of Scotland or UK offshore oil and gas sector can call: +44 (0)1224 638 882 THE NETHERLANDS Postal Address Nautilus International Postbus 8575 3009 An Rotterdam Physical Address Nautilus International Schorpioenstraat 266 3067 KW Rotterdam Tel: +31 (0)10 477 1188 Fax: +31 (0)10 477 3846 infonl@nautilusint.org

FRANCE Yacht sector office in partnership with D&B Services 3 Bd. d’Aguillon 06600 Antibes, France Tel: +33 (0)962 616 140 nautilus@dandbservices.com www.dandbservices.com SPAIN Yacht sector office in partnership with dovaston C/Joan de Saridakis 2, Edificion Goya Local 1A, Marivent 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain Tel: +34 971 677 375 recruitment@nautilusint.org www.dovaston.com

College contacts Induction visits See www.nautilusint.org event section for dates of upcoming college visits by the Nautilus recruitment team.

For further information, email recruitment@nautilusint.org or call Lee Moon on +44 (0)151 639 8454.

Industrial support for cadets An industrial official is appointed to each of the main nautical colleges.

In addition the industrial department is responsible for representing trainee officers in line with all

members that we represent; please contact the Union on +44 (0)20 8989 6677. Your enquiry will then be directed to the relevant industrial organiser for your employer/sponsoring company.

The union also facilitates a Young Maritime Professionals Forum to provide an opportunity for young members to engage in discussions on the specific challenges facing young workers in the maritime profession.

For further information, members should contact Danny McGowan at ymp@nautilusint.org.

g Women’s Forum Monday 3 October 2016 at 1000hrs UK Branch Conference 2016 Radisson Blu, Cardiff, Wales The Forum provides guidance to Nautilus Council on the challenges facing women in the industry and encourages female participation in Union activity.

Open to all female members.

Contact Lisa Carr: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 women@nautilusint.org

Quiz and crossword answersACDB Quiz answers 1. The Philippines was the world’s fourth largest shipbuilding nation in 2015.

2. The UK’s share of the global shipbroking market amounts to approximately 26%.

3. Mumbai (Nhava Sheva) is by far India’s busiest port, handling around 40% of the nation’s container trade.

4. The first weather broadcasts for shipping were broadcast from the Air Ministry in London in 1924.

5. Built in 1979 and scrapped in 2009, Seawise Giant was of 564,650dwt.

6. The National Maritime Museum was formally established by an Act of Parliament in 1934 and opened to the public in April 1937.

Crossword answers Quick Answers Across: 1. Chaplin; 5. Succumb; 9. Early; 10. Underling; 11. Supervise; 12. Hyena; 13. Tulip; 15. Hibernate; 18. Discredit; 19. Elbow; 21. Scarf; 23. Scoundrel; 25. Embellish; 26. Toric; 27. Tetrode; 28. Deposit.

Down: 1. Cresset; 2. Acropolis; 3. Layer; 4. Nourished; 5. Sedge; 6. Carthorse; 7. Unite; 8. Baggage; 14. Portfolio; 16. Betrothed; 17. Ambergris; 18. Descent; 20. Wildcat; 22. Ambit; 23 Spire; 24. Not up.

This month’s cryptic crossword is a prize competition, and the answers will appear in next month’s Telegraph.

Congratulations to Nautilus member Bill Jamieson, who has won the prize draw for the August cryptic crossword.

Cryptic answers from August Across: 1. Ambience; 4. Aspiring; 10. Bagatelle; 11. Aisle; 12. Eyebrow; 13. Trellis; 14. Catch; 15. Nicotine; 18. Mandible; 20. Rusty; 23. Perturb; 25. Abstain; 26. Crumb; 27. Leeboards; 28. Rudeness; 29. Adonis.

Down: 1. Ambience; 2. Leg rest; 3. Watershed; 5. Spectacle cases; 6. Image; 7. Insulin; 8. Grease; 9. Blowing bubbles; 16. Threshold; 17. Hypnosis; 19. Aground; 21. Sharron; 22. Spacer; 24. Urban.

To suggest an organisation which could appear here, email telegraph@nautilusint.org

Maritime & Coastguard Agency +44 (0)23 8032 9100 www.gov.uk/mca Implements the UK government’s maritime safety policy and works to prevent the loss of life on the coast and at sea.

International Transport Workers’ Federation +44 (0)20 7403 2733 www.itfglobal.org A federation of over 700 unions representing over 4.5 million transport workers from 150 countries.

Merchant Navy Welfare Board www.mnwb.org Umbrella body for the UK maritime charity sector, promoting cooperation between organisations that provide welfare services to merchant seafarers and their dependants within the UK.

Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport + 31 88 489 00 00 www.ilent.nl Dutch maritime authority (separate from Dutch coastguard).

Merchant Navy Training Board www.mntb.org.uk UK organisation promoting maritime education and training, and providing careers guidance.

Administers the Careers at Sea Ambassadors scheme, under which serving seafarers can volunteer to give careers talks in UK schools.

Seafarers UK (formerly King George’s Fund for Sailors) +44 (0)20 7932 0000 www.seafarers.uk Supports and promotes UK charities helping seafarers from the Merchant Navy, Royal Navy and fishing fleets.

Often organises places for maritime fundraisers to enter marathons and other charity challenges.

38_infosprd.indd 38

SWITZERLAND Gewerkschaftshaus, Rebgasse 1 4005 Basel, Switzerland Tel: +41 (0)61 262 24 24 Fax: +41 (0)61 262 24 25 infoch@nautilusint.org

UK Head office Nautilus International 1&2 The Shrubberies, George Lane South Woodford, London E18 1BD Tel: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 Fax: +44 (0)20 8530 1015 enquiries@nautilusint.org

Useful organisations

Swiss Maritime Navigation Office +41 (0)61 270 91 20 www.smno.ch Swiss maritime authority.

g Young Maritime Professionals Forum Monday 3 October 2016 at 1000hrs UK Branch Conference 2016 Radisson Blu, Cardiff, Wales The Forum provides guidance to Nautilus Council on the challenges facing young people in the shipping industry and on the issues that matter to them.

Open to all young members (UK, NL & CH).

Contact Danny McGowan: +44 (0)20 8989 6677 ymp@nautilusint.org

International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network +44 (0)300 012 4279 www.seafarerswelfare.org Global organisation providing a 24 hour, year-round multi-lingual helpline for all seafarers’ welfare and support needs, as well as an emergency welfare fund.

SAIL (Seafarers’ Information and Advice Line) 08457 413 318 +44 (0)20 8269 0921 www.sailine.org.uk UK-based citizens’ advice service helping seafarers and their families with issues such as debt, benefit

entitlements, housing, pensions and relationships.

Seafarers’ Hospital Society +44 (0)20 8858 3696 www.seahospital.org.uk UK charity dedicated to the health and welfare of seafarers.

Includes the Dreadnought health service.

Seafarers Link +44 (0)1752 812674 www.communitynetworkprojects.org Telephone friendship project connecting retired UK seafarers at home through a fortnightly telephone conference service.

Seatax Ltd +44 (0)1302 364673 www.seatax.ltd.uk Company providing specialist tax advice for merchant seafarers.

Marine Society +44 (0)20 7654 7050 www.marine-society.org UK charity dedicated to the learning and professional development of seafarers.

Offers 120,000 books to ships through its library service, plus distance-learning programmes and scholarship schemes, including the Nautilus Slater Fund.

17/08/2016 15:55

September 2016 | nautilusint.org | telegraph | 39

JOIN NAUTILUS

The face of Nautilus Thomas Cardy, Council member

g

Thomas Cardy is one of the newest members of Nautilus International’s governing body, the Council, having been voted in during last year’s elections.

Presently serving as a second officer in the UK Border Force fleet of cutters, he was bitten by the seafaring bug when he spent three months on the sailing training ship Pelican of London after graduating from Reading University with a degree in war, peace and international relations.

‘I had grandparents who had been at sea — one in the RN and one in the Merchant Navy, and I joined the RN unit at university,’ he says.

‘Initially after graduating I couldn’t find a job and I read in a paper about Adventure Under

Sail and the opportunity to be a crew member onboard Pelican of London.

‘My experience showed me the appeal of being at sea and I asked the master what qualifications you needed for the job,’ Thomas explains. ‘I then went for a cadetship at Warsash Maritime Academy and spent the next seven and a half years working as a cadet and a junior officer with Carnival UK.’ He moved to the UK Border Force earlier this year. The government agency — part of the Home Office — is responsible for frontline border control operations at sea, air and rail ports and its cutters are used for coastal patrols and vessel interceptions and searches.

‘I wanted the opportunity to learn a new set

of skills, and the law enforcement side of the work was very attractive and I also liked the idea of having a more stable work/life balance, working two weeks on and two weeks off,’ Thomas adds.

Thomas joined Nautilus when he began his cadetship and got involved with the Union when a Partnership at Work committee was set up at Carnival UK. ‘I volunteered to be one of the first delegates and did it for five years,’ he says. ‘It was a privilege to be in the position of representing members and trying to shape the long-term future.

‘The partnership process can be a long slog and takes a lot of hard graft on both sides, but it is good to have the opportunity to be part of

that and to make a positive difference,’ he adds.

That desire to be part of changing things for the better was a key factor in Thomas’s decided to stand for Council. ‘I would like to see the Union making best use of cutting-edge communications for a diverse membership working globally and to interact with members in a way that is seen as the template for other organisations,’ he says.

In his spare time, Thomas pursues many maritime-related interests — including training to become a commissioned officer with the Royal Navy Reserve and as a trustee of the Sea Cadets in Hove. And he still maintains links with the Pelican of London, where it all began for him.

Wherev er you are , so are we Join now

CALL NOW TO JOIN NAUTILUS ON: UK: +44 (0)151 639 8454 NL: +31 (0)10 477 11 88 CH: +41 (0)61 262 24 24

Join today so we can be there for you too!

Pay and conditions Nautilus International is the first truly trans-boundary trade union for maritime professionals, reflecting the global nature of the industry. We negotiate with employers on issues including pay, working conditions, working hours and pensions to secure agreements which recognise members’ skills and experience, and the need for safety for the maritime sector.

Legal services Nautilus Legal offers members a range of legal services free of charge. There are specialist lawyers to support members in work related issues and a number of non-work related issues. The Union also has a network of lawyers in 54 countries to provide support where members need it most.

Workplace support Nautilus International officials provide expert advice on work-related problems such as contracts, redundancy, bullying or discrimination, non-payment of wages, and pensions.

Certificate protection Members are entitled to free financial protection, worth up to £118,500, against the loss

39_infosprd.indd 39

of income if their certificate of competency is cancelled, suspended or downgraded following a formal inquiry.

training. The Union is affiliated to the TUC in the UK, FNV in the Netherlands and SGB/USS in Switzerland.

Extra savings Members can take advantage of many additional discounts and benefits organised at a local level. These include tax advice, insurance discounts and advice on pension matters. In the Netherlands, discounts are organised through FNV, and trade union contributions are mostly tax-friendly, entitling members to receive a significant part of their contributions back.

In touch As a Nautilus International member, help is never far away — wherever in the world you are.

Officials regularly see members onboard their ships and visit cadets at college. Further support and advice is available at regular ‘surgeries’ and conferences. The Union has offices in London, Wallasey, Rotterdam and Basel.

There are also representatives based in France, Spain and Singapore.

International representation Nautilus International represents members’ views on a wide range of national and international bodies including the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations (IFSMA).

We work at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on key global regulations covering working conditions, health and safety and

Join us today…

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Your union, your voice The Union represents the voice of more than 22,000 maritime professionals working in all sectors of the industry at sea and ashore — including inland navigation, large yachts, deepsea and offshore.

For members, by members Nautilus International is a dynamic and democratic trade union offering members many opportunities to become actively involved and have your say — at a local, national and international level.

17/08/2016 15:56

40 | telegraph | nautilusint.org | September 2016

NEWS

Charity coffee puts the spotlight onto seafarers launch by an international F maritime charity of a special coffee Nautilus has welcomed the

that highlights the role played by seafarers in delivering key commodities around the world.

BySea coffee — pictured right being launched at Lloyd’s Register Global Technology Centre in Southampton — is a commercial first for the Sailors’ Society, with 100% of profits raised being ploughed back to support its work on behalf of seafarers and their families.

The coffee is ethically sourced and fair trade, with the first two blends coming from India and Brazil — specifically chosen as the Sailors’ Society is expanding its work in these countries.

Stuart Rivers, the charity’s CEO, said: ‘More than 90% of everything we own and use comes by sea, by seafarers who are typically away from home for nine to 12 months facing violent storms, loneliness, isolation and even piracy and terrorism.

‘BySea, even just by the name, reminds us of the journey our coffee has made before it reaches our cup,’ he pointed out.

‘Sailors’ Society will be 200 years old in 2018 and looking to the future we are finding ways of diversifying our income; everyone needs coffee so this is a way every individual, office and church can help support the work we do.

‘Coffee was an obvious place

to start,’ he added. ‘But we aren’t content with coffee as our only product and have lots of exciting plans for the future.’

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson commented: ‘We’ve been pushing strongly for some years now to make the fair trade link to the shipping industry and this is an excellent social enterprise initiative which makes the connections in a positive and meaningful way.

‘We wish the Sailors’ Society good luck with the scheme and hope that it succeeds in highlighting the lack of recognition for seafarers in the current fair trade certification process.’ g Visit www.bysea.org for more information.

Fresh calls for the UK to U-turn on ETV cuts Government urged to reconsider risks after semi-submersible runs aground in Outer Hebrides

P

Nautilus has intensified its calls for the UK government to reinstate emergency towing vessels (ETVs) around the UK coast following the grounding last month of a semisubmersible oil platform off the west coast of Scotland.

The 17,580gt Transocean Winner grounded at Dalmore on the Isle of Lewis after a line connecting it with the Dutch-flagged anchorhandling salvage tug Alp Forward broke in rough seas while being towed from Norway to Malta.

The platform was carrying 280 tonnes of diesel and has been closely monitored by a counterpollution team after reports that

some fuel had leaked. Salvage efforts are underway, but experts have suggested it may take several weeks before Transocean Winner can be shifted.

The incident has prompted renewed warnings about the impact of the government’s decision to cut the number of ETVs around the UK coast from four to one. Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson commented: ‘The government only agreed to retain the use of Herakles in Orkney last month and this highlights how important that decision was. I hope the government looks closely at this incident and reconsiders the risk for other

coastal areas of the UK not served by government-funded ETVs.’ Western Isles MP Angus Macneil said he was calling for ministers to explain why the rig was being towed in severe winds west of the Hebrides and about the response time and distance the Orkney-based ETV Herakles had to travel to the scene. ‘Once again our waters were under threat and we are fortunate that the grounding of this oil rig posed no risk to life,’ he added. ‘However, this could have been a very different outcome and the UK government must return the ETV to Stornoway. I have long argued that a tug is an insurance policy from an

unusual but statistically possible event.’

SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said he was concerned that Herakles was in the region of 14 hours away at the time of the incident. ‘Since the number of emergency towing vessels based in Scotland has been cut from two to one, this community has repeatedly warned of exactly this kind of incident, where a large vessel or rig gets in to difficulty on the west coast of Scotland,’ he added.

‘Clearly the priority now has to be minimising any environmental threat, and I know that the emergency services are working very hard to achieve this. How-

ever, this raises serious questions which I will now be taking up with UK ministers.’

Salvors from the Dutch firm Smit Salvage were last month working on ways to safeguard the oil tanks before any operation to refloat the rig commences.

Hugh Shaw, the secretary of state’s representative for maritime salvage and intervention, said work was also underway to carry out a multi-beam survey to identify the safest route for moving the rig.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has also confirmed that it has begun an investigation into the incident.

Ministers urged to act on ID by the Philippines to introduce a F state-of-the-art identification system Nautilus has welcomed a move

for its seafarers.

The Union says the UK should follow its lead in establishing an electronic registration process that aims to ensure compliance with the international convention on seafarers’ identity documents, ILO 185.

The Philippines said its universal identification system for Filipino seafarers aims to be ‘acceptable to all government agencies and port states in compliance with relevant conventions’.

Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson commented: ‘As more countries come into line with ILO 185, we are hopeful that problems such as shore leave restrictions will be eased.

It’s therefore essential that the UK acts quickly to ensure that British seafarers are not left behind.’ g News of the Philippines scheme follows a US report which shows that just over 10% of seafarers visiting US ports last year were unable to get shore leave — see page 10 for the full story.

‘Neo-panama’ first for London ‘neo-panama’ vessel to visit A the Thames since the opening of the Pictured becoming the first

expanded canal is the 95,497gt MSC Sofia Celeste.

The Panama-flagged ship made an inaugural call to London Container Terminal in Tilbury last month following a transit of the waterway as part of a reconfigured service

connecting the west coast of South America, the east coast of North America and NW Europe.

The 8,819TEU ship is the first to trade on the revised route, which also calls in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and the Bahamas, Philadelphia and Rotterdam.

Port of London Authority chief harbour master Captain Bob Baker

said: ‘It is excellent to see this ship arrive in the Thames — underlining our shared commitment with London Container Terminal to continue to grow trade and new business opportunities. The PLA continues to provide the modern pilotage and vessel traffic service to ensure the efficient arrival of ships into this busy port.’

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