Pilotage Text 1 (Listen and Read)

When a ship is ordered to proceed to a port or through a narrow, shallow or dangerous area, for which the shipmaster doesn’t have the necessary knowledge, skill or permission, she requires a pilot. The pilot will assist the shipmaster during the ship's passage to and from a berth in a given pilotage area, by providing local knowledge of navigational and operational matters combined with specialist ship-handling experience.

Pilotage, which can be defined as navigating a ship in restricted waters, depends greatly on local conditions. The deep-sea pilots in the Dover Strait, the canal pilots on the Panama Canal, the ice pilots in the Gulf of Finland and the dock pilots at main large ports, like Antwerp, are all great specialists in conducting a ship’s passage through difficulties, such as traffic congested waters, narrow locks¹, ridges of ice, low bridges and bad weather. Proper bearings of land and sea marks are crucial to obtain accurate position fixes², essential for piloting.

Except of being an advisor and a specialist, the pilot plays an important role in the communication between the ship and local assistance, e.g. tugs, mooring launches or shore based assistance like a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) or a port radio station. Conning a ship accurately through thick fog may depend largely on information received from shore based radar assistance, for example. As a rule, Very High Frequency (VHF) radio transceivers are used for ship-shore and ship-ship communication in pilotage areas.

Usually, a pilot is ordered well in advance, either by the ship’s agent or by the ship using means of long range communication, like a satellite communication terminal or a Medium and High Frequency radio transceiver, capable of sending e-mails, faxes, telexes or voice messages (telephony). As a rule, such request contains the ship’s name, her characteristics, her Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) and details concerning cargo, destination and the local ship’s agent. After this initial notice³, the ship will send updates of her ETA. When the ship is nearing the pilot boarding ground, the pilot service is contacted to find out when and how the pilot will board.

The pilot can be transferred to the ship by pilot boat or by helicopter. When the pilot boards from a pilot boat, a pilot ladder or a combination ladder must be rigged on the lee side. When the pilot is embarked by helicopter, the master must carefully follow the instructions given from the helicopter. A deck officer meets the pilot and guides him to the bridge. Flag “H” of the international code of signals (Interco)⁴ will be hoisted, meaning “I have a pilot on board.” After a necessary exchange of information between the master and the pilot, the latter takes the con. This will be acknowledged by the logbook entry "Ship being manoeuvred to Master's orders and Pilot's advice".

A pilotage note is brought by the pilot, to be filled out and stamped by the shipmaster, who receives a carbon copy in return. This copy is included in the ship’s or charterer’s accounts. Pilotage fees or pilotages greatly differ, depending on the ship’s size and the length and duration of the pilotage.

In order to cut these costs, experienced shipmasters of ships that regularly call at a certain port, can obtain a pilotage exemption certificate. After having navigated a number of passages with the assistance of a pilot, the shipmaster can apply for an exam. Such an exam usually consists of a theoretical part about local regulations and a practical part in which the shipmaster carries out all piloting himself, being carefully observed by one or more senior pilots.

To become a pilot is a clear choice for professionalism, made by many shipmasters to fulfill their career as navigators and shiphandlers. Because of their profound experience with and knowledge of nautical matters, pilots function as a vital link between ship and shore.

Notes:

1. Lock or sluice is artificial enclosure of water in which a vessel can be floated from one level to another level.

2. positionfix– определение местоположения

to fixposition– определить местоположение

3. notice – information or official document, containing information about something which is going to happen (извещение, сообщение, уведомление; предупреждение)

atshortnotice- тотчас же, в короткий срок

at6hoursnotice– с уведомлением за 6 часов

givenotice - ставить (кого-л.) в известность; предупреждать, сделать предупреждение о (чем-л.)

e.g. It is impossible to obtain this permission at short notice, 6-hour notice is necessary. – Такое разрешение нельзя получить за короткий срок, требуется заявка за 6 часов.

4. INTERCO – International code of signals

Exercise No. 5 Answer the following questions

1. Why is pilot’s assistance required by ships?

2. What kind of assistance can pilot provide to the shipmaster?

3. In what situations do vessels employ a pilot?

4. What is the role of pilot in communications?

5. What does the term pilotage mean?

6. Why should vessels order a pilot in advance?

7. What means of communication can be used for ordering a pilot?

8. What information is usually required by pilot stations?

9. What issues are to be discussed by the vessel and the pilot station when she is in the approaches to the pilot boarding ground?

10. What are typical pilot boarding instructions?

11. How can pilot be transferred to the ship and back to the pilot station?

12. What INTERCO flags are used in connection with pilotage?

13. What entry should be made in the Log-book on commencement of pilotage?

14. What factors do pilotage fees depend on?

15. What is pilotage exemption certificate?

16. How can masters obtain pilotage exemption certificate?

17. What personal qualities make pilots a vital link between ship and shore?

Exercise No. 6 Read the abstracts from Guide to Port Entry, compare pilotage requirements in the following ports and fill in the table

New York

Pilotage: Compulsory for foreign flag ships, and U.S. ships bound to and from foreign ports.

24 hours notice of ETA required. N.Y. N. J. Sandy Hook Pilot boat should be contacted on VHF Channel 16, call «Ambrose Pilot», pilot vessel also on Channels 13, 8 and 73 or ship-to-ship Channel 2638 or 2738. Vessels requiring Pilot should hoist signal letter «G» in daytime. In foggy weather the letter «X» should be sounded on whistle.

Pilot boat is generally found about 1.5 miles West of Ambrose Light Tower. In bad weather Pilot tries to stay windward of normal Pilot Station. In poor visibility an inbound ship should make Ambrose Tower and then proceed at slow speed to the Ambrose Channel Sea Buoy while blowing the letter «X» on her whistle. If no Pilot is obtained by the time she is in the vicinity of the sea buoy she should then anchor about 0.5 mile to 1mile North of the line from Ambrose Tower to the sea buoy and await Pilot.

The river Tyne District 55˚01’ N. 001˚24’ W.

Pilotage:.Pilots are normally stationed outside Harbor entrance within 1 mile radius. In bad weather Pilots will advise concerning entering. Twelve hours advance notice via Agent requested. Frequency medium wave 2182 kHz. Call “Tyne Pilots” on VHF channel 16; working channel 06. Cutter 55 ft. in length, painted black with white lettering “Pilots” displaying pilot flag. Efficient pilot ladder required as per Board of Trade regulations.

Zadar 44.07 N. 015. 14 E

Pilotage: Compulsory for all vessels over 500 g.r.t. Pilots boards approaching vessels at the anchorage, about0,5 miles west of the green port light on the north part of Zadar peninsular, or at separate anchorage allocated to tankers carrying dangerous cargoes. Pilot available on VHF channels 12 and 16.

Coastal pilotage is compulsory for tankers carrying dangerous cargoes, and Pilot boards/disembarks from vessel in position near Grujica Lighthouse, when anchoring is not possible. 24 hours notice of ETA at pilot station is requested together with confirmation of ETA not later than 12 hours in advance. Coastal Pilot is available on VHF Channel 12 or 16.

Brunswick, USA, Georgia 31˚09’ N, 081˚30’ W.

Pilotage:Compulsory. 24-hour pilot service is arranged by Agent with 48 – 24 hour prior notice from ship. Pilot station at Buoy “St. C.”. Pilot reached through VHF Channels 12, 14, 16. Pilot boat is 35 ft. long, white hull. No special signals required to pilot other than International Code flag “G” if desired.

Name of the port and p/s	Working frequencies	First notice tme/ ETA adjustment	Pilot boarding ground psn.	Information requred

Exercise 7 : listen to the following dialogue and carry out the tasks below

Adventurer. Good morning to you. 09 please. Yes

-Adventurer-Southampton pilot. Good morning again, Sir.

-Pilot – Sea adventurer. Good morning, Sir. Go ahead.

-Yes, your ETA, please.Your ETA to the Nab tower ?

-Yeah, good morning to you Sir. My ETA Nab tower 0415, 0415 Local Time this morning and we’ll be boarding West of the tower.

-That’s all received. Many thanks. And can I have your deepest draught, please ?

-Deepest draught this morning, Sir 8.60, 8.60 meters

-8.6 Can I also have your passenger and crew number.

-Certainly, Sir. My passenger figure is 3235, that’s 3235 passengers and crew figure 1238, that ‘s 1238 Crew.

-That’s all received Thank you. Well, if you can have your boarding arrangements on the starboard side 1.5 meters above the water.

-Starboard side, 1.5 meters above the water. All copied Sir and can you confirm if there is any converging traffic at the pilot station at that time ?

-Yes, Sir. You will be boarding number 1 and there will be a vehicle carrier, the Aida, boarding number 2 behind you, Sir, also 0415.And we’ll also have the large container vessel Bangkok Express ,outward bound.

-All copied, Sir, the Aida, a car carrier, will be number 2 and we are number 1 at 0415 and the Bangkok Express outbound. Can you confirm should (she) be at the pilot station outbound or we’ll be passing in the channel..

-Yes, Sir, that will probably around the St. Helens area and he will be using the deepwater channel, Sir.

-All copied, Sir. Much appreciated for your information. Thank you very much we’ll be standing by 09,16 and 12.

-All received, Sir.You give the Southampton VTS a call on channel 12 when you are 10 miles from the Nab tower and they will update you with the traffic.

-All well understood, Sir. Many thanks for your assistance.

Task 1 : Divide the dialogue in three parts : Reporting, Boarding instructions, Traffic Information.

Task 2 : Comment on each of the three parts and explain what phrases or words are formal, what phrases or words are informative and what phrases or words are informal.

Task 3 : Give examples of how the VTS operator and the OOW express understanding and agreement. (Mention keywords)

Exercise No. 8 Play out information exchange between the OOW and the relieving officer concerning pilotage requirements in the port you are going to enter.

Exercise No. 9 Text 2 (Listen )

Read the text and write down the issues to be discussed by Master and Pilot

PLANNINGA well planned passage will not stop at the pilot boarding area. The planning will continue from sea to berth, or vice versa, the boarding of the pilot being part of the plan. The areas where the pilot actually has the conn will still have been planned by the navigator. This enables the Master and OOW to compare the progress of the ship with the planned track and also enables them to be aware of the constraints and other details of the passage.Сontingency planning will assist should the ship experience navigational or other problems.

MASTER/PILOT INFORMATION EXCHANGE The Master may not be aware¹of the area, the pilot unaware of the peculiarities of the ship. These problems can be minimised by establishing a routine Master/pilot exchange. When the pilot enters the bridge it is good practice for the Master to make time for a brief discussion with the pilot. The Master may need to delegate the conn to the OOW or other officer, as appropriate, in order to discuss the intended passage with the pilot. This will include such items as the pilot's planned route, his anticipated speeds and ETAs, both enrouteand at the destination, what assistance he expects from the shore, such as tugs and VTS information and what contingencies²he may have in mind.

For his part, the Master needs to advise the pilot of the handling characteristics³ of his ship, in particular any unusual features and relevant information such as anchor condition, engine type and control and personnel availability. Much of this information can be readily available on a Master/pilot exchange form.

When these broad outlines have been established, the pilot will now need to be acquainted with the bridge, agreeing about how his instructions are to be executed (does he want to handle the controls or would he rather leave that to one of the ship's staff), where the VHF is situated and how to change channels and which radar is available for his use. In particular he needs to be advised of the present mode of the radar.

The pilot is now better placed to take the conn. The above will obviously depend upon many factors.

1 The position of the pilot boarding area. Often this is such that there will be little time between the pilot actually entering the bridge and taking the conn.

2 The speed of the ship at the pilot boarding area. This too could limit time availability.

3 Environmental conditions such as poor visibility, strong winds, rough seas, strong tides or heavy traffic may hinder the exchange.

Notes:

1. to be aware – знать, осознавать, быть осведомленным

2. contingency – нештатная ситуация

3. handling characteristics – маневренные характеристики

Exercise No. 10 Find English equivalents of the following terms in the above text

1. давать возможность 2.знать, сознавать 3. препятствовать, мешать 4 аварийное планирование 5 передать управление судном 6. маршрут 7. легко доступный, под рукой 8. широкий обзор 9. выполнять указания

Exercise No. 11 Fill in the gaps with appropriate words from the list given before the text

to decrease error aware safety information risks team

The pilotage passage plan is filled out beforehand by the duty pilot and, among other things, is used as a pre-embarkation check list for the pilot. It will also be handed to the shipmaster to be signed. The Master will then be … of the prevailing circumstances, complementing his own knowledge of the conditions of the port. The plan aims to improve the … parameters for the port traffic but does not replace the usual verbal exchange of … between Pilot and Master. The pilotage plan has a number of advantages. It provides knowledge to the vessel’s bridge team of relevant details and allows a clear understanding of the … involved and pilot’s intentions. The pilotage passage plan aims … misunderstandings and encourage bridge … work, thus decreasing the chances for … .

Exercise No. 12 Learn the standard phrases of the SMCP

АII/3 Лоцман на мостике	AII/3 Pilot on the Bridge
АII/3.1 Главные двигатели и движители	AII/3.1 Propulsion system
.1 Главный двигатель — дизель или турбина? .1 Двигатель — дизель/турбина.	.1 Is the engine a diesel or a turbine? .1 The engine is a diesel/turbine.
.2 Обслуживается ли машинное отделение механиками или управление двигателями производится с мостика? .1 Машинное отделение обслуживается механиками. .2 Управление двигателем производится с мостика.	.2 Is the engine-room manned or is the engine on bridge control? .1 The engine-room is manned. .2 The engine is on bridge control.
.3 Сколько времени требуется для перевода двигате­лей с переднего на задний ход? .1 Переход (с переднего на задний ход) занимает ... секунд.	.3 How long does it take to change the engines from ahead to astern? .1 It takes ... seconds to change the engines (from ahead to astern).
.4 Сколько времени потребуется для запуска двигателей после их остановки? .1 Запуск двигателей (после их остановки) зани­мает ... секунд.	.4 How long does it take to start the engines from stopped? .1 It takes ... seconds to start the engines (from stopped).
.5 Имеется ли дополнительная мощность на случай чрезвычайной ситуации? .1 Да, дополнительная мощность имеется. .2 Нет, дополнительной мощности не имеется.	.5 Is extra power available in an emergency? .1 Yes, extra power is available. .2 No, extra power is not available.
.6 У вас гребной винт регулируемого или фиксиро­ванного шага? .1 У нас гребной винт регулируемого шага. .2 У нас гребной винт фиксированного шага.	.6 Do you have a controllable or fixed pitch propeller? .1 We have a controllable pitch propeller. .2 We have a fixed pitch propeller.
.7 У вас гребной винт правого или левого вращения? .1 У нас гребной винт правого/левого вращения.	.7 Do you have a right-hand or left ~ hand propeller? .1 We have a right-hand/left-hand propeller.
.8 У вас один или два гребных винта? .1 У нас один гребной винт/два гребных винта.	.8 Do you have a single propeller or twin propellers? .1 We have a single propeller/twin propellers.
.9 У вас есть носовое или кормовое подруливающее устройство? .1 У нас есть одно/два/... носовое(-вых) подруливающее(-щих) устройство(-ва)/кормовое(-вых) подруливающее(-щих) устройство(-ва).	.9 Do you have a bow thruster or stern thruster? .1 We have one/two/... bow thruster(s)/stern thruster(s).
.10 Какова максимальная маневренная мощность двигателей на переднем/заднем ходу? .1 Максимальная маневренная мощность двигателей на переднем/заднем ходу составляет ... киловатт.	.10 What is the maximum manoeuvring power ahead/ astern? .1 The maximum manoeuvring power ahead/astern is ... kilo Watts.
.11 Каково максимальное число оборотов на переднем/ заднем ходу? .1 Максимальное число оборотов на переднем/ заднем ходу составляет ....	. 11 What are the maximum revolutions ahead/astern? .1 The maximum revolutions ahead/astern are ... .
.12 Два гребных винта вращаются на переднем ходу внутрь или наружу? .1 Два гребных винта вращаются внутрь/наружу (на переднем ходу).	.12 Do the twin propellers turn inward or outward when going ahead. .1 The twin propellers turn inward/outward (when going ahead).
АII/3.2 Маневрирование	AII/3.2 Manoeuvring
.1 Мне нужна лоцманская карточка/таблица маневренных элементов.	.1 I require the pilot card/manoeuvring data.
.2 Каков диаметр циркуляции? .1 Диаметр циркуляции составляет ... метров.	.2 What is the diameter of the turning circle? .1 The diameter of the turning circle is ... metres.
.3 Каковы выбег и боковое смещение при экстренной остановке судна (с полного хода)? .1 Выбег (при экстренной остановке) составляет ... километров/морских миль, боковое смещение — ... миль.	.3 What is the advance and transfer distance in a crash-stop? .1 The advance distance is ... kilometres/nautical miles, the transfer distance is ... miles (in a crash-stop).
.4 Сколько времени требуется на перекладку руля из положения «лево на борт» в положение «право на борт»? .1 Это занимает ... секунд.	.4 How long does it take from hard-a-port to hard-a-starboard? .1 It takes ... seconds (from hard-a-port to hard-a-starboard).
.5 Очень ли велико поворачивающее воздействие гребного винта (на судно)? .1 Да, поворачивающее воздействие (гребного винта) очень велико. .2 Нет, поворачивающее воздействие (гребного винта) не очень велико.	.5 Is the turning effect of the propeller very strong? .1 Yes, the turning effect (of the propeller) is very strong. .2 No, the turning effect (of the propeller) is not very strong.
.6 Где находится управление подачей звуковых сигналов? .1 Управление подачей звуковых сигналов находится на пульте/на ....	.6 Where is the whistle control? .1 The whistle control is on the console/on ... .
.7 За сколько времени требуется предупреждать механика об уменьшении хода с полного до маневренного? .1 Механика требуется предупредить за ... минут (чтобы снизить ход с полного до маневренного).	.7 What notice is required to reduce from full sea speed to manoeuvring speed? .1 ... minutes notice is required (to reduce from full sea speed to manoeuvring speed).
.8 Есть ли у вас авторулевой? .1 Да, у нас есть авторулевой. .2 Нет, у нас нет авторулевого.	.8 Do you have an automatic pilot? .1 Yes, we have an automatic pilot. .2 No, we do not have an automatic pilot.
.9 Подайте ... короткий(-их)/продолжительный(-ых) звуковой(-ых) сигнал(-ов) (гудком).	.9 Give ... short/prolonged blast(s) (on the whistle).
.10Выставьте впередсмотрящего.	.10 Stand by lookout.
.11Держите скорость ... узлов.	.11 Maintain a speed of ... knots.
.12Какова (маневренная) скорость полного/среднего/ малого/самого малого хода вперед? .1 Маневренная скорость полного/среднего/малого/ самого малого хода вперед составляет ... узлов.	.12 What is the (manoeuvring) speed at full/half/slow/dead slow ahead? .1 The manoeuvring speed at full/half/slow/dead slow ahead is ... knots.
.13 Какова полная скорость в море/на фарватере? .1 Полная скорость в море/на фарватере ... узлов.	.13 What is the full sea speed/fairway speed? .1 The full sea speed/fairway speed is ... knots.
АII/3.3 РЛС	AII/3.3 Radar
.1 РЛС в строю? .1 Да, РЛС в строю. .2 Нет, РЛС не в строю.	.1 Is the radar operational? .1 Yes, the radar is operational. .2 No, the radar is not operational.
.2 Где расположена антенна РЛС? .1 Антенна РЛС расположена на ...	.2 Where is the radar antenna? .1 The radar antenna is on ....
.3 Имеются ли у РЛС теневые секторы? .1 Да, РЛС имеет теневые секторы от градусов до ... градусов и от ... градусов до ... .2 Нет, РЛС не имеет теневых секторов.	.3 Does the radar have any blind sectors? .1 Yes, the radar has blind sectors from ... to ... degrees and from ... to ... degrees. .2 No, the radar does not have any blind sectors.
4 Переключите РЛС на шкалу дальности ... миль. на режим отображения относительного движения с ориентацией развертки относительно мгновенного курса (нос вверх)/севера (север вверх)/ заданного курса (курс вверх). на режим отображения истинного движения с ориентацией развертки относительно севера (север вверх)/заданного курса (курс вверх).	4 Change the radar to ~ ... miles range scale. ~ relative head-up/north-up/course-up. ~ true-motion north-up/course-up.
AII/3.4 Осадка и высота над ватерлинией	AII/3.4 Draft and air draft
1 Какова ваша текущая максимальная осадка? .1 Моя текущая максимальная осадка ... метров. .2 Моя осадка носом/кормой ... метров.	.1 What is your present maximum draft? .1 My present maximum draft is ... metres. .2 My draft forward/aft is ... metres.
.2 Какова ваша высота над ватерлинией? .1 Моя высота над ватерлинией ... метров.	.2 What is your air draft? .1 My air draft is ... metres.

Exercise No. 12 Study the Pilot card (Supplement No. 1)and formulate questions according to SMCP. You may use the following models :

1. How long does it take to …. ?

2. It takes … to ….

3. Do you have … ?

4. Is … operational?

5. Is … available?

6. Where is …?

Exercise No. 13 Translate the following sentences into English

1. Ожидаемое время прибытия нашего судна на рейд порта 16.00 местного времени.

2. С какого борта приготовить лоцманский трап?

3. Высота надводного борта 3,5 метров.

4. Когда вы предоставите лоцмана?

5. Какая скорость судна рекомендуется для приема лоцмана.

6. В этом порту нужно подать извещение о прибытии за 12 часов.

7. Не забудьте подтвердить или откорректировать время прибытия за 6 часов.

8. Каковы основные береговые и морские ориентиры при подходе к этому порту?

9. Вот копия лоцманского счета.

10. В этом порту лоцмана заказывают через агента.

11. Морского лоцмана доставят вертолетом.

12. Вахтенный помощник проводит лоцмана на мостик.

13. Знание местных условий имеет жизненно важное значение при плавании в узкостях.

14. Лоцманский трап спускают с подветренной стороны.

15. Следует уделять достаточно внимание планированию действий в нештатной ситуации.

16. Ошибка в понимании при обмене информацией повлекла за собой нештатную ситуацию.

17. Эта опасная ситуация (near miss) произошла, так как вахтенные помощник не был осведомлен об изменении в правилах порта.

Exercise No. 14 Listen to the following interview and complete the tasks below.