THANK goodness some sense has intervened in the European Parliament over the ridiculous notion that pilots should become some sort of unofficial ship quality inspectorate, reporting to the relevant authorities any deficiencies they come across during their acts of pilotage.

There are some pretty unpleasant societal urges loose at present, encouraged by the forces of political correctness which, with the sort of zeal found in countries the names of which were prefixed by “People’s Democratic Republic of...” , urge you to shop your neighbour.

Just last week in New Labour Britain, we were being encouraged to report people discovered smoking illegally. It is a trend free people should deplore.

This nasty suggestion from Brussels emanates from the Prestigedisaster, when there was some hearsay evidence given after the event, allegedly by a pilot who spent some hours aboard in the Danish sounds, that the ship was, in some way, substandard.

In that the problems of the Prestigewere structural and internal, it is unlikely that a pilot would have been aware of them first hand unless his progress to the bridge was via the ballast tanks.

But it is the principle of this proposal which would have worried not only practising pilots but ship operators everywhere. Pilots are practical people who require to be focused on their navigational and ship-handling duties.

If they come upon issues of serious “substandardness” aboard a ship they will have the common sense to have a quiet word with the harbourmaster to get the port state inspectors to look at the ship. But, as practical seafarers, they know that “stuff happens”, deficiencies arise and it is up to them as professionals to work round these problems.

If the master confides that the chief is having some troubles and the ship has very little stern power, the pilot will make allowances. He will not go bleating to the authorities that the ship ought to be detained until the deficiencies have been made good.

It is also a fact that many sea pilots in particular have a contract with the master to undertake the particular act of pilotage. While aboard, the sea pilot tends to be the professional friend of the master, taking a lot of the weight off this burdened individual at a critical time of the voyage.

As the master signs his chit, is the pilot expected to tell the master that he is shopping him to the authorities because the radar developed a fault and the windlass, when viewed through binoculars, looks a little rusty? Who will willingly employ such a sneak?

“Only those who have something to hide could have any objections to this proposal” it will be said in the oft-repeated weasel words of 21st century bullies and tyrants everywhere.

Let us toast MEP Dominique Vlasto, who has shot this nasty proposal down in flames.

Lloyd’s List
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