Atlantic Pilotage Authority Presentation to Whites Point Rock Quarry Project, Digby, NS. Digby, N.S. June 20, 2007 Captain Patrick Gates Director of Operations
Atlantic Pilotage Authority Mandate To establish, operate, maintain and administer, in the interest of safety, an efficient Pilotage service within the designated waters of the Atlantic region.
Compulsory Pilotage Area Designations Each pilotage authority exercises jurisdiction over the waters within the geographical boundaries specified in the Pilotage Act for each pilotage region. Atlantic Pilotage Authority (APA): all Canadian Waters in and around the four Atlantic provinces, including the waters of Chaleur Bay in the province of Quebec south of Cap d Espoir The Pilotage Act also empowers each pilotage authority to make regulations establishing compulsory areas within the Authority s geographical boundaries.
Pros of Compulsory Pilotage for Terminal Operators Providing professional pilots Pilots are knowledgeable of local conditions Reduces damage to your infrastructure
Pilotage Areas There are 16 compulsory Pilotage areas and many non-compulsory areas throughout the Atlantic Region
Criteria for Pilotage The criteria for determining which ports and districts should become compulsory are: Degree of difficulty and hazard in the approaches and within the port itself. Amount of vessel movement and maneuverability and the size of those vessels.
Nature of cargo carried on board (e.g. oil, gas, explosives, hazardous materials). Design of wharves, slips and actual space available for maneuvering.
nvironmental concerns and the preservation of the ecosystem
Ministerial Review of Outstanding Pilotage Issues The Canadian Transportation Agency Review (1999) contains twenty-one recommendations, all with which Transport Canada concurs in principle. Details on the Agency recommendations and the Departmental response thereto can be found in the Report to Parliament.
CTA Recommendation No. 1 The Panel recommends that each authority be required to identify, in consultation with interested parties, any compulsory areas where a change in factors and circumstances related to designation justifies a detailed re-examination examination of the designation, and to develop a plan and a time frame for doing so. The Panel recommends that each authority be required to conduct a risk-based assessment of proposed new compulsory areas and of those areas where changed factors and circumstances justify a detailed re-examination examination of the designation
Pilotage Risk Management Methodology (PRMM) Such designation not be imposed indiscriminately Appropriate research and evaluation of all the facts Meaningful consultation with the stakeholders Clear justification that compulsory pilotage is warranted
PRMM Consultative process consisting of easy to follow steps Provide for a consistent, transparent and well documented decision-making process The PRMM stresses the importance of involving stakeholders Maintaining good documentation throughout all stages in the process Communication is essential Data and information are very important Fully endorsed by the Minister of Transport
Exchange of Information Providing greater understanding of the issues Identifying possible options The documentation produced during the process also becomes the building blocks for the risk management library, where decisions, risk context, issues, hazards, assumptions, proceedings, research etc can be complied for future reference.
PRMM Documentation provides the following benefits: A record of decisions; A means to explain and defend decisions; Historical information and data for future decisions that enhances knowledge and the uniformity and consistency of future decisions; Context for informing stakeholders of decisions; A paper trail of events and decisions; and In the event of legal action, a detailed and comprehensive record of previous decisions.
Procedural Steps The Authority will appoint an experienced facilitator who is respected within the industry. Although the facilitator is ultimately responsible for the successful completion of the project, it is expected that he/she appoint an advisory committee comprised of a limited number of direct stakeholders. This group will address (debate) all the needs, issues and concerns of the stakeholders.
At the Conclusion of the Process The facilitator will present to the Atlantic Pilotage Authority his conclusions and recommendations. It will be reviewed by Transport Canada for due process All stakeholders who participated with the project will be asked for their comment The Board s s final decision to accept, amend or reject such recommendation will follow
Compulsory Pilotage Areas New Brunswick Saint John Miramichi Restigouche Nova Scotia Bras d Or d Lakes Halifax Pugwash Strait of Canso Sydney Newfoundland & Labrador Bay of Exploits Placentia Bay Stephenville Humber Arm St. John s Holyrood Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Confederation Bridge
Non-Compulsory Pilotage Areas New Brunswick Bathurst Caraquet Belledune Nova Scotia Pictou Sheet Harbour Liverpool Shelburne Bridgewater Coastal and Ice Pilotage Newfoundland & Labrador Port aux Basques Argentia Clarenville Marystown Long Pond Prince Edward Island Georgetown Souris Summerside Quebec Chandler
Whites Point Pilotage Review Compulsory Pilotage The Authority will maintain the use of gross tonnage as the criterion on which to base pilotage requirements, limits, and exemptions; Canadian registered ships above 1500 grt remain subject to compulsory pilotage; Canadian fishing vessels and Canadian government ships are not subject to pilotage. In addition, Offshore supply vessels of 5,000 grt or less are not subject to compulsory pilotage. This means that an offshore supply vessel of 5,000 gross tons or less that operates out of a base in a compulsory pilotage port located within the Atlantic region will not be subject to compulsory pilotage.
Marine Pilots The Authority employs professional pilots who are competent in all aspects of ship handling. They have a through understanding of the effects of wind, current, and tidal influences. This is reflected in the expertise they demonstrate navigation and handling all sizes of vessels in proximity to land and within narrow channels and harbours.
Marine Pilots Cont d
Pilot Boats The Authority operates pilot boats in Halifax, Saint John and Placentia Bay The Authority has 16 contracted pilot boats in the remaining compulsory and non-compulsory areas
Pilot Boats Cont d
Questions