New Directive For Safer Pilotage Services

The Directorate General for Maritime Affairs has recently announced a Directive Regarding the Safety of Pilotage Services. The Directive follows a number of unfortunate incidents which brought to light the necessity to introduce stricter safety measures with regard to the pilot transfers and pilotage services in general.

In a nutshell, the Directive envisages new rules with respect to the design of the pilot boats from a safety perspective. Some examples are as follows:

• Pilot boats shall be designed and equipped in compliance with the national and international regulations and must be capable of operating safely in the most adverse sea and weather conditions.

• The angle of view of the pilot boats bridges shall be designed to allow for a clear angle to monitor the pilot transfer points.