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been working on since 2016. That has yielded good insights that served as the foundation for taking further action.” Hereman: “The outcome is a set of regulations which, after having been published in the Government Gazette in October 2020, will become law as of the 1st of January 2021.”
WHAT NEXT?
“In the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region, we have always had an extensive system of training courses for the old style PECs,” continues Hereman. “In Rotterdam, we are therefore taking the lead in setting up the new training course for the PECs. Other pilotage regions are watching; depending on their specific circumstances, they set their own requirements for the PECs and their courses.”
Based on length, the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region distinguishes between three PEC categories: B, C and D. PEC B is for ships between 75 and 115 metres, PEC C for vessels measuring between 115 to
160 metres and PEC D for ships between 160 and 200 metres long. Keijzerwaard: “But there are exceptions though, for example for ferries that are longer than 200 metres and call at Rotterdam with a frequency of at least once a week. Generally speaking, these captains are very capable of bringing in these ships themselves.”
HOW DOES LOODSWEZEN FEEL ABOUT LNS?
“Safety always comes first for the Dutch Maritime Pilots’ Organisation. That is our primary function and also how we approach our own profession,” says Keijzerwaard. Hereman adds: “We are certainly
not against exemptions from compulsory pilotage if captains can demonstrate that they are capable of properly and safely navigating
a port by themselves. And that is what LNS provides. It gives the competent authority more tools to assess whether safety can be sufficiently guaranteed. We are going to deliver PEC holders who can do this. That the Dutch Maritime Pilots’ Organisation will make fewer trips and therefore see a reduction in turnover is irrelevant. What matters here is safety and providing added value on board ships.”
LANGUAGE MODULE
A new element within LNS is the language module. A captain who wants to enter Rotterdam based on his PEC must have an active command of the English language and a passive command of Dutch. For inland-bound trips, this language requirement entails both active English and Dutch. Keijzerwaard: “Clear communication, for example with VTS and other ships, is essential. As the Dutch Maritime Pilots’ Organisation, we of course do not have the linguistic expertise to assess whether a captain meets the language module. We will have to engage a third party for this.”
ONGOING COLLABORATION
The cooperation that has ultimately resulted in the LNS regulations will be carried over to the practical implementation of the modules as well. Hereman: “Very good that this is continuing. Every quarter, we will meet with the government and other stakeholders to discuss possible
‘Safety always comes first for the Dutch Maritime
Pilots’ Organisation. That is our primary function and also how we approach
our own profession’
10 NAVIGATOR NL 2020 N°20
adjustments or extensions, without first needing to wait five years
for the bill to be evaluated.” Keijzerwaard adds: “Furthermore, not everything has been worked out in detail within LNS. Regions have the flexibility to interpret the regulation in different manners. Region North for example has a lot of work vessels; they could therefore consider whether exemptions are possible for these vessels. Consultation on these matters is only possible if you are able to get around the table together.”
“Continuing the collaboration between all those stakeholders at
the national and regional level provides substantial added value,” emphasises Hereman. “Now, we can continue to learn from each other’s experiences. By the way, a major education campaign is set
to commence at the end of 2020. The harbour masters will issue a brochure explaining all the PECs and how the attached administration will be handled. This way, everyone will know which service window they need to turn to.”