Page 19 - Navigator 2021

LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD, THE MARITIME SECTOR HAS ALREADY BEEN IN THE GRIP OF THE CORONAVIRUS FOR AL- MOST TWO YEARS NOW. VACCINATIONS HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL POSITIVE IMPACT, BUT THE VIRUS HAS FAR FROM VANISHED YET. AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COVID CRISIS TEAM WITHIN THE DUTCH MARITIME PILOTS’ ORGANISATION, WILLEM BENTINCK REFLECTS ON THE PREVIOUS PERIOD AND LOOKS AHEAD TO WHAT THE FUTURE MIGHT HOLD.
“A big compliment to all pilots, staff members of the support organisation Dutch Pilotage Service (Nederlands Loodswezen BV, of which Bentinck is the director, ed.) and the other nautical stakeholders. Together, we have ensured that the Dutch ports have remained fully accessible throughout the corona crisis.” There was no other option really; when the corona crisis was still in its early stages, the Dutch government already designated ports a vital economic process that must not be interrupted. Behind the scenes, this meant hard work. “That certainly also applies to our deployment planners. Finalising
the schedules for 24/7 pilotage services every day was – and still is –
a substantial task that requires a lot of creativity.” Bentinck refers to the constant absenteeism of pilots and employees due to a corona infection or the mandatory quarantine as a result of contact with an infected person. “Furthermore, there has been a huge accumulation of leave days in recent months. Now that society is starting to open
up more, people understandably want to go on holiday. That poses challenges in terms of staffing. Things always work out in the end, but it's really difficult. It is a belated effect of the period we have just gone through.”
AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE
From the onset of the corona crisis, the Dutch Maritime Pilots’ Organisation has strictly adhered to the guidelines of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Bentinck: “Not stricter, but also not more relaxed.” For many office staff, this meant working from home. For pilots, nautical staff and the direct support services, this was obviously not an option. Bearing this in mind, Nederlands Loodswezen BV has done all it can to ensure the safest possible working conditions. For example, the tenders only carry six pilots instead of twelve and the crews of the large pilot vessels
that work in weekly rotations can have themselves tested at the crew change location prior to starting a new shift.
PILOTING EVERY SHIP
“The reception on board ships that require pilotage widely differs,” says Bentinck, who also still works as a pilot. “Sometimes, the captain will greet you with a jovial handshake when you come on board - if you are willing to accept this, of course. On other ships, you need to wear a mask whilst performing your duties. Personally, I have not experienced anything stricter than this and I respect those pilots who had to assist ships with an actual infection on board. In those cases, the pilot who boards wears what resembles a spacesuit to ensure that the ship is still able to safely enter the port.”
‘FINALISING THE SCHEDULES FOR 24/7 PILOTAGE SERVICES EVERY DAY WAS – AND STILL IS – A SUBSTANTIAL TASK THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF CREATIVITY’
Bentinck is enthusiastic about the pioneering role of the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) regarding the widespread vaccination of seafarers, irrespective of their nationality (see page x). “We are highly appreciative of them for that initiative. Vaccination is extremely important, but – and I cannot emphasise this enough – this applies to everyone. If you are still in doubt, please obtain reliable information about the pros and cons. The effects of vaccination are evident and give us back our freedom as a society.”
‘TOGETHER, WE ARE EXTREMELY RESILIENT’
Corona is not over yet, acknowledges Bentinck. “In 2020, we all thought that corona might be over within a few months. We now
know from experience that it will take much longer and we are starting to realise that it may actually never go away. Therefore, the modus operandi is geared to organising this in the best possible manner, so that we as a society in general and the maritime sector in particular experience minimal disruption.” The starting points for staying on top of future outbreaks of corona or currently unknown other viruses are clear to Bentinck. “Flexibility, communication, common sense and strict adherence to government advice. Based on those basic principles, we have shown that together, we are extremely resilient.”
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