AGUNSA and its strategy to meet the new standards required for pilot transfer services

Multinational in agency and logistic services are ahead of the new regulations

In 2014, the General Directorate of Maritime Territory and the Merchant Marine of Chile established new minimum and improved standards for vessels that provide transport services to pilots, both in terms of construction and safety equipment.  This, in order to minimize the intrinsic risk that is generated when a person transits between vessels, and also to mitigate the impact of weather conditions during the operation of the vessels in ports, bays and other transfer stations.

For the national industry, consisting of a total of 130 boats, of which only 78 comply with the characteristics required by the authorities to carry out pilot transfer operations, it not only represents a major investment in fleet renewal and reconditioning, but also an opportunity to improve the standards in quality and services that they provide daily to ship owners, ship operators, maritime terminals and other relevant factors that are involved in port operations.

“This will imply a significant modernization of the fleet nationwide, but also a decrease in the number of boats that meet the technical requirements, due to the high cost that it represents for companies to renew their fleets.  This is in addition to the fact that not all of the boats have the technical characteristics to permit such renewal, therefore one is to expect a decrease in the number of the national fleet of pilot boats, as well as a significant increase in market rates,” stated Carlos Cornelius, corporate manager for AGUNSA’s Agency and Bunkering division.

The Company has eight vessels that comply with the 080/022 regulation, of which six were received between 2015 and 2016.  In addition, six other boats are in the process of being refurbished.  Along with this, Cornelius highlights the constant concern over the training and skills of the crew. “This helps us to continue providing a high level of service to our customers in the various ports in which we operate, from Arica to Punta Arenas, to which we have been incorporating support for OSR tasks,” indicated Marcelo Cruz, national head of AGUNSA Launch Boats.

The challenges, however, are not minor in Chile, considering that since September 10 of 2020, the General Directorate of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine will require a new series of technical characteristics, safety and performance conditions for the vessels.  Some crucial aspects will be:

– Hull with propeller and rudder protection systems against mooring lines and floating elements.

– Deck with visible transfer zones at all times for the vessel skipper from his position.

– Freeboard

– Stability

– Behaviour at sea, with Capacity to transfer pilots in sea state to 5, with waves exceeding 1.25 mts and up to 2.5 metres.

– Propulsion System with two propulsion engines whose power allows to operate jointly and simultaneously with two axles and two rudders with electro hydraulic steering System and with two propellers, in order to meet the minimum required of 12 knots in sea state 2.  Likewise, more efficient, less polluting motors and with less environment impact will be enforced, although with a fuel price increasingly higher.

– Command bridge with good visibility of 360° horizontally and 90° in elevation, with permanent visibility to the bow.

– Boats that includes radar with X Band and the Capacity to detect up to 6 nautical miles and AIS identification System.

– VHF and MF/HF communication equipment.

– Indirect lighting on deck and spotlights to light up drafts and pilot ladders.

– Safety equipment that considers lifebuoy, automatic lighting, and rafts for all authorized Personnel to be transported and anti-exposure suits in colder areas.

– Accommodations that allow for the transport of two sitting pilots plus protection against thermal and sound vibrations, as well as a ventilation System and bathroom with sinks.

Continuous Improvement

In addition to having specialized boats and equipment in shipping operations such as the transfer of pilots, AGUNSA adds value to its services by operating according to the requirement of the Maritime Authority, to maintain its leadership in Chilean boat services. “We always work with a focus on the care of the environment, productivity and continuous improvement in all of our services certified ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015,” detailed Waldo Caroca, deputy manager of AGUNSA’s agency division.

Source: Mundomaritimo.cl

Date :November 19, 2018