Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans public meetings in 2021
9 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will discuss recent vessel incidents, including a collision and machinery failures, in executive session. They will also review pilot compliance, continuing education, and the disposition of year-old notices. The meeting includes routine items such as approval of minutes and public comments.
- Executive session report on 11/17/21 Osaka Star – Unit 145 Collision
- Executive session report on 10/21/21 St George – Unit 48 Machinery Failure
- Executive session report on 10/13/21 Brenda – Unit 120 Machinery Failure
- Executive session report on 10/12/21 Chryssa K – Unit 100
- Update on 8/11/21 Diamond Land – Unit 28 and 4/15/21 Seaspan Calicanto – Unit 67
The Board unanimously approved the minutes from the October meeting. During an executive session, the Board reviewed several vessel notices and investigations, determining some were non-issues or caused by machinery failure.
- Approved October meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Determined Osaka Star (11/17/21) and Chryssa K (10/12/21) notices to be non-issues
- Determined St George (10/21/21) and Brenda (10/13/21) notices to be machinery failures
- Determined Diamond Land (8/11/21) investigation to be a non-issue
- Completed investigation of Seaspan Calicanto (4/15/21) following pilot signature
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review apprentice training, commissioner nominations, and 2022 applications. Discussions include a report on the Maritime Simulation and Resource Center and an APA memorandum regarding a federal court decision.
- Apprentice Training review
- Commissioner Nominations
- 2022 Applications
- APA Memorandum regarding Federal Court Decision
- Pascagoula Liability Case
The Board approved the September meeting minutes and signed findings and conclusions for the April 15, 2021, investigation of the Seaspan Calicanto. Commissioners also scheduled apprentice evaluations and the quota system to begin on November 3.
- Approved September meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Signed findings and conclusions for 4/15/21 Seaspan Calicanto investigation
- Scheduled apprentice evaluations and quota system to start November 3
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will meet to review pilot compliance and conduct an executive session. The agenda includes reports on investigations and continuing education. No specific new business items are listed.
- Review of pilot compliance regarding licenses, physicals, and continuing education
- Report on current investigations
- Review of year-old Notices to Commissioners
- Safe Navigation committee report
- Professional Development committee report
The Board approved the June meeting minutes and discussed the process for replacing a commissioner. Members reviewed several machinery failure notices and investigation updates during an executive session. No other substantive votes were recorded.
- Approved June meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Planned email to pilots on October 1 for commissioner replacement interest
- Determined Amber Unit #120 machinery failure (6/19/21) as non-issue
- Determined MASTER Unit #77 machinery failure (9/7/21) as non-issue
- Determined Kilma Unit #48 machinery failure (9/11/21) as non-issue
- Determined year-old Notices to Commissioners as non-issues
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review reports regarding vessel notices, machinery failures, and allisions. The meeting includes updates on pilot compliance, deputy pilots, and the upcoming 2021-22 apprenticeship class.
- Report on Chipolbrok Star – Unit #38 (Other)
- Report on E.R. Canada – Unit #106 (Machinery Failure)
- Report on Ocean Saga – Unit #48 (Steering/Machinery Failure)
- Investigation report on Great Epsilon Allision – Unit #28
- Investigation report on Contamines – Unit #92 (Allision)
The Board approved and signed findings and conclusions for three specific vessel investigations. The Board also established requirements for seminar participants regarding surveys and attendance costs.
- Approved May meeting minutes
- Approved and signed findings for 2/24/21 Great Epsilon Allision (Unit #28)
- Approved and signed findings for 3/15/20 Hudsongracht #28
- Approved and signed findings for 4/22/21 Contamines (Unit #92)
- Determined seminar participants must complete surveys to receive credit
- Required seminar absentees to find a replacement or pay the cost
- Appointed Dave Renegar and Keith Siverd to manage draft issues
- Tabled selection of Harbor Mentors to next meeting
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board is meeting to discuss pilot compliance, current investigations, and reports on several vessel incidents. The body is also preparing for the 2021-22 Apprenticeship Class, including training and mentor selection.
- Reports on vessel incidents including allisions involving APL Danube and Contamines
- Investigation report on Great Epsilon Allision (Unit #28)
- Review of pilot compliance regarding licenses, physicals, and continuing education
- Planning for 2021-22 Apprenticeship Class including MRTIS and simulation training
- Report on filing of regulation changes
The Board reviewed several vessel incident notices, assigning investigations to captains for specific allisions and complaints. The Board also finalized preparations for the 2021-22 apprenticeship class, including mentor selection and training schedules. April meeting minutes were unanimously approved with changes.
- Approved April meeting minutes with changes (unanimous)
- Determined Maerskerie (4/12/21) and APL Danube (5/4/21) antenna hits require DOTD reports
- Determined Lowland Future (4/14/21) and Navios Asteriks (4/25/21) incidents were non-issues
- Assigned M/V Seaspan Calicanto (4/15/21) investigation to Capt. Delesdernier
- Assigned Contamines (4/22/21) allision investigation to Capt. Renegar
- Selected mentors and scheduled mentor training for May 19 at 11am
- Confirmed 2021-22 apprenticeship meeting schedule and MRTIS training for July 28
- Determined year-old Notices to Commissioners were non-incidents
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will discuss pilot compliance with education and licensing requirements and review professional development mandates. The meeting includes reports on specific vessel occurrences and the planning of the 2021-22 Apprentice Program.
- Review of Hudsongracht Unit #28 landing on cement wall (3/15/20)
- Review of Common Spirit Unit #6 issue with Chalmette Ferry (3/21/20)
- Investigation report on Great Epsilon Allision – Unit 28 (2/24/21)
- Proposal to mandate 20 hours of tailored professional development every 5-year cycle
- Planning for 2021-22 Apprentice Program start date and schedule
The Board approved a proposal to change the High River recommendation to 12 ft for head downs. The Board also set the start date for the next apprentice class and scheduled a public hearing for regulation changes.
- Approved March meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved moving High River recommendation to 12 ft for head downs
- Appointed Blaine Donner as a voting member of the Safe Navigation committee
- Set new apprentice class start date for 7/1/21
- Tabled review of old notices regarding pilot trends
- Determined not to mandate 20 hours of tailored professional development at this time
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review several reports regarding vessel collisions, groundings, and alleged damages. The meeting includes discussions on pilot compliance, including USCG COVID-19 credential extensions, and reviews of the Apprentice Program.
- Reports on vessel allisions and groundings involving Units 28, 31, 4, 5, 116, 106, 95, and 72
- USCG COVID-19 extensions for Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMCs)
- Review of the 2020 Board of Review end of the year report draft
- Discussion regarding training for apprentice pilot mentors
- Review of draft letters to Seven Oaks Dock / Chalmette Slip
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners approved the first draft of the 2020 Board of Review report. The board also signed and issued findings and conclusions for five separate maritime incident investigations.
- Approved February meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Signed and sent Findings and Conclusions for 10/8/20 Master Grounding
- Signed and sent Findings and Conclusions for 11/1/20 Sealand Illinois Grounding
- Signed and sent Findings and Conclusions for 11/3/20 Mayaro Collision/Machinery Failure
- Signed and sent Findings and Conclusions for 11/27/20 Tubul Complaint
- Signed and sent Findings and Conclusions for 1/21/21 Dubai Glamour Complaint
- Determined 12/13/20 Mondial Iris Bump and Go to be a non-incident
- Approved first draft of 2020 Board of Review report
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners is meeting to review incident reports and sign findings for several vessel groundings and collisions. The body will also review resolutions regarding professional development and groundings outside the channels.
- Review of incident reports including the 1/23/21 Crane machinery failure and 1/21/21 Dubai Glamour alleged damage
- Signing of findings for groundings involving Master Grounding (10/8/20) and Sealand Illinois (11/1/20)
- Review and signing of resolutions on Professional Development and Ground Outside the Channels
- Review of the first draft of the 2020 Board of Review End of the Year Report
- Discussion on allowing VTS work if a license or physical has lapsed
The Board approved the January meeting minutes and signed resolutions regarding professional development and grounding outside the channels. The Board also decided to rework VTS protocols to align with USCG procedures.
- Approved January meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Signed resolutions on Professional Development and Ground Outside the Channels
- Determined 1/23/21 0917 Crane incident was machinery failure
- Determined three year-old Notices to Commissioners were non-issues
- Decided to rework VTS protocols to conform to USCG procedures
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will certify the 2021 Apprentice Program applicant list and review the 2022 application draft. The meeting includes an executive session to discuss vessel incidents, investigations, and pilot compliance.
- Certification of the 2021 Applicant List for Apprentice Program
- Review of 2022 Application for Apprentice Program
- Executive session reports on vessel incidents including Onego Traveller, Mondial Iris, Master, Sealand Illinois, and Mayaro
- Review of updated VTS Policy draft
- Discussion of letter to Seven Oaks Dock
The Board certified 17 applicants for the Apprentice Program and approved the 2022 application draft. The Commission also established a minimum penalty for groundings outside designated channels or in insufficient water. Additionally, the Professional Development Committee was directed to organize four education seminars.
- Approved December meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Certified 17 applicants for the Apprentice Program
- Approved 2022 Apprentice Program Application draft (unanimous)
- Approved motion to proceed with four professional education seminars (unanimous)
- Approved $1,000 minimum penalty for groundings outside designated channels or in insufficient water (unanimous)
- Deferred review of updated VTS Policy to next meeting