Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans public meetings in 2023
11 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will discuss updates regarding the current apprentice class and changes to January MPI training. The meeting includes reviews of machinery failure and grounding notices, as well as investigations into delayed vessel services.
- Update on current apprentice class and January MPI training
- Report on machinery failure involving Unit 153
- Report on grounding of tugs involving Unit 63
- Investigation report on delayed service to Units 25 and 116
- Review of three updated policies recommended by Pharos
The Board approved the November meeting minutes and scheduled a public hearing for regulation changes on December 18. Three updated policies recommended by Pharos were tabled until after the new year. The Board also reviewed apprentice training and conducted an executive session regarding vessel notices and investigations.
- Approved November meeting minutes
- Scheduled public hearing for regulation changes for December 18 at 10 am
- Determined Unit 153 (CL Qingshui He) notice to be Machinery Failure
- Determined Unit 63 (African Batis) notice to be non-incident
- Tabled three updated policies recommended by Pharos until after the new year
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will receive updates on current apprentice classes and review 2024 apprentice applications. An executive session includes reports on vessel incidents involving wake damage, machinery failure, and grounding.
- Apprentice training update including Sam Stephenson BRM/History of Pilot training
- Report on Unit 13 (Carnival Spirit) wake damage and surge
- Reports on machinery failures for Units 107, 174, 121, 54, 55, and 31
- Investigation report on Unit 82 (Western Maple) regarding ship anchored without pilot
- Review and certification of 2024 apprentice applications
The Board approved the October meeting minutes and recommended Capt. Shannon Marks to the Governor as a replacement for Capt. Mark Delesdernier, III. The Board also reviewed vessel incident notices and discussed apprentice training and LNG simulation requirements.
- Approved October meeting minutes
- Recommended Capt. Shannon Marks to Governor to replace Capt. Mark Delesdernier, III
- Moved Carnival Spirit (10/5/23) notice to 1-year hold file
- Moved Genco Pyreness (10/25/23) notice to 1-year hold file
- Moved Western Maple (9/29/23) investigation to 1-year hold file
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will discuss apprentice training, including a contract change, and review several incident reports from September, including two machinery failures and a ship anchored without a pilot. They will also consider findings from a May allision, a pilot complaint, and delayed vessel service, along with updates on pilot compliance, EEXI regulations, and policy changes.
- Apprentice training and MPI contract changes
- Incident reports: Unit 23 (Brussels) machinery failure, Unit 102 (Ellan Manx) machinery failure, Unit 82 (Western Maple) anchored without pilot
- Findings and conclusions on May 25 allision involving Unit 54 (Lambert Maru)
- Review of pilot complaint (Unit 80) and delayed service (Units 25 and 116)
- Presentation by BAL and Associates; update on LNG
The Board approved the September meeting minutes and signed findings and conclusions for two investigations. The commission deferred the review of three updated policies to the December meeting and scheduled applicant certifications for November 8.
- Approved September meeting minutes
- Signed Findings and Conclusions for Unit 54 (Lambert Maru) allision
- Signed Findings and Conclusions for Unit 80 complaint
- Determined cease-and-desist letter will be sent to agent for Unit 82 (Western Maple)
- Deferred review of three updated Pharos policies to December meeting
- Determined all applicant physicals and drug tests will be done at West Jefferson Industrial Medicine
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review apprentice training reports and upcoming review questions. The agenda includes an executive session to discuss investigations, pilot compliance, and a Coast Guard complaint regarding Unit 80.
- Apprentice training report and MPI contract review
- Investigation of May 25, 2023 allision involving Unit 54 and Lambert Maru
- Coast Guard complaint against Unit 80 for failure to report machine failure
- Review of three updated policies recommended by Pharos
- Performance review of current drug testing company
The Board approved upcoming Apprentice Review Questions and the printing of updated Book of Knowledge copies for the current apprentice class. The Board also approved the August meeting minutes.
- Approved August meeting minutes
- Approved upcoming Apprentice Review Questions
- Approved printing of updated Book of Knowledge copies for current apprentice class
- Tabled review of three updated policies recommended by Pharos to next meeting
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review reports on apprentice training, including class critiques and MPI dates. The meeting includes an executive session to discuss specific vessel incidents and ongoing investigations. Additionally, the Board will review three updated safety and risk management policies.
- Review of 2022-23 Apprentice Class training critique
- Executive session regarding vessel incidents involving Unit 44, Unit 62, and Algiers Locks
- Report on investigations into allisions and incidents involving Units 54, 24, and 95
- Review of updated Safety and Risk Management Protocol, Fog Policy, and Two Pilot Protocol
- Report on tug seminar from the Professional Development Committee
The Board approved amendments to regulation §3205 regarding education qualifications for pilot apprentice applicants. The Board also decided not to host a 20-hour seminar in 2024. Several maritime incidents were reviewed and determined to be non-issues.
- Approved changes to education qualifications in regulation §3205 (3-0)
- Decided not to host a 20-hour seminar in 2024
- Approved June meeting minutes with two changes
- Determined 7/10/23 Unit 44 Lesvos incident to be a non-issue
- Determined 7/28/23 Unit 62 Seletar Spirit incident to be a non-issue
- Determined 7/4/23 Algiers Locks incident required no investigation
- Tabled review of three updated policies recommended by Pharos to next meeting
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners is meeting to discuss apprentice training, including trip sheets and USCG rest forms, and to review several notices of complaints and incidents involving pilot units. They will also consider four updated policies recommended by Pharos and review the 2023-24 apprentice class requirements.
- Review of complaints: Unit #9 (Berge Catherine, alleged damage), Unit 70 (Tempanos, alleged damage), Unit 54 (Lambert Maru, allision)
- Review of current investigations: Unit 24 (Star Lysefjord, allision), Unit 95 (MV Genco Magic)
- Review of 4 updated policies as recommended by Pharos
- Review of 2023-24 apprentice class: first meeting agenda, July requirements, mentor instructions and assignments
- Deputy Pilot Guidelines and Restrictions review
The Board approved the May meeting minutes and reviewed several pilot notices, determining five complaints to be non-issues. The Executive Director will draft regulation changes regarding college requirements following a pilot survey. The Board also reviewed requirements and mentor assignments for the 2023-24 Apprentice Class starting July 1, 2023.
- Approved May meeting minutes
- Determined complaints for Units 82, 67, 88, 70, and 62 to be non-issues
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 9
- Tabled discussion on Unit 24 and Unit 95 investigations to next meeting
- Postponed review of four updated Pharos policies to next meeting
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review apprentice training records, including trip sheets and USCG forms. The meeting includes an executive session to report on current investigations and pilot compliance.
- Review of 4 updated policies recommended by Pharos
- Report on investigation regarding Unit 24 – Star Lysefjord allision
- Report on investigation regarding Unit 95 – MV Genco Magic
- Review of pilot compliance including licenses and physicals
- Selection of meeting date for the next apprentice class
The Board approved the offer of non-mandated simulator training for interested pilots following a review of docking reports. The commission also approved the April meeting minutes and scheduled an apprentice class to begin July 1, 2023.
- Approved April meeting minutes
- Decided to offer non-mandated simulator training to interested pilots
- Determined Unit 181 Maersk Memphis notice was a non-issue
- Agreed to give Unit 95 MV Genco Magic pilot 60 additional days to complete required extra trip
- Determined three year-old Notices to Commissioners were non-issues
- Scheduled next apprentice class to begin 7/1/23
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review apprentice evaluations, maritime incident reports, and updates on LNG risk mitigation. The meeting includes discussions regarding vessel docking certification at Chalmette Slip and potential new maritime degree requirements.
- Review of marine incidents including grounding and machinery failure
- Review of LNG Risk Mitigation Document
- Discussion of certification process for docking vessels at Chalmette Slip
- Discussion regarding adding a Maritime Degree requirement
- Request for qualifications of facilities for future continuing education training
The Board approved the March meeting minutes and conducted training with apprentices. During an executive session, the Board reviewed several vessel incidents, determining two were machinery failures and one was a non-issue. Several items, including the LNG Risk Mitigation Document and protocol restructuring, were moved to the next meeting.
- Approved March meeting minutes with changes
- Determined Unit 116 Star Polaris incident (3/8/23) to be a non-issue
- Confirmed Unit 23 NBA Magritte incident (3/22/23) as machinery failure
- Confirmed Unit 116 Genco Bourgogne incident (3/31/23) as machinery failure
- Tabled review of LNG Risk Mitigation Document
- Tabled restructuring of existing protocols, recommendations and resolutions
- Tabled request for qualifications of facilities for continuing education training
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will conduct an executive session to review reports on investigations, including a grounding incident involving Unit 62. The meeting also includes reviews of apprentice training progress and pilot compliance.
- Review and sign Findings & Conclusions for Unit 62 grounding
- Report on investigation regarding Unit 24 allision
- Report on investigation regarding Unit 95 MV Genco Magic
- Review of apprentice training, including written reviews and evaluations
- Review of pilot compliance, licenses, and physicals
The Board approved the February meeting minutes with changes. Commissioners conducted training with apprentices and reviewed several maritime incident reports during an executive session. No other substantive votes were recorded.
- Approved February meeting minutes with changes
- Determined 2/25/23 Ciara Enterprise Unit 45 incident to be a non-issue
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board is reviewing apprentice evaluations, trip sheets, and map distribution. The meeting includes an executive session to report on new notices regarding machinery failure, loss of revolutions, and alleged damage, as well as a review of a grounding investigation involving Unit 62.
- Apprentice training reviews and evaluations
- Investigation into Unit 62 grounding (tugs required)
- Review of 2024 Apprentice Application and Letter
- Report on LNG Training
- Executive session reports on machinery failure and alleged damage
The Board approved the December and January meeting minutes and the 2024 apprentice application materials. Commissioners conducted training and evaluations for apprentices and reviewed several vessel incident notices in executive session.
- Approved December and January meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved draft of 2024 Apprentice Application and Application Letter
- Determined Carnival Valor (1/9/23) and M/V Genco Magic (1/21/23) notices to be non-issues
- Determined two year-old Notices to Commissioners to be non-issues
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will hold a special meeting to consider a resolution regarding pilot training requirements for LNG trade. No other business is listed on the agenda.
- Resolution to mandate pilot training for future LNG trade
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners approved a resolution requiring pilot training for future LNG trade. The Executive Director was requested to notify all pilots of the resolution and training details via letter.
- Approved resolution to mandate pilot training for future LNG trade (unanimous)