Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans public meetings in 2025
13 substantive meetings from 2025, 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 review the January training agenda and apprentice progress. The meeting includes an executive session to discuss pilot compliance and specific incident reports involving vessels such as the Farah Louise and Tomni Levant.
- Review of January Apprentice Training Agenda
- Executive session on complaints and machinery failure involving Farah Louise, RB Leah, Stolt Sincerity, and Tomni Levant
- Investigation report regarding Energy Integrity (Unit 81 and Unit 48)
- Discussion on Safe Navigation selection process and Two Man Training Seminar
- Updates on appointments of Capt. Donner, Capt. Eschete, and Capt. Marks
The Board approved the November 12, 2025 meeting minutes. Commissioners reviewed several pilot notices and investigations, determining most were non-issues or non-incidents. The Board also assigned January quotas and harbor weeks for apprentice training.
- Approved November 12, 2025 meeting minutes
- Determined 11/15/25 Farah Louise complaint as a non-issue
- Determined 11/19/25 RB Leah notice as a non-incident
- Determined 11/27/25 Stolt Sincerity notice as a non-issue
- Confirmed 11/28/25 Tomni Levant machinery failure
- Completed review of 9/18/25 Energy Integrity complaint
- Assigned January apprentice quotas and harbor weeks
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will discuss the December training agenda and the progress of apprentices. An executive session will cover reports on machinery failures, groundings, and damage complaints involving specific vessels. The meeting also includes updates on commission appointments and LNG.
- Review of machinery failures for Vantage Euphoria, Alina L, and MSC Anshika VI
- Report on grounding of Dioni GR requiring tugs
- Investigation of alleged damage complaints for CMA CGM Arkansas, Henriki Shulte, and Energy Integrity
- Update on appointments of Capt. Donner, Capt. Eschete, and Capt. Marks
- Review of apprentice application qualifications
The Board approved the October 1, 2025, meeting minutes and agreed on the MPI contract for 2026 apprentice training. During an executive session, the Board reviewed and confirmed machinery failures for several vessel units. The Executive Director reported the renewal of the Commission’s D&O policy.
- Approved October 1, 2025, meeting minutes
- Agreed on 2026 MPI contract for apprentice training
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 135 (Vantage Euphoria)
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 70 (Alina L)
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 181 (MSC Anshika VI)
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 40 (Bellight)
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 47 (Phoenix)
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 35 (Maple Harbour)
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will discuss apprentice progress and review the November training agenda. The meeting includes an executive session to report on recent notices, investigations into alleged damages, and pilot compliance regarding licenses and continuing education.
- Review of November Apprentice Training Agenda
- Report on machinery failures involving MSC Phoenix, Vantage Eupohria, and Good Hope Max
- Report on allision involving unit 80 – Carla C
- Investigation updates regarding alleged damages to units #58, #52, and #73
- Update on apprentice applications and commission selection process
The Board recommended Capt. Blaine Donner, Capt. Jace Eschette, and Capt. Shannon Marks for appointments. The commission also reviewed several vessel incident notices and apprentice training progress.
- Approved September 3, 2025, meeting minutes
- Recommended Capt. Blaine Donner (6-year term) to the Governor
- Recommended Capt. Jace Eschette (2-year term) to the Governor
- Recommended Capt. Shannon Marks as the new Board of Review representative
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 118 (MSC Phoenix), Unit 105 (Vantage Eupohria), and Unit 41 (Good Hope Max)
- Determined Unit 80 (Carla C) allision was a non-issue
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will meet on September 3, 2025. The agenda includes approval of August meeting minutes, public comments, and an apprentice training update. The bulk of the meeting is an executive session to review 11 new notices to commissioners covering machinery failures, complaints, and an allision, plus reports on investigations, pilot compliance, and continuing education.
- Executive session review of 11 incident reports from July 5 to August 30, 2025
- Apprentice training: review of October agenda and apprentice progress
- Report on pilot compliance, continuing education, licenses, and physicals
- Review of year-old notices to commissioners
- Commission presentation on the CCC Air Draft at the pilot quarterly meeting
The Board approved the August 5, 2025, meeting minutes and determined the outcomes of several vessel incident notices. Members discussed the upcoming Commission selection process and apprentice training. The Board decided to make David Main's pilot interviews available on the pilot website.
- Approved August 5, 2025, meeting minutes
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 152 (Foxtrot), Unit 61/49 (CMA CGM Ohio), Unit 152 (Engergy Integrity), Unit 89/76 (Energy Innovator), Unit 32 (Stelios T), and Unit 7 (Jin Rui)
- Determined non-issues for Unit 15 (Heroic Striker), Unit 141 (Jasmund), Unit 36 (Heroic Striker), and Unit 8 (Aramis)
- Decided to house David Main's pilot interviews on the pilot website
- Established Commission selection process as one ballot where each pilot votes for two individuals starting 9/19/25
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review the September training agenda and harbor quotas for apprentices. The meeting includes an executive session to discuss machinery failures, allisions, and damage complaints involving several vessels. The Executive Director will also report on Coast Guard meetings and LNG notifications.
- Review of September Apprentice Training agenda, harbor weeks, and quotas
- Executive session on machinery failures for Unit 152, Unit 61/49, Unit 141, and Unit 32
- Executive session on damage complaints for Unit 15, Unit 36, and Unit 89/76
- Executive session on Unit 8 allision involving the Aramis
- Executive Director report on Coast Guard meetings and LNG notifications
The Board approved the minutes from the July 2, 2025 meeting. Members established the training agenda, quotas, and harbor week assignments for September apprentice training. Several reports and updates were postponed to the September meeting.
- Approved July 2, 2025 meeting minutes
- Determined September apprentice training quotas and harbor week assignments
- Postponed report on New Notices to Commissioners to next meeting
- Postponed report on Pilot Compliance to September meeting
- Postponed review of year-old Notices to Commissioners to September meeting
- Postponed Safe Navigation and Professional Development committee reports to September meeting
- Postponed BRPPC System Update to September meeting
- Postponed Deputy Trip Tracking to September meeting
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners is meeting to consider a Safe Navigation Committee recommendation requiring two pilots on large vessels, discuss the air draft calculation for the Crescent City Connection, and finalize deputy pilot restrictions and a two-man protocol. The board will also review the apprentice training schedule for the remainder of the year.
- Safe Navigation Committee recommendation for two pilots on large vessels
- Discussion of air draft calculation for Crescent City Connection
- Finalize deputy pilot restrictions and two-man protocol
- Review apprentice training schedule for remainder of the year
The Board unanimously decided to begin implementing two-man pilot training for large vessels and will contact PHAROS Mission Critical Solutions for assistance. Additionally, the Board finalized Deputy Pilot Restrictions and the Two-Man Protocol for public distribution.
- Approved June 24, 2025, meeting minutes
- Approved implementation of two-man pilot training for large vessels (unanimous)
- Decided to contact PHAROS Mission Critical Solutions for training assistance
- Finalized and approved sharing of Deputy Pilot Restrictions and Two-Man Protocol
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will review the July 1 start date and schedule for a new apprentice class. The meeting includes an executive session to report on machinery failures, investigations, and pilot compliance.
- Review of new apprentice class readiness for July 1 start date
- Report on machinery failures involving Hafnia Neso and CMA CGM Maupassant
- Review of pilot compliance, licenses, and physicals
- Distribution of finalized revision of Deputy Restrictions and Two-Man Protocol
The Board approved the revised Two-Man Protocol and the minutes from the June 4, 2025 meeting. Commissioners confirmed the readiness of a new apprentice class for a July 1 start date. A change to the Revised Deputy Restriction was made and will be presented at the next meeting.
- Approved minutes from June 4, 2025 meeting
- Confirmed new apprentice class readiness for July 1 start date
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit# 85 – Hafnia Neso (6/13/25)
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit #3 (3/21/25) and Unit #26 (6/14/25) as a non-issue
- Approved revised Two-Man Protocol
- Modified Revised Deputy Restriction for presentation at next meeting
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Pilot Commissioners will review apprentice training progress, sign off on program completions, and discuss preparation for the 2025-2026 apprentice class. They will also enter executive session to review recent vessel incidents, pilot compliance, and year-old notices.
- Review and sign Checklist for Completion of Apprentice Program for each apprentice
- Executive session: reports on vessel incidents (Odelmar, MSC Bosphorous, Navious Sphera, Genco Pyreness, Foremantera, Success)
- Review of pilot compliance, continuing education, and licenses/physicals
- Review draft of Deputy Restrictions and Two Man Protocol
- Report on preparation for 2025-2026 new apprentice class
The Board unanimously approved updates to deputy restrictions and the two-man protocol for vessels requiring two pilots. The Board also modified the apprentice evaluation system and approved the May 7, 2025, meeting minutes.
- Approved May 7, 2025, meeting minutes with one change
- Approved returning apprentice evaluations to starting during month 6
- Approved adding 'To and From' to the apprentice evaluation form
- Unanimously approved change to Deputy Restrictions to allow deputies to pilot any vessel requiring two pilots during Tier Two
- Unanimously approved expanding Two Man Protocol to all vessels requiring two pilots
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will review apprentice progress and the June training agenda. The meeting includes an executive session to report on vessel machinery failures and current investigations. Members will also discuss the planning of a new apprentice for July 1, 2025.
- Review of apprentice evaluations and June Training Agenda
- Reports on machinery failures for Seaways Mirage, Norse Omishima, Boston Harmony, and Theresa Dua
- Review of Two Man Protocol and Deputy Restrictions drafts
- Planning for new apprentice start date of 7/1/25
- Review of Medical Expert Invoices
The Board approved the meeting minutes from April 2, 2025. Members reviewed apprentice progress and evaluated four specific vessel notices. No other substantive votes were recorded.
- Approved April 2, 2025, meeting minutes
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 81 (Seaways Mirage) on 4/3/25
- Determined Unit 102 (Norse Omishima) incident on 4/4/25 to be a non-issue
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 32 (Boston Harmony) on 4/12/25
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 152 (Theresa Dua) on 5/1/25
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will review apprentice progress, the May training agenda, and evaluations. They will also discuss LNG trips as intermediate trips and hold an executive session on new notices, investigations, and pilot compliance. Other items include a system update, drone training videos, and deputy pilot restrictions.
- Review current apprentices and their progress
- Review May Training Agenda and apprentice evaluations
- Discuss LNG trips as intermediate trips
- Executive session on new notices, investigations, and pilot compliance
- Update on drone videos for training
The provided text is a meeting agenda rather than minutes. No decisions, votes, or outcomes are recorded in the document.
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will review current apprentices' progress and the April training agenda. They will also discuss new notices to commissioners, current investigations, pilot compliance, and continuing education. Updates on the BRPPC system, drone training videos, and new applicants are scheduled.
- Review of current apprentice progress and April Training Agenda
- Report on new Notices to Commissioners, including Unit 140 handrail damage in Chalmette Slip
- Report on current investigations and pilot compliance
- Professional Development Committee update on Pivot Point Seminar
- Update on drone videos for training
The Board approved the February 5, 2025, meeting minutes and established trip requirements for apprentices in March. Members reviewed training agendas and determined a damaged handrail report on the BBC Challenger was a non-issue.
- Approved February 5, 2025, meeting minutes
- Set March apprentice requirements to 13 Round Trips and 42 Harbor trips
- Determined damaged handrail on BBC Challenger (Unit 140) to be a non-issue
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board will discuss apprentice progress and the March training agenda. An executive session is scheduled to review machinery failures, a grounding incident, and a near miss involving the Carnival Valor. The meeting also includes updates on pilot compliance and certification applications.
- Review of machinery failures for Unit 32 (Teal Bay) and Unit 102 (PIS Paragon)
- Investigation report on Unit 55 (Magic Persus) grounding on 12/6/24
- Report on near miss involving the Carnival Valor and Unit 60
- Review of 2025 Certified Applicants
- Discussion of 2025 applications for 2026
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners approved the apprentice application for 2026 and the training agenda for March. During an executive session, the board confirmed two machinery failure notices and reviewed pilot compliance and investigations.
- Approved January 8, 2025 meeting minutes
- Approved March apprentice training agenda
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 32 (Teal Bay) on 1/17/25
- Confirmed machinery failure for Unit 102 (PIS Paragon) on 1/20/25
- Approved continuing education memo to pilots
- Approved Apprentice Application for 2026
Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners will review reports on recent vessel incidents, including groundings and machinery failures, and discuss apprentice training. The board will also receive updates on pilot compliance, continuing education, and a contract with Cybership for the BRPPC system.
- Review of 8 new Notices to Commissioners from Dec 2024–Jan 2025, including groundings, allisions, and machinery failures
- Report on current investigation into Unit 38 – Grand Concord complaint (alleged damage)
- Review of apprentice progress and February training agenda
- Update on BRPPC system contract with Cybership and website input form design
- Discussion of process for completing drone videos for training
The Board established new restrictions for apprentice training and approved the Executive Director to sign an updated contract with Cybership. Members also reviewed several vessel grounding and machinery failure incidents, determining most were non-issues.
- Approved December meeting minutes
- Approved February apprentice training agenda
- Established rule: No credit for intermediate turns from anchorage to point underway
- Established rule: Only one apprentice permitted on a cruise ship
- Determined grounding/allision incidents for Unit 181, Unit 32, and Unit 45 to be non-issues
- Scheduled additional investigation for Unit 55 grounding for March meeting
- Approved Executive Director to sign updated Cybership contract
- Certified list of 27 applicants for 2025