MORE than a week after Transport Safety Victoria halted pilotage transfer operations run by Australian Pilotage Group, there was no sign of a re-start of operations on Friday 1 April.
AMSA told DCN it had received a report from Ports Victoria on 22 March outlining the use of unqualified masters on APG pilot vessels. AMSA investigated and was satisfied that the masters were certified under the AMSA-administered National Law for Domestic Commercial Vessels. However, TSV is responsible for licensing and regulating pilotage providers in Victoria.
In a letter to stakeholders from APG general manager David McDonald seen by DCN, he said the company continues to work “collaboratively and proactively” with TSV.
In the letter, dated 31 March, Mr McDonald wrote that APG sent TSV all information and documents the regulator requested, which was “limited to the actual marine pilot transfer operation itself and has nothing to do with the competency of the crew or the local knowledge requirements to operate the vessels”.
The letter continued, saying APG had not heard of other pilotage providers in other parts of the country being required to furnish such information.
“Despite the unique nature of this request by the Victorian regulator, APG is fully co-operating in an attempt to satisfy these demands,” the letter reads.
According to the letter, TSV has requested that APG launch masters conduct a series of competency verification drills, which APG said it was happy to demonstrate.
Both TSV and APG/Auriga have declined DCN’s repeated requests for comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, in March a fire was reported on a pilot launch registered to APG – Malu Bau – according to an AMSA spokesperson.
“The fire was found to be an overheating water pump causing a steam leak, which was rectified,” the spokesperson said.
“The defect was assessed by representatives of the engine manufacturer and repaired.”
