07/04/2014
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Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association - BMPA
06 April 2014
PRESS STATEMENT - FROM THE BMPA (Captain Kendall Williamson, President)
The Bahamas Maritime Pilots Assocition (BMPA) would like to announce that BMPA President, Captain Kendall Williamson has been invited to speak at the 22nd International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) Congress, to be held in Panama from April 7 through 11, 2014 hosted by the Panama Canal Pilots’ Association.
The Panama Canal Pilots' Association as one of the most significant Pilot Associations world wide, serves as host country for this years Congress to introduce the International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to the reconstruction of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal Pilots' Association is the sole independent pilots' association that manages the Panama Canal, one of the world most critical transhipment and cross continental shipping hubs.
The BMPA feels this conference is of vital importance to the issues currently experienced by the BMPA in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Panama as the #1 transhipment hub in the western hemisphere provides a perfect model for Freeport, which is #2 in Transhipment, as to how to carryout Pilotage Operations at a transhipment center. As Freeport plans to expand its transhipment operations it is extremely important that all international standards are incorporated into the country's Maritime Policy and practices on the ground in Freeport.
Other Speakers include Koji Sekimizu, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Captain Mike Watson, President of the International Maritime Pilots Association, Paul Kirchner, Executive Director of the American Pilots Association, Rainiero Salas, President of Panama Canal Pilots' Association, Mike Burgess of the Canadian Marine Pilots' Association, Mike Morris of the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots' Association, Dr. Phil Belcher of INTERTANKO, Rob Lomas of INTERCARGO and others.
The BMPA is very pleased with the opportunity to express to the entire Maritime Community worldwide the challenges that the BMPA have faced in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Captain Williamson says its a clear opportunity for us to share our challenges, gain access to more resources from Pilots worldwide and to talk about a way forward in terms of immediate Policy changes that must happen in Freeport in keeping with IMO Standards. This makes clear that the push of the BMPA towards Independent, self funded, non-competive Pilotage, with one Pilot's Association per port operating Pilotage, is completely reasonable and along the lines followed world wide, the Panama Canal and the Panama Canal Pilots' Association's model make that clear.
Captain Williamson also indicated that he has invited the Ministry of Transportation and the government of the Bahamas to send a representative to share in the experience and gain access to the world players in the Maritime industry. Captain Williamson will be joined by a delagation of BMPA members from Freeport and the BMPA Managing Director, Erin Ferguson.
If you have any questions, please contact Bahamas Maritime Pilots Association at 242-727-3277, or [email protected]
BMPA has been organised to encourage safe and responsible operation of marine pilots and other marine professionals; to develop advice and guidance for best industrial practice among its members and promote criteria for best practice to all who have responsibilities for, or interest in, offering professional maritime pilotage services. BMPA's principal role will be to advocate measures to enhance the safety of life and property at sea and pollution. It will represent the interests of its members, in matters concerning the safe operation of pilotage and marine services offered in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, to local and regional bodies and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). It will consult with the IMO, government agencies and other non-governmental organisations. BMPA has also formed strategic relationships with International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA), Trinidad & Tabago Pilots' Association, American Pilots Association (APA), the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates, SUNY Maritime College, and several Pilot Associations in the United States including, Florida Harbour Pilots, Tampa Bay Pilots,
