We are pleased to announce that EMPA, the EUROPEAN MARITIME PILOTS' ASSOCIATION has authorized us to distribute their latest newsletter:

Table of content:

• 2 Editorial
• 3 Letter of the President
• 4 General Meeting 2022
• 5 EMPA Football Tournament 2022
• 6 Securing of Pilot ladders at Intermediate Length

Statement of the President

Dear Colleagues,

Now that the year is coming to an end, it is time to look back and review what has kept us busy over the past months.

If we look in the rearview mirror, we see a big “C”.

A “C”, which kept us busy in 2021 more than we expected at the beginning of the year.

However, this “C” is not only visible in the rearview mirror, even if we look ahead, it has unfortunately not yet faded.

There were also infections among our colleagues and their families. I hereby would like to convey my condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims and to wish all those concerned a quick and comprehensive recovery.

The global pandemic has affected and continues to affect pilotage worldwide.

The passenger shipping sector in particular has continued to suffer, and with it the ports that are primarily dependent on these ship calls. Supply chains have been torn down and the logistical processes in many ports are still not working as they were before the pandemic. The pilotage system has, however, comprehensively proven its reliability; it has proven itself to be systemically relevant and as part of public services of general interest.

Many thanks to all colleagues who always provided their service reliably even under difficult circumstances!

A good pilot, however, always looks ahead and faces challenges with confidence. The members of the Board of Directors have also looked ahead optimistically and have started to plan the next EMPA General Meeting in Brussels from April 27th, 2021 to April 29th, 2021.

We will be sending out further details and invitations shortly.

Of course, we also exchange information with our colleagues at IMPA on a regular basis. In this way we learned that another virus that could be believed to have been eradicated has reappeared, this time in Australia. The name of this virus also begins with “C”: Competition! No vaccine seems to be able to protect us from this virus, we pilots have to defend ourselves against it.

At this point I would like to quote my predecessor Stein Inge Dahn, who wrote:
“Core elements of this defense have to be never to stop investing in building good relations and improved understanding of maritime pilotage qualities and specificities within the general public, in the local, national and international maritime administrations, and not least: towards the politicians. Equally important, we have experienced, is the need for pilots to stay united! It is a sad fact that lack of unity among pilots has played such an important role in the unfortunate setback processes that we have witnessed worldwide.”

I have nothing to add to this! Unity among the pilots, whether national, European or global, is essential! May this thought accompany us into the New Year.

I wish all colleagues a Merry Christmas and a good transition into the year 2022, which we look forward to with confidence.

To all pilots on duty over the holidays:
Have a smooth sailing !

Yours sincerely
Capt. Erik Dalege