Article

Dispute among Italian pilots' associations continues


by ShipMag. - published on 7 July 2020 393 -

Vincenzo Bellomo
photos, graphics and article by ShipMag.it from 2nd July 2020
The article was automatically translated from Italian into English.


Rome - "The interview that appeared on Shipmag.it, by the new president of Fedepiloti Luigi Mennella, re-proposes the opening of the "dialogue to mend the rift that there was so many years ago". However, the tenor of the statements does not seem to be a prelude to a rediscovered unity among the trade associations". This was written in a letter addressed to Fedepiloti and to Admiral Giovanni Pettorino the president of Unione Piloti, Vincenzo Bellomo.

"To attribute to Unione Piloti - Bellomo writes - the responsibility to respond to the peacemaker messages with sudden attacks, is singular. Perhaps we have lost the memory of the numerous attempts to create a relaxing and clarifying atmosphere aimed at re-proposing the pilot service with the involvement of those who sing outside the chorus. However, the initiatives that have been put forward have seen proud opponents who have used any pretext to sow the seeds of discord".

"And yet, having been a founding member of Unione Piloti, President Mennella should know deeply the reasons for the split, which was not a rash move but the result of a pondered reflection originated by the discomfort caused by the lack of a frank confrontation. The new President's reaffirmed willingness to move in the direction of continuity does not appear to be an offer of peace. In fact, it brings to mind the statements made, the last in a very long series, by Francesco Bandiera during last year's assembly of French pilots or the communications of the Fedepiloti that bordered on the offense".

"It's true: marriages are made in two, but it's equally true that a lasting union is based on the principles of equal rights and equal dignity between the spouses, otherwise the cause that led to the divorce from Fedepiloti would be repeated. To be honest, there are no proposals for the refounding of the association, other than the one put forward by UPI on the occasion of the election of the President Flag to unify the category. Mennella should well remember that the draft agreement was rejected without any argument to prove that reunification is pursued in words by Fedepiloti while, in reality, it is nothing but the ill-concealed attempt to obtain an unconditional surrender".

"We are ready and willing to discuss the refounding of the category, the way to deal with the changes that will affect the pilotage service; the authenticity of this conviction of ours is amply testified by the facts. Our willingness, however, does not consist in the passive and uncritical approval of theses and proposals that, in the past, were precisely the cause of the split and that today are presented again. In fact, we do not share the opinions put forward in support of the study commissioned to CIELI and, of it, we agree exclusively on the validity of the tariff formula as it is noted in our paper, presented several months ago to the superior ministry".

"The concern of the Commander General of the Harbour Offices ("the strength of an organization, which expresses such an important service, cannot be expressed if there is division" and "There is no strength in asserting one's own reasons if there is no unity") can only be escaped by unequivocal reasons to be carried out for the good of the pilotage service which are the result of a frank and fruitful confrontation; certainly not by decisions taken within an oligarchy. On the contrary, the search for a fusion between the two associations is nothing more than a mirror for the larks. To Admiral Giovanni Pettorino, to whom we renew the senses of our devotion, we would like instead to suggest that Unione Piloti also be granted a greater frequentation of the General Command circles. Knowing better and directly our association, he could be surprised by people who, not being afraid to strongly support their ideas, are able to become "shadows" that cast light".
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Capt. Luigi Mennella is the new President of Fedepiloti

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 6 July 2020

Capt. Luigi Mennella is the new President of the Italian Federation of Ports Pilots.

0

Article Roberta Coppa (Fedepiloti): "There are still too many gender prejudices in our world".

by ShipMag.it - published on 9 March 2021

Roberta Cotta and Teresa Matarese are the only two women in the Italian Federation of Harbour Pilots (Fedepiloti) team of 212 professionals.

0

Video Official video: 74a Assemblea nazionale Fedepiloti, Italy

published on 27 April 2021

Great image video of the Italian pilots (Federazione Italiana Piloti dei Porti).

0

Article ASSOPILOTI: Third Italian pilots' association founded

published on 21 April 2022

Founded by Danilo Fabricatore Irace, Assopiloti is thus the third largest pilots' association after "Fedepiloti", the association chaired by Luigi Mennella, and "Unione Piloti" chaired by Vincenzo Bellomo.

1

Article Shipmonitoring via AIS: ESAIL successfully launched by LuxSpace

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 13 September 2020

OHB subsidiary LuxSpace’s satellite for global ship monitoring has reached its target orbit.

1

Article A Day in the life of a Mentor Pilot

by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation - published on 1 November 2021

Luke Sorensen began his career as a Marine Pilot in 2011. Now the Manager of Pilotage Services, North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP), he mentors Pilots moving through the NQBP Training Framework to become competent and confident in bringing ships into berth at our ports. Luke explains the process of mentoring.

1

Article Product Pirates risk the lives of Marine Pilots!

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 17 December 2019

PTR Holland® are aware that certain parties have copied and supply, low-quality imitations of our rope ladders through several ship-chandlers in Rotterdam, Houston, Greece and in Turkey.

0

Article 4th Customer Day at NAUTITEC: A Day Full Of Inspirational Speeches And Lectures With The Opportunity To Network

published on 9 June 2022

More than 90 guests from the european maritime cluster attended the 4th NAUTITEC Customer Day in Leer on 2nd June 2022, which was hosted by NAUTITEC and supported by the partners of the maritime campus, Faculty of maritime science Sciences Emden/Leer.

0

Article The Future of Harbour and Sea Pilots: Opportunities and Challenges in the Digital Age

by Sven Stemmler - published on 18 November 2025

This expert article is based on a presentation given by Capt. Pilot Sven Stemmler at the MCN's (Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland e. V. ) event ‘On the Future of the Pilot Profession’ at Fraunhofer CML in Hamburg on 9 September 2025.

1

Video Presenting OpenBridge Design System at DSD2020 in Oslo

published on 6 May 2020

I recently presented the OpenBridge design system at the Design System Day 2020 in Oslo. I talked about what OpenBridge is, how it differs from other design systems and where we are heading.
The conference was moved online due to the Corona virus, so I had to record the presentation using my mobile phone, and get Jon Olav from the lab to add the slides. So - apologize for the home quality of the presentation, but I hope you enjoy learning more about our work!
Since we launched the free...

0