New pilots a boost to port’s efficiency

New pilots a boost to port’s efficiency - 14.06.2012 

Port Victoria’s efficiency has received an added boost with the commissioning of three new harbour pilots.

The Seychelles Port Authority (SPA) recently welcomed the three pilots -- Alan Chetty, Clement Julienne and Christian Soomery -- who with Harbour Master Percy Laporte have just successfully completed their training in Singapore.

The two-month course comes after four years of practical experience working on all kinds of vessels in Port Victoria.

A Seychellois pilot is always on board each time a ship enters Port Victoria. After being taken on the pilot boat near Sainte Anne, the pilot begins the tedious and risky task of climbing the rope ladder to board the ship, irrespective of weather conditions. The pilot advises the captain what route to take and what changes need be made during the routine manoeuvering to enter or leave port.  Ships that carry cargo or oil tankers need the expertise of pilots as they are quite heavy and difficult to manoeuvre, especially when the entrance to the port is rather narrow.

Pilots help in protecting marine life and habitat as they guide ships safely to and from their berths.

At a ceremony to welcome the new pilots, the chief executive of the SPA, Lieutenant Colonel Andre Ciseau, hailed this as an achievement, not only for them, but also for Port Victoria and Seychelles.

Lt Col. Ciseau said that in 2008, SPA recognised the need to have additional qualified pilots to correspond with increasing shipping activities.

He said the opportunity to train as pilot was offered to all staff who met the basic requirements.

Three of them showed their wish to pursue the course and embarked on a vigorous job training programme, guided by the Harbour Master, Captain Percy Laporte and Capt Benoiton, who then worked for the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration (SMSA).

The three men worked on pilot boats, tugs and various types and sizes of vessels that called at Port Victoria at all times of the day and night and in all weather conditions.

Lt Col. Ciseau said that in 2011, the competency of the trainee pilots was assessed and the SMSA advised the SPA that they needed further training before they could be qualified.

“At that point, SPA was determined to have the three staff developed as individuals and as professionals, plus our Harbour Master needed to upgrade his skills as well,” he said.

A strategic request for funding of R1 million for the four staff to attend specialised training at the port of Singapore was approved by the board, which has always been supportive of the SPA’s mission and objectives.

The four men went to Singapore, training in March and April this year.
Sharing with guests a brief history of the SPA, Lt Col. Ciseau recalled that when it was set up in October 2004, the authority’s mandate was to turn Port Victoria into an international dynamic maritime centre.

“At that time, we recognised the necessity to understand our mandate clearly, and we did this by evaluating our strengths and bring to the fore our weaknesses too.  What was apparent to us was the fact that our main strength was our all Seychellois team who were willing to work and bring about as much needed change within the port, which is after all the gateway to our economy.”

Under a Sistership Agreement with the Grand Port Autonome de Marseille, the SPA got the assistance of port experts and during the first few years, set about planning and setting the solid foundation of the authority, upon which much of Seychelles’ development is based.

“Today, we are the proud owners of a port which despite some strategic and infrastructural challenges and limitations can offer high level port services to all stakeholders. We have managed to improve our efficiency by operating on a 24-hour basis and this has increased our status as a reputable port within the region.”

The SPA chief executive noted that in 2010, Port Victoria received the Best Regional Cruise Ship Port Award” and is aiming to achieve it again.

On expansion plans, Mr Ciseau said two pilot boats have been replaced, while the tug fleet has been upgraded with two brand new tugs.

The SPA has invested in the construction of a new jetty on Praslin, which is nearing completion and will be commissioned next year.

Development has started on Zone 14, Ile du Port, with the construction of 120 metres of quay to start soon.

The modernisation of La Digue jetty is expected to begin within the next few years.
Among guests at the commission ceremony held at the port, were the SPA chairman Conrad Benoiton and other board members, representatives of shipping agents and port officials.

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