AUTHORISATION OF PILOTS

TUTIICORIN PORT (AUTHORISATION OF PILOTS)

REGULATIONS 1979

(Published in the Gazette of Inidi dated 1.03.1979)

G.S.R. 98 (E) – In exercise of the powers conferred by the provision to sub – section (I) of section 24, read with section 28 and section 128, of the Major Port Trusts Act,1963 (38 of 1963) the Central Government hereby makes the following regulations namely :

1. Short title and commencement :-

1. These regulations may be called the Tuticorin Port

(Authorisation of Pilots) Regulations, 1979. They shall come into force on the Ist day of April, 1979.

2. Definitions:- In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires:-

(a) "Board" "Chairman" and "Deputy Chairman" shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963;

(b) "DeputyConservator" means the Deputy Conservator of the Port and the officer in whom the direction and management of pilotage are vested;

(d) "Limits of compulsory pilotage waters" means the limits defined in relation to the port under sub-section (2) of section 4 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908 (15 of 1908);

(e) "Pilot" means a person lawful appointed and licensed as such by the Board subject to the authorisation of the Central Government, to pilot in the Port any vessel as directed by the Deputy Conservator/Harbour Master.

3. Harbour Master's Control over Pilots,- The Harbour Master shall have control over pilotage charged of vessels while entersing or leaving the port or mooring or berthing or unberthing at any berth in the port.

4. Pilots to be licensed,-

(1) Every pilot shall hold a licence to perform the duties of a pilot for the Port of Tuticorin and such licence, subject to the sanction of the Central Government, may be issued and be revocabke by the Board.

(2) A pilot severigng his connection with the Board shall forthwith deliver his licence to the Board.

5. Conditions for joining the Pilot Service.- A person shall not be licensed as a pilot unless and until he satifies the Board that hefulfils the following conditions:-

(a) The conditions of eligibility laid down in regulations 15 (1) and 15 (2) of the Tuticorin Port Employees (Recruitment, Seniority and Promotion) Regulations,1979;

(b) that on the date of appointment as a Probationer Pilot, he is of an age not below 24 and not exceeding 35 years;

" Provided that prescribed upper age- limit may be relaxed by the Board.

(i) in the case of a candidate who is an ex-serviceman,i.e ex- employee of India's Defence Forces, and who has put in not less than six months continuous service in the Defence Forces to the extent of the service rendered by him in the Defence Forces plus three years where the vacancy to be filled in a vacancy reserved for such ex-servicemen and dependants of hthose killed in action and to the extent of the service rendered by him in the Defence Forces where the vacancy is to be filled in an unreserved vacancy.

(ii) In the case of a candidate belonging to the Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe, inn accordance wihth such orders of the CentralGovernment as may be issued from time to time for appointments to services or posts under it in favours of the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes:

6. Qualifications of Candidates – (1) A candidate for a Pilotage Lincence shall:

(a) be in posssession of a certificate of competency as Master (Foreign- going) granted by the Government of India or its equivalent and should have, preferably, experience of at least six months as First Mate on a foreign-going ship;

(b) obtain a certificate of physical fitness from such medical authority as may be prescribed by the Board for the purpose;

(d) unless the Board otherwise determines,serve a eperiod of probationary training of not less than 6 months; and completionn of the training the probationer may if recommended by the Harbour Master and subject to the approval of the Deputy Conservator , apply to be examined as to his qualifications to pilotships.

7. Subjects of Examination – The subjects for the examination shall include following, namely :-

(i) Regulations and Rules relating to navigation in the Port;

(ii) the course and distance between any two places within the Port limits;

(iii) the ebb and flow of tides;

(iv) the depth and character of soundings;

(v) The anchorages, rocks shoals amd other dangers, the land marks buoys and beacons and lights within the Port;

(vi) The management of ships and steamers, how to bring them to anchor and to keep them clear on their anchors in a tideway;

(vii) to handle a vessel under all conditions;

(viii) to moor, unmoor and geet under-way

(ix) Harbour Craft Reules of the Port

(x) Safety Rules of the Port;

(xi) Quarantine Rules;

(xii) The Indian Ports Act 1908 (15 of 1908) and hthe Major Port Trusts Act 1963 (38 of 1963); and

(xiii) Such other subjects as may be determined by the Examination Committee in this behalf.

8. Examination Committee.- The examination shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by the Board by an Examination Committee constitute as follows :-

(1) The DeputyConservator (Chairman)

(2) The Harbour Master, and in his absence, another marine officer nominated by the Chairman.

(3) A Master of a Foreign-going ship.

9. Failure to Pass an Eamination.- In the event of a probationer failing to pass the specified examination within nine months of hiis appointment, he will be liable to be discharged..

10. Pilot's Distinnguishing Flag.-

(1) Each pilot shall be provided with a distinguishing flag, which is to be hoisted on the vessel which in his charge in a position where it can best be seen district from other signals.

(2) A similar flag hoisted at the signal station shall be usede in communicating with the vessel hwhen the pilot is on board.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-regulations (1) and (2) the pilot shall also maintain VHF communication with the Port Control and obey all instructions conveyed from the Port Control.

11. Pilots to obey the order of the authority.- A pilot shall obey and execute all lawful orders nand regulations given or issued by the Board, the Deputy Conservator and /or the Harbour Master.

12. Pilot's Behaviour.-

(1) Every pilot shall at all times exercise strict sobriety and shall throughout the time he is in charge of a vessel, use his utmost care and diligence for her safety, the safety of all other vessels in the proximity and all port installations and crafts.

(2) He shall, when necessary , keep the lead, Echo-sounder, Radar and/or any other navigational aid foing while the vessels iin under-way andshall not lay the vessel a ground without a written order from the owner' Master /Officer in command of the vessel.

(3) Nor withstanding the provisions contained in sub-regulation (2), the Pilots shall take such appropriate action in the special circumstances of the case as may be necessary to safeguard the port, all port property, installations, navigational channel, other ships and crafts in the port in the larger interests of the port and her users.

13. Pilot's behaviour towards the Master of the vessel etc.- A pilot shall show due civility to the owner, Master and Officers of any vessel under his charge. The pilot will bring to the attentiion of the DeputyConservator or Harbour Master any instances when the Master or Officer – in – command behaved in an uncivil maner.

14. Pilot to obtain certificate of services performed by them.-

(1) A pilot shall, on boarding a vesswel, hand the Arrival/Departure report to the Master, who hshall enter in the report all the required particulars over his signature.

(2) Transporting and Anchoring Certificates shall be filled in by the pilot and presented to the Master for signature when the duties of the pilot are completed.

15. Pilots to go on board vessels in good itime.- A pilot about to take charge of a vessel which is outward bound or which is about to be moved from the berth in which she is lying, shall go on board and report himself to the Master/Officer in command at the time appointed. The Pilot shall comply with the rule in force on the subject at the Port of New Tuticorin.

16. Pilots when on duty to carry with them their licence,etc.- A pilot when on duty shall always have with him his licence , an officialTide Table for the port, a copy of the Port Rules and the Pilotage Regulations for the time being in force.

17. Provisions for accommodation and Food- A pilot shall, if necessary,be provided with reasonable accommodation and shall be supplied with breakfast between 7 A.M. And 9.A..M lunch between 12 Noon and 2 P.M and dinner between 6.P.M. And 8 P.M (I.S.T). The pilot may leave the vessel at anchor or alongside in the harbour and go for his nmeals if not provided with food. This matter, should, however, be brought to the attention of the Deputy Conservator, Harbour Master.

18. Pilots to see that anchors are ready to let go.- A pilot, before taking charge of an outward-bound vessel;, shall enquire hthe Master/Officer – in – charg of the vessel that the vessel is in readiness in all respects with regardd to here engines, steering gear, Telegraph, Windless,mooring winches, navigational lights and signals, whistle/sirenfor sound signals and also that anchors are got ready to be let gone instantly.

19. Pilots giving evidence.- A pilot shall not attend to give evidence on any trial or inquiry to which he is not a party unless under sub-poena without the permission of the Deputy Conservator and a pilot under sub-poena to give evidence shall forth with report the fact in writing to the Deputy Conservator.

20. Pilots to give information of any alterations in Navigational mark, etc.- A pilot who has observed any alteration in the depth of the channels or noticed that any buoys, beacons or light vessels have been driven away, broknen down, damaged, or shifted from position or become aware of any circumstances likely to affect the safety of navigation, shal forthwith send a detailed report tin writing to the Deputy Conservator and Harbour Master. The same may be recorded in the Harbour Master'sLog Book also.

21. Pilots to report casualties.- A pilot shall, immediately after the occurance of any

accident involving any vessel in his charge , report the factss relating to the accident to the Deputy Conservator and/or the Harbour Master as soon as possible followed by a report in writing to the Deputy Conservator through the Harbour Master with all details of damages, reasons for the accident and the responsibility for the same within 24 hours of the occurrence.

22. Harbour Master to regulate attendanced of pilots on be kept in the office of the Deputy Conservator or Harbour Master tovessels requiring their services and a list showing the rotation in which pilots(having regard to their respective classes) are to be allotted to such vessels, shall be kept in the office of the DeputyConservator or Harbour Masterd.

23. Commencement of Pilots duties in regard to outward bound vessel.- The duties of a pilot in regard to an outwardbound vessel shall comence from the time 'Stations' are called and the pilot has proceeded to the navigational bridge for the purposes of piloting the outward-bound vessel to sea from the wharf, piersd , berth, jetty or anchoragesd as the case may be.

24. Ceaser of Pilot's duties iin regard to outward-bound vessel.- The duties of a pilot in regard to an outward-bound vessel shall cease when he has pilotedsd the vessel to the limits of the compulsory pilotage waters (or to such a position that the Master / Officer – in – Command does not consider it necessary to engage the services of the pilot any more and the pilot also in his opinion feels, that in the prevailing circumstances that the Master/Officer – in- command can safely take the vessel out to sea).

25. Commencement of Pilot's duties in regard to inward-bound vesesl - The dutie of a pilot in regard to an inward bound vessel shall commence after he hhas boarded the vessel and proceeded to the navigational bridge and taken charge from the Master for the purposese of piloting the vessel inward into the harbour and when the said vessel enters hthe compulsory pilotage limits of the port.

26. Action to be taken by a pilot on boarding a vessel.- A pilot, on boarding the vessel , shall:-

(a) Ascertain whether there is, or has been during the voyage any infectious diseases of the nature specified in the Port Quarantine Rules for the time being inforce, among the persons on board the vessel; if there is or has been any such disease he shall anchor the vessel, hoist the quarantine signals and carry out the instructions contained in hthe said rules in this behalf;

(b) ascertain the vessel's present draft and see that both anchors are clear to be let gone ; see that the Navigational Ensign is hoisted and that the flags denoting the name of the vessel and any other signals, as required under the port Rules from time to time, are hoisted in such a manner as to be clearly seen from the Port Signal Station.

27. Ceaser of Pilot's duties in regard to inward-bound vessel; The duties of a pilot in regard to any inward – bound vessel shall cease when the vessel is safely moored or anchored at any wharf, pier, berth, jetty or anchorage as the case may be.

28. Moving of vessels -

(1) No pilot shall, where the vessel is under, way, move or direct the moving of any vessel within the port from one position to another unless the master is on board.

(2) Where the Master leaves the vessel before the movement is completed, the pilot shall direct the vessel to be anchored in such safe position as may be most easily reached by the Master, and shall not give directions to proceed with the moving until the return of the Master to the vessel.

(3) Throughout the moving of the vessel, the number of officers and crew on board and available for duty shall not be less than the number sufficient to perform any duty which may be required; and if the pilot on boarding the vessel considers that the number is not sufficient , he shall invite the Master's attention to the Port Rules and refuse to proceed with the moving.

Explanation :- In this regulation, the expression "Master" shall include the first or other officers duly authorised to act for the master in the event of the Master being incapacitated from performing the duties of his office.

29. Loss of Licence :- A Pilot losing his licence shall forthwith give notice in that behalf to the Deputy Conservator, stating the circumstances in which the licence was lost and the Deputy Conservator, shall , unless he is satisfied that the loss has not been caused by the Piolot's misconduct, issue the pilot a temporary licence pending the grant of duplicate licence by the Board.

30. Pilot's Examination of charis – Every pilot shall attend the office of the Deputy Conservator or the Harbour Master to acquaint himself with the latest plans and charts of the Port and ascertain any other information concerning the port and also fill up the Harbour Master's Log book on completion of his pilotage duties every day.

31. Pilot's Uniform. - A pilot shall wear when on duty such uniform as may be prescribed by the Board.

32 Interpretation.- If any question arises as to the interpretation of these regulations, the same shall be referred to the Board for its decision.

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