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• The European Union will consider expanding its anti-piracy
mission off the coast of Somalia as pirates along one of the most heavily sea corridors
venture farther south to attack commercial vessels. Officials may agree on changes,
although it will not divert from its original objectives. Current presence consists of six
warships and four surveillance planes, supplied by eight EU countries in the EU ATALANTA
initiative.
• From November on, the Netherlands Shipping Inspection has started
an initiative to inspect the lashing of containers before ships leave the Port of
Rotterdam. Aim is to trace whether containers have not been properly lashed or not been
lashed at all. Reason is the loss of containers in the northern part of the Northsea
during the recent autumn storms. They are a hazard to navigation and create inconvenience
for the coastal regions. The Shipping Inspection is assisted by the Port of Rotterdam.
• The EU has made it clear that it cannot be counted on to respond
nor can it be held responsible for shiphijackings outside the defined EU NAVFOR area of
operations in the waters off Somalia. The message followed a claim from the stone-dumping
vessel “Pompei” which was hijacked by pirates outside the European naval
force’s area of operations. This was confirmed by the Council of Ministers.
• Recently the National Maritime College of Ireland were presented
with their certificates of compliance with the recognised international ISO 9000 standard.
The presentation took place in Northwood, Dublin, and the NMCI was the first third level
Institution in Ireland to receive the award. The national NMCI combines education and
training for naval as well as merchant navy personnel.
• With a simple ceremony on board EU NAVFOR Dutch warship
”Evertsen”, RADM Giovanni Gumiero has taken over command of Task Force 465 from
RADM Pieter Bindt, Netherlands Navy. The Italian Navy Admiral will lead the Multinational
Anti-Piracy Maritime Force in conducting the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) –
operation ATALANTA, on board the Italian Auxiliary Ship ”Etna” for the next four
months.
• CESMA is invited to present a paper during the second seminar of
the European Commission on piracy in Brussels on 3 March 2010. The seminar will be
dedicated to the human element in piracy.
CESMA is invited to organise an event during European Maritime Day which will be
celebrated at the Asturian port of Gijon on 20th May 2010. As a consequence, the Board is
aiming at organising our 15th Annual General Assembly in this Spanish city. Although our
colleagues from Bilbao and Barcelona are not able to render direct assistance, we
nevertheless plan to proceed.
As extra event we are aiming to organise a short seminar together with other European
maritime organisations such as pilots (EMPA) and Harbourmasters (EHMC) to present our
organisations to Europe.
Dates for the agenda will be 20 and 21 May 2010
The Board of CESMA wishes all members and supporters and
their families a prosperous and healthy year 2010 and the colleagues on board always fair
winds.
RESOLUTIONS
FROM THE CESMA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON 26
MAY 2009 AT THE PALAZZO
SAN GIORGIO, GENOA, ITALY
Resolution
nr. 1: Piracy and armed robbery
The 14th
CESMA Annual General Assembly in Genoa, Italy, discussed the problem of piracy and armed
robbery against ships in various parts of the world, the Gulf of Aden in particular All
means to prevent these criminal acts should be activated to protect the lives of seafarers
Yet CESMA denounces the use of fire arms and armed guards on board ships as it could
escalate violence and threaten the safety of the ship and the lives of seafarers
Protection by navy units and personnel is approved but the use of military personnel on
board is still to be discussed as it could also cause violence during a confrontation with
pirates. The important issue remains the responsibility of any decision and the
consequences.
Resolution
nr. 2: Criminalisation of seafarers.
The Assembly
noticed that the problem of criminalisation of seafarers continues to be a matter of great
concern A number of new cases showed that co-operation between all parties concerned is
the best solution to tackle this phenomenon. CESMA will participate and co-operate
whenever necessary or appropiate
Resolution
nr. 3: Fatigue and safe manning
The Assembly
noticed with concern that the IMO still has not really considered this issue as urgent
notwithstanding the initiatives of several stakeholders and administrations. CESMA
supports the recent proposal by IFSMA and ITF, requiring three certified watchkeepers on
each seagoing vessel of 500 GT and more. As remark should be noted that this new
legislation should be implemented after not less than 5 years to give parties concerned
the possibility to adapt to these new measures. CESMA also stresses the longtime
consequences of fatigue with regard to the health of seafarers concerned.
Resolution
nr. 4: Shortage of seafarers in EU nations
The Assembly
shares the concern of the European Parliament and Commission that the number of EU
seafarers is declining rapidly. As a consequence the shortage will increase and apart from
the problem in manning vessels under a European flag, there is a risk that maritime
knowledge and experience will disappear within the EU, also for shorebased positions.
CESMA will co-operate, if appropriate, with any organisation in the EU to make a seafaring
career more attractive. This includes supporting maritime
educating and training institutions in the EU,
Resolution
nr. 5: Master/pilot relationship
The Assembly is
still not convinced that the relationship between master and pilot on board a vessel is
properly stipulated. Although technical developments assist more and more during
navigation in port areas, responsibility remains with the master, who therefore is
entitled to possess all relevant information. Understanding and consultation among parties
concerned is therefore seen as crucial.
Resolution
nr. 6: Jamming of GPS
The Assembly is
informed about the danger of jamming satellite navigation equipment with simple means.
With the slow disappearance of knowledge of celestial navigation, those present at the
Assembly express their concern on future means to navigate in the event of an emergency or
a breakdown of satellite navigation.
Resolution
nr. 7: Search and Rescue in the Northern
Black Sea and the Sea of Azov
Latest
incidents show that the situation in the above waters have not improved with regard to
Search and Rescue. New victims have been reported after shipping accidents without proper
action taken, mainly due to insufficient equipment and communication. The Bulgarian
Shipmasters’ Association proposes an IMO conference to be organised in 2010 with the
co-operation of the IMO, the Bulgarian Administration, IFSMA and CESMA. This initiative is
supported by the CESMA Assembly.
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