EMPA – The maritime pilot is an indispensable human resource

(Cover picture : Erik Dalege, president of the european maritime pilots association) While digitalization is undoubtedly a major transformation underway in the maritime industry, we must not forget the essential role played by humans in bringing ships to dock. A pilot is capable of escorting a ship with the appropriate level of safety, even if the digital means are failing and the weather is threatening. Far from pitting human expertise against new technologies, AIVP wants to emphasize the highly skilled analog work provided by pilots. In the way we imagine the "port of the future", the smartest option is to consider the complementarity between pilotage on the ship and the automation of certain operations. As part of our "human capital" content block, we were pleased to give Captain Erik Dalege, President of the European Maritime Pilots Association (EMPA), the opportunity to write an opinion piece. Erik Dalege - The word "analogue" seems to have fallen out of time in an era in which every profession sees radical changes due to the possibilities of digitalisation and automation – even in unexpected areas. These days, “analogue” tends to be used as the opposite of "digital". And since the word "digital" is equivalent to dynamic, modern and progressive, the term "analogue" now means old-fashioned, slow, and retrograde. The analogue human pilot What knowledge pilots must acquire during their training are described in detail in the Training Regulations for Maritime Pilots. They must have a very precise knowledge of all applicable legislation, local regulations, fairways, buoys, anchorages, lighthouses, beacons etc., and prove this knowledge in a state-approved examination. 19th century painting illustrating pilots But what further skills are required? Why are pronounced "analogue human abilities" so important for a pilot? It is a matter of recognising what resources are available, choosing which ones he needs, and determining how he can compensate possible shortcomings using his skills and his experience. First of all, he needs to assess the linguistic capabilities of the bridge team. The knowledge of the English language within the shipping sector is wildly heterogeneous, and in most cases anything but comprehensive. This is one of the pilot's most important duties: He acts as an intermediary for the necessary communication between the piloted vessel, the traffic centre, other traffic participants (ranging…