Master — Pilot relationship
Despite the duties and obligations of a pilot, his presence on board does not relieve the master or officer in charge of the watch from their duties or obligations for the safety of the ship. The master and pilot shall exchange information regarding the navigation procedures, local conditions and the ship’s characteristics. The master and officer of the watch shall co-operate closely with the pilot and maintain an accurate check of the ship’s position and movement.
Pilots are engaged for a variety of reasons depending on circumstances which include pilotage based upon local knowledge, liaison, ship handling and bridge support. The duty of the pilot is to direct the navigation of the ship and to conduct it so far as the course and speed of the ship is concerned. He liaises with the VTS, organises the use of tugs and advises on the use of moorings and towing lines.
‘To conduct a ship’, as the Pilot does, must not be confused with ‘being in command of a ship’. The first expression refers to action, to a personal service being employed; the second to a power. The question whether a pilot has control of navigation is a question of fact not of law. The fact that a pilot has been given control of the ship for navigational purposes does not mean that the pilot has superseded the master. The master is, and remains, in command; he is the authority on board. He may, and does, delegate part of this authority to pilots whom he employs to navigate his ship. A delegation of power is not an abandonment of authority but one way of exercising authority.
It has never been easy for the master to question the advice given by the pilot who has the required local knowledge but does not have the ultimate responsibility for the ship, her crew and her cargo. The advice given by the Pilot is that a full plan of action is exchanged between the master and pilot as soon as the pilot boards the vessel. This is all very well for departure but in many cases it is just not possible when the vessel is entering a port. By the time the pilot has boarded and been taken up to the bridge it is very often essential to start proceeding inwards immediately to avoid going aground or hampering other vessels. In the vast majority of cases the pilot works professionally alongside the master and officers to make up an efficient and safe Bridge Team.