Advisory to Shipping No. A-22-2013
The Panama Canal enjoys an excellent safety record, which is mainly due to the extensive training that is required of our pilots. In order to continue providing this excellent service, training on board transiting vessels is essential. Nevertheless a number of recent reports have brought to Panama Canal Authority attention the reluctance of several masters to allow Panama Canal pilots in training to maneuver their vessels under supervision and control of Panama Canal pilots as part of their rewuired training program.
Pilot is compulsory in Canal waters based on the Regulation on Navigation in Panama Canal Waters, Article 90, Section One, Chapter V, Pilotage. Additionally, Article 92 states that the pilot assigned to a vessel shall have control of the navigation and movement of such a vessel. Masters should be aware that Panama Canal pilots on board vessels are in control of the navigation and are not in advisory capacity. This control does not cease while a pilot in training is executing maneuvres under the supervision of the qualified pilot. An integral and fundamental part of their training is precisely the hand-on part part, which can only be performed by allowing them to execute maneuvers and handle vessels while transiting waterway.
Panama Canal Authority kindly requests shipping agents, owners and operators of transiting vessels or vessels calling at Panama Canal terminal ports to disseminate this information to the masters of these vessels.