Minutes of the Teleconference Meeting of The New Jersey Maritime Pilot & Docking Pilot Commission September 16, 2014 The regular meeting of The New Jersey Maritime Pilot and Docking Pilot Commission was held via teleconference on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at One Penn Plaza East, 9 th Floor, Newark, NJ 07105. Commissioner Stapleton called the meeting to order at 10:00am. Open Public Meetings Statement Roll Call The following persons participated in the Teleconference Meeting: Commissioner Brian McEwing; Commissioner Charles Stapleton; Commissioner Charles Wowkanech; Andre Stuckey, Acting Executive Director, Shaquira Schoolfield, Temporary Assistant; Peter Simon, Esq.; Representative Governor s Authorities Unit; David Kahler, DAG; Captain Robert Flannery, President, Metro Pilots; Captain Louis Bettinelli, President Interport Pilots; Captain Richard Schoenlank, President, Sandy Hook Pilots; Captain Simon Zorovich, Representative Harbor Pilots. Approval of the August 19, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes Commissioner McEwing to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2014 regular meeting minutes. Acting Executive Director Report Ms. Stuckey introduced Ms. Shaquire Schoolfield from the Workonomics Temp Agency. Ms. Schoolfield s primary duties will be to provide administrative support and maintain the pilot s files. Ms. Stuckey informed the Commissioners that there is no Treasurers Report on the agenda since the report has to be reviewed and signed off on by the Treasurer before the Commission can vote on it. The report at the October 21, 2014 regular meeting will be for the months of September and October. Page 1 of 5
The next Harbor Ops Full Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2014. Ms. Stuckey will not be able to attend since she will be in Port Newark for the apprentice selection interviews. She will meet with Captains Richard Schoenlank and Robert Flannery the following week to get a report on any items that took place at the meeting. The Commission s rent has been increased from $2,134.00 to $2,169.00 as of July 1, 2014. Captains Mark Clark and Tina Vanderploeg will attend the NTSB Marine Accident Investigation Course the week of September 22, 2014. Upon their return Ms. Stuckey has tentatively set up a meet and greet with the Coast Guard and a tour of VTS during the week of October 6, 2014. Once she receives confirmation from Commander Grossman she will advise the Commission of the date and time. She encourages any Commissioners that are available to attend. Captain Glen Strathern will attend the NTSB Marine Accident Investigation Course at a later date. He will not be handling any investigation cases until he completes the training. The ILA has started to bring in new longshoreman. They are attempting to hire at least 240 new workers before January 1, 2015. The Sandy Hook Industry Harbor Tour will take place on Friday, September 19, 2014. Boarding will begin at 11:00am and the vessel will sail at 11:30am. Ms. Stuckey will meet anyone that needs transportation to the pier at the Commission s office at 11:00am. Public Comment Comment from Captain Robert Flannery, President Metro Pilots: Captain Flannery informed the Commission that the next working Harbor Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, September 18, 2014. He will brief Ms. Stuckey after the meeting. The buoys at Bergen Point have been put back in their original positions. Comments from Captain Richard J. Schoenlank, President The New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Association: Page 2 of 5
Captain Schoenlank informed the Commission that the point of the Sandy Hook channel is moving and the beach has encroached into the channel. The pilots have met with the Coast Guard and the Army Corp to discuss moving the buoys to the north edge of the channel into deeper water. They feel as if this will provide the Army Corp with more time to arrange for the maintenance dredging. It will also provide room for vessels to transit within the channel. All the permits to begin construction on the new pilot station have been approved and construction will begin shortly. Comment from Captain Louis Bettinelli, President Interport Pilots: Captain Bettinelli suggested that a letter from the Commission may help speed up the process to get the buoys in the Sandy Hook Channel moved. Ms. Stuckey will work with the pilot presidents to draft a letter in support of moving the buoys. Commissioner Stapleton advised the Commissioners that the number of pilot appearances will be higher than usual for the next three months. Committee Reports A. Apprentice Selection Committee: The Committee reviewed 68 applications and selected 50 for interviews. The interview process began on September 15, 2014 and will continue for two weeks. The Committee anticipates having a list of ten candidates and 4 alternates for the Commission to review at the October 21, 2014 regular meeting. B. Investigation Committee: I. MSC Rania February 2, 2014. This incident is still under investigation. II. Wanderer March 18, 2014. III. CSAV Lonconillia May 16. 2014. IV. Port Richmond May 29, 2014. V. STI Beryl June 14, 2014. VI. CMA CGM Matisse July 8, 2014. Ms. Stuckey informed the Commission that the direct cause of the power-loss has not been determined, however, the Coast Guard has Page 3 of 5
advised the vessel agent that the vessel will not be allowed to enter into the port of New York/New Jersey without proof that the vessel has been repaired. The Coast Guard will advise the Commission once the proof is received. Ms. Stuckey recommended that the case be closed with a finding of no-fault on the part of the pilot. A motion was made by Commissioner Wowkanech and seconded by Commissioner McEwing to accept the recommendations. VII. Puccini August 18, 2014. Old Business A. Masters on Cruise Vessels utilizing the Auto Pilot. Ms. Stuckey is working with Captain Richard Schoenlank, Commander Jack Olthuis and Frank Keane. Commander Olthuis is researching the different types of auto pilots that are being utilized. Once this information is put together the group will meet and discuss different options on how the pilots should respond. The group will then come to their respective Commissions with a recommendation on how to proceed. Resolution #14-24 to Approve the Upgrade of Maritime Pilot James R. Britton Commissioner Wowkanech to pass Resolution #14-24 to approve the upgrade of Captain James R. Britton from a pilot of the Third Grade to a pilot of the Fourth Grade. Resolution #14-25 to Approve the Upgrade of Maritime Pilot Captain David J. Graves Commissioner Wowkanech to pass Resolution #14-25 to approve the upgrade of Captain David J. Graves from a pilot of the Second Grade to a First Grade Pilot. Captain Graves will appear at the Commissions October 21, 2014 regular meeting to be sworn in as a First Grade Pilot. Executive Session Page 4 of 5
WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act provides that a public body such as The New Jersey Maritime Pilot and Docking Pilot Commission may meet in closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters, and WHEREAS, the Commission desires to meet in closed session to discuss such matters. NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Commission shall at this time meet in closed session to discuss such matters the substance of the closed session would be disclosed publicly only if it would not warrant an invasion of privacy or constitute a breach of the attorney client privilege. Commissioner Wowkanech that the Commission goes into Executive Session. The Commission went into Executive Session at 10:15am. Return to Public Session Commissioner McEwing that the Commission return to Public Session. The Commission returned to Public Session at 10:26am. Adjournment Commissioner McEwing that the meeting be adjourned. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 10:27am. Page 5 of 5