The UK Maritime Pilot’s Association has called for more action to improve safety for marine pilots after one of its members was killed in an incident earlier this month.
Francesco Galia died on 8 January 2023 while transferring from a pilot transfer boat to Finnlines’ 1,890-lane metre ro-ro Finnhawk (built 2001) in the Humber Estuary.
“We urge the maritime industry and regulatory authorities, once again, to prioritise safety and training with regard to the transfer of pilot and crew,” the UKMPA said.
It also called for investments in “safe and reliable” technologies to ensure that maritime pilots and seafarers “return home safe after every voyage”.
Galia had worked as a pilot for two decades and was “known for his passion for the maritime industry and his dedication to his job,” the UKMPA said.
“His loss is all the more devastating as we understand that he was to shortly retire after many years of service in the maritime industry.
“This tragedy highlights the risks and challenges faced by maritime pilots every day they go to work…transferring from one vessel to another by nothing more than a rope ladder. This is always a risky procedure,” the UKMPA said.
“The movement of the pilot boat bringing the pilot alongside, the ship’s motion, and the potential for equipment failure, requires precise timing and coordination of the ship, the pilot vessel and the exact judgement of the pilot as they step from one moving platform to another, often in pitch darkness in the dead of night.”
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said it has launched an inquiry into the circumstances of Galia's death.
“A team of MAIB inspectors and technical staff were deployed to the accident site…and are in the process of gathering evidence to understand the circumstances that led to this tragic accident,” the MAIB said.
“The purpose of MAIB’s investigation is to improve safety and where lessons can be learnt, recommendations will be made to prevent reoccurrence.”
Associated British Ports (ABP) is understood to employ a team of 92 Humber pilots, according to reports by the BBC.
In a statement, ABP said: “ABP is saddened to confirm that that one of our marine pilots was fatally injured during operations on the water. The gentleman's next of kin have been informed. Our thoughts are very much with those closest to him.
