Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Petroleum Ports Authority
Pilotage is compulsory for all Vessels calling at or departing from terminals within the Ports, other than the Vessels listed below, or as otherwise ordered by the Harbour Master.
In all above mentioned cases, however the Harbour Master may enforce the use of a Pilot in the pursuit of securing safety, in which case appropriate tariff for the availed Marine Service shall apply.
Vessels may be piloted to or from berths only after pre arrival or pre departure formalities have been completed, and all required information has been submitted to the Harbour Master, the Petroleum Ports Authority and the Pilot.
Any organization, legal entity or individual may only provide Pilotage Services in the Ports and in the waters leading to these Ports if they hold a valid License for that purpose.
A Pilotage License shall specify either directly or by reference to other instruments of the Petroleum Ports Authority:
No person(s) may act as a Pilot within the Ports or in the waters leading to or from these Ports, unless:
The duty of a Pilot is confined to offering advice to the Master of the Vessel. No Pilot appointed by the Petroleum Ports Authority when acting in his capacity as a Pilot, shall be deemed to be in command of any Vessel.
A Pilot provided by the Petroleum Ports Authority will undertake the pilotage, anchorage, mooring and sailing of Vessels subject to the understanding that in all circumstances, the Master of any Vessel remains solely responsible, on behalf of his owners, for the safety and proper navigation of his Vessel.
All marine crafts owned by or under command of the Petroleum Ports Authority, and all UAE government or naval vessels are exempt from pilotage.
The Petroleum Ports Authority may issue a pilotage exemption certificate to an individual if after an assessment it is satisfied that the individual concerned fulfills the requirements set by the Petroleum Ports Authority for this purpose.
An exemption certificate issued under Article 6.2.12 hereof shall be valid for a maximum of one year. The Petroleum Ports Authority may revoke it earlier on valid grounds.
Vessels with a Pilot on board, shall by day display the International signal flag “H” in a prominent position whilst maneuvering under his advice and by night, as determined by the Petroleum Ports Authority.
The Vessel’s Master shall comply fully with the requirements of safe embarkation and disembarkation of Pilots as prescribed by the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) & International Maritime Organization IMO.
N.B. Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot boarding arrangements may be obtained from IMPA at Pilot Transfer Arrangements.
The Master of a Vessel is obliged to inform the Harbour Master and Pilot of any damage, defects or special circumstances that may affect the safety of navigation prior to entering the Port.
Any organization, legal entity or individual may only provide towage services in the Ports and in the waters leading to these Ports if they hold a valid License for that purpose. The License shall specify the requirements that the organization must fulfil in the interest of order, safety and efficiency in Port.
All vessels which are used for towage services shall comply with the requirements laid down by the Petroleum Ports Authority. Such compliance shall be verifiable by the scrutiny of certification issued by a Petroleum Ports Authority recognized institution. In the interest of safety of towage, the Petroleum Ports Authority shall prescribe requirements and rules with respect to the number, health, skills and proficiency of the crews on board such vessels.
Pilots and Vessels Master shall always utilize Tug/s as per the Petroleum Ports Authority’s Tug usage requirements.
However, when deemed justifiable, the Harbour Master along with the representative of the Marine Service provider may agree to other / alternate usage, always within the limits of the assets available for use. If any additional tug is used for ensuring the safety of operations, it will be charged to the owners as per the tariff appended in 3.2.6.
When towage is provided the Master and crew of the Tug shall be considered employees of the hirer and shall be under his control or that of his agents.
For the application of this section it is deemed that:
The Master/Agent of any Vessel shall ensure that the mooring and unmooring services are only provided by Line handlers who belong to an Organization duly licensed for this purpose by the Petroleum Ports Authority.