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2.2 Deputy P.J. Rondel of St. John of the Minister for Economic Development regarding the qualifications held by the Ships Master at the time of the accident involving the States tug:
Further to his response on 12th September 2011, will the Minister detail all of the qualifications that the Ships Master held at the time of the accident involving the States tug and advise whether the Master holds local pilot qualifications for Jersey waters and whether he has (a) to (j) housing qualifications?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean (The Minister for Economic Development):
The Master holds a Republic of Panama certificate issued under the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers in the capacity of master with limitations listed as none. He also holds other Panamanian certificates, U.K. (United Kingdom) certificates in small ships, navigation and radar, personal safety and social responsibilities and ship security as well as an Irish medical certificate. However, he does not hold a cargo masters unlimited certificate, as I stated on 12th September. I included that qualification in my previous answer following written advice from Jersey Harbours. But the use of the word "cargo" was a genuine mistake as in the Spanish language it means function or position and was wrongly thought to refer to the type of vessel. The Master does not hold a Jersey pilot's licence, but nor does he need to under the Harbour Master directions issued under the Pilotage Law. He does not hold (a) to (j) housing qualifications. Thank you, Sir.
- The Deputy of St. John :
Given that in the reply by the Minister at the last sitting in which he said he would forward the Deputy full details of the qualifications of the Master, can he explain to us why this did not happen? Also, if the Master does not hold local housing qualifications, where does he live on-Island or does he commute? If he commutes, what period of time does he spend on Island?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
I did say to the Deputy of St. John that I would forward details as to whether the Master had pilot qualifications. In fact I did circulate to the Deputy . He thanked me and he made comment to the fact my response was somewhat delayed. I circulated it to all Members at the time. As far as accommodation is concerned, the Master occupies a room that is negotiated at the Hotel de La Plage.
- Connétable M.K. Jackson of St. Brelade :
Given that Panama is quite a long way from St. Aubin's Bay, would the Minister consider reviewing the process of employing Masters on these sort of duties, so that they do take on people that are rather more familiar with the local surroundings?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
The Connétable raises a very valid point. I would point out though that any Master coming to the Island, as part of an agency arrangement, is clearly not going to be familiar with local waters. As such, familiarisation is undertaken and that happened in this particular case. This particular Master is very experienced, as I pointed out before, all around the UK. He is an experienced Master.
- The Deputy of St. John :
Given that we have an experienced Master at the helm of this vessel, will the Minister make sure that he has appropriate accommodation other than just a room, as he has described? Given he is living on Island full-time. I would expect a Master who is well-paid to have possible a (j) cat or something similar. At the same time, will he make sure that there are no local qualified people that could do the job?
Senator A.J.H. Maclean:
In reverse order, there are no local qualified individuals who can carry out this job, as far as I am told. However, I would point out that this arrangement in terms of using an agency to provide Masters for the tug has been undertaken as a temporary measure. It will occur for approximately a year. I would point out to Members that in fact it delivers a significant saving, £20,000 to £30,000 in the year over the previous arrangement of employing somebody directly. But I do emphasise it is a temporary measure while the Marine Section is being reviewed.