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, 9th 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
A motion was made by Commissioner Wowkanech and seconded by
Commissioner McEwing to approve the minutes of the August 19,
2014 regular meeting minutes. All voted in favor.
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.
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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:
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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
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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. All voted in favor.
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
A motion was made by Commissioner McEwing and seconded by
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.
All voted in favor.
Resolution #14-25 to Approve the Upgrade of Maritime Pilot
Captain David J. Graves
A motion was made by Commissioner McEwing and seconded by
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.
All voted in favor.
Captain Graves will appear at the Commissions October 21,
2014 regular meeting to be sworn in as a First Grade Pilot.
Executive Session
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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.
A motion was made by Commissioner McEwing and seconded by
Commissioner Wowkanech that the Commission goes into Executive
Session.
All voted in favor.
The Commission went into Executive Session at 10:15am.
Return to Public Session
A motion was made by Commissioner Wowkanech and seconded by
Commissioner McEwing that the Commission return to Public
Session.
All voted in favor.
The Commission returned to Public Session at 10:26am.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Wowkanech and seconded by
Commissioner McEwing that the meeting be adjourned. All voted
in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:27am.
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