A Note from President Capt. John Carlier
Earlier this month, the San Francisco Bar Pilots were swiftly dispatched to the emergency scene of a four-alarm fire that broke out at the Port of Benicia. Our pilots safely maneuvered three ships from the berth and out of danger, allowing fireboats to reach and battle the flames directly from the water.
I’d like to acknowledge and thank Capt. David McCloy, Capt. Jesse Pullin, and Capt. Ray Ridens for being on the front lines of responding to this emergency as well as the firefighters for their expertise and courageous work that contained and extinguished the blaze, and the tugboat crews aboard the Delta Cathryn and Apollo for their work fighting the fire and assisting the ships from their berths. Due to the coordinated efforts of those who responded to the scene, the fire was fully extinguished within 24 hours. We are grateful that no one was injured in the fire, and we are proud of our pilots who responded quickly and professionally to support the effort.
Our pilots’ highly specialized knowledge of one of the most challenging pilotage grounds in the world – as well as their being on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and no matter the conditions – uniquely positions our association to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies around the San Francisco Bay. The safety and security of the San Francisco Bay is critical to this mandate.
Keep reading this edition to view on scene photos taken by our pilots – and to learn more about the Bar Pilots’ emergency response process in an interview with Capt. David McCloy.
Sincerely,
Capt. John Carlier
Meet a Bar Pilot: Capt. David McCloy on the Bar Pilots’ Role in Securing the Bay
We recently sat down with Captain McCloy to hear first-hand how he, along with Captain Pullin and Captain Ridens worked swiftly and safely in response to the recent fire at the Port of Benicia.
On April 9th, Captain David McCloy’s shift started like any other, he arrived early to move a ship docked at the Port of Benicia. When he arrived, he found the cargo terminal next to his ship was on fire. “As I arrived, there were already several fire crews battling the flames, by the time I got on my ship they were getting ahead of it.”
Captain McCloy immediately got on board his ship and began preparing to depart, however, while onboard he noticed the fire was moving to a remote part of the pier under the dock. He scrambled some tugs to begin suppressing the fire, “two tugs were already there to assist with the ships, so I directed them to start fighting the fire, I then called the Benicia fire department and told them that there was a new fire developing”.
Working closely with Vessel Traffic Service, Captain McCloy moved quickly with two other pilots to clear the ships from their berths and away from the fire, allowing the fireboats to access the growing fire underneath the pier. “The tugs helped Captain Pullin’s ship out first since his vessel was at most risk. Once Pullin arrived at the scene, he was clear of the berth quickly.”
Captain McCloy’s ship was the last to leave, “being a Bar Pilot means regularly navigating difficult situations, whether it is a ship with engine failure or rushing to move ships away from a pier fire – a lot of our time is managing risk and dealing with the issues as they develop.”
BOPC Seeks to Address Pilot Rate Reform Process
The California Board of Pilot Commissioners’ Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Pilotage Rate Setting Process released its report of its formal recommendation to improve the State’s rate-setting regulations. The Ad Hoc Committee reviewed various pilotage rate-setting processes throughout the country to determine whether changes to the Bar Pilot’s current pilotage rate-setting process would be beneficial to the State, Board-licensees, and the shipping industry. The Committee recommended to the BOPC that it propose updates to the statutory pilotage rate-setting process and advocate for changes to both the Administration and the Legislature. We look forward to continuing to work closely on the implementation of the report’s recommendations with the Governor’s office, CalSTA, elected state leaders, and our industry partners to ensure that we improve California’s maritime infrastructure and help keep California’s economy growing.
Welcoming Senator Scott Wiener to Pier 9
We were thrilled to host Senator Scott Wiener for a tour of our Pier 9 HQ in San Francisco and of the San Francisco Bay on board one of our Pilot boats. Senator Wiener joined Capt. Anne McIntyre and Capt. John Carlier on a trip to the anchorage area to see the container ships that are awaiting entry to the Port of Oakland and learn more about the Bar Pilots’ role in alleviating the ongoing supply chain congestion that many West Coast ports are facing. Thank you Senator Wiener — we look forward to continuing our work with you and hope to have you back with us soon.
Congratulations Captain Anne McIntyre!
Congratulations to our very own Anne McIntyre for receiving the Cal Maritime Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award! The Lifetime Achievement Award represents the highest honor bestowed by Cal Maritime and awards alumni who have made significant contributions to their industries, their chosen profession, and to the academy over the course of their careers. Captain McIntyre has helmed the Bar Pilots, serving as the pilot association’s Business Director since 2019 and her decades-long maritime career includes selection by the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots to become the first woman Columbia River Pilot, as well as volunteer work and service on several boards. Click the link below to read more about Anne’s illustrious career in The Maritime Executive.
Congratulations CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin
Congratulations to Toks Omishakin for your appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency. Secretary Omishakin previously served as Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) since 2019. Under Secretary Omishakin’s leadership, Caltrans worked to accelerate more than 100 roadway projects during the pandemic, adjusted operations to help keep goods moving amid supply chain challenges and spearheaded the Clean California program. We look forward to working with Secretary Omishakin to address our state’s supply chain challenges and improve our maritime infrastructure.
