An international maritime union is highlighting safety concerns within the Panama Canal after an apparent close call involving an assist tugboat and a post-Panamax ship within the lock chamber.
A video amplified by the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots’ (MM&P) affiliate in Panama shows a tugboat rapidly running out of space within the Agua Clara locks on March 5. With its stern approaching the lock gate, the tug ducks into the portside flare as the ship inches ever closer.
The MM&P issued a press release suggesting the incident was indicative of larger safety problems within the Panama Canal system.
“The locks were not ready, the chamber was not full, and the gates were closed, but the pilot went ahead anyway,” an unnamed tugboat captain said in a statement released by the MM&P. “A tug at the stern is a requirement to go through the locks, but there was no stern tug because the pilot did not want to wait for the second tug, which was with another vessel.”
Another unnamed captain said tugboat crews operate in “anarchy” within the Canal.
“Nothing is written down,” another unnamed tugboat captain said, highlighting what it considers safety issues within the waterway overseen by the Panama Canal Authority.
“There are no safety procedures, so pilots can do whatever they want,” the tug captain continued. “Two weeks ago, a pilot decided to enter the locks without a deckhand crew. Some of the pilots appear to think that they have the prerogative to enter the locks without stern tugs or line handlers and to travel at unsafe speeds through the Canal.”
Capt. Alvaro Moreno of the Panama Canal Pilots Union disputed claims made by the Unión de Capitanes y Oficiales de Cubierta (UCOC) representing Panama Canal tugboat captains.
In an email, he said it was important “not to jump into conclusions based on scanty information or unsubstantiated claims, which is exactly what the tug Masters Union (UCOC) did.”
“Within hours after the incident of March 5, they were already posting on social media claiming that a vessel ‘out of control’ was charging against a tugboat,” he continued.
“The vessel was under the control of a Panama Canal pilot and was maneuvering to enter the Agua Clara locks with the assistance of all five tugboats regularly assigned for this operation. An incident did take place, which is currently under investigation by the Canal authorities.”
The new Panama Canal locks no longer use the iconic electric locomotives to pull ships into position within the locks. Instead, tugboats are required to position vessels during their canal transits. The UCOC describes the work as labor intensive and demanding.
Details on the number of incidents and “close calls” within the Panama Canal could not be found by press time. Attempts to reach the Panama Canal Authority for comment were not successful.