Assessment of Georgian marine pilots training and certification system

Pilots with knowledge of local specifications have been employed to safely navigate the vessels for centuries already. Georgian pilots have been safely navigating ships without any major incidents so far. However, the maritime industry in Georgia is expanding rapidly, with new ports and larger vessels, which will increase the demand for highly skilled pilots. In order to maintain navigation safety and prevent accidents, it is essential to elevate the standards of maritime pilot services and identify the areas for improvement in national requirements. This study compares Georgia's marine pilot training and certification procedures with international guidelines and best practices of other countries. A qualitative analysis was conducted of the national legislation and regulations of Georgia and other marine countries that were thought to have the best practices in maritime pilotage. Also, compliance with IMO resolution A.960 (23) “Recommendations on training and certification and operational procedures for maritime pilots other than deep-sea pilot” was analyzed. Finally, a thorough review and comparison was conducted on the documents. Comparative analysis revealed the necessity to develop an enhanced and detailed supplementary regulatory framework pilotage certification program, having regard to the technical and natural characteristics of the region, as well as the best practices of other nations and recommendations of important advisory regulations.