SAMIPTA showcased new ideas designed to engage the industry professionals, create the discussion and help propel the maritime sector around the next corner, into the future. SAMIPTA helped rediscovering the game changing technologies and unconventional ideas to keep this edge sharper than the rest. Capt Gajanan Karanjikar was the mind behind this brilliant concept.

The collaboration with Indian Maritime University, the only leading maritime institute under the Government of India was a crucial step. Dr Malini Shankar, VC, IMU came as a tower of strength with the affection she has for training and education.

Flyer of SAMIPTA

This year we honoured cadets from across the country and various maritime institutes. Using a range of formats and techniques, including archival video clips, extraordinary presumptions, these cadets informed, inspired and made an impact on our judges using only few minutes of thoughtfully produced presentations.

Cadet Shubham Thakur, one of the core committee members, welcomed all the guests and dignitaries. He shortly briefed the journey of SAMIPTA and the impact it had amongst the young minds. He invited Capt Rajesh Nambiar, Pilot, Kochi Port to give a detailed account of the hazards that pilots face on daily basis.

In a very lucid manner, Capt Nambiar explained the risks of job where he mentioned, that although this profession is very adventurous, yet it has its own perils. Some statistics of pilot ladder injuries/deaths annually and exclaimed for an urgent safety change with respect to the construction of the pilot ladder.

Introducing over 400 cadet registrations, 113 final submissions and 15 MTI’s, SAMIPTA was set for the biggest and world’s largest single subject research papers presentation ever!

Radhika Kumari from Indian Maritime University, Kolkata shared her experience from the student perspective.

Nostalgically, Capt Karanjikar recalls the day when he approached Dr Malini Shankar with the plan to conduct a nationwide research paper competition. He stated, “Although journey was tough, but to make a change possible you need to give it all.” He congratulated all the participants and thanked the guests for attending the event.

The most remarkable and strong women in the current maritime sector Dr Shankar played a stellar role in providing the backbone for SAMIPTA. She mentioned, “Even though the job of a pilot is very thrilling, the risks are too high.” She expressed her deepest concern for the pilot hazards and called out the need for an institutionalized approach to dealing with this harrowing hazard.

Meet the Judges

1. Chitta Dash, Ex-Area Manager, Lloyd’s Register, South- West Asia Head
2. Capt Jeanine Drummond, Managing Director, & Principal Advisor at Integral Maritime, Harbour Master, Master Mariner & An Industry Leader
3. Capt Savraj Mehta, CCO, North England UK, P&I Club

Hear the voice: from experts & executives (round 1)

Capt Vijay Sharma, Master Mariner & Visiting Faculty at MTIs took over by inviting the TOP HANDS of the maritime world, to know their prospect of SAMIPTA.

Jilian Carson Jackson mentioned that she had a very personal connection with the pilots, and believes that the energy is rising all across the globe for addressing this issue, and she is fully optimistic that a safety revolution is round the corner. Moreover, she was overwhelmed by the participation of the students, and was excited to see the papers.

Capt Rajesh Tandon, President, V Ships, India congratulated all the finalists and applauded the efforts of Capt Karanjikar for making this event possible, also urged the participants and the maritime intellectuals to come together and bring in change right at the fundamental level, i.e. the SOLAS regulation.

Capt MPBhasin, MD, MSC, India appreciated Capt Karanjikar for starting a safety revolution that will surely yield results in due time. He was excited to see the ideas, and urged the maritime sector to take up one of these ideas and implement it on a practical scale.

Mr Ed Verbeek gave examples of pilot ladder construction back in his day, and how the design hasn’t changed a single bit even after half a century. He called upon an urgent need to address this, and that too fundamental level, and thus applauded Capt Karanjikar’s efforts.

Capt Sankalp Shukla, Chairman FOSMA & MD, BSM, India reiterated the fact that pilot ladder safety hazard needs to be addressed at the earliest, and this research paper competition is going to be a cornerstone in the movement to bring a change.

Mr Shripad Ji Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways could not be present for the event due to his travel, amidst his busy schedule, sent a video message congratulating the efforts of Capt Karanjikar and stated “the situation of pilot ladder is worrisome and that he is aware of the dilapidated state.” He urged the younger generations to step up and bring in the shift that the maritime world so dearly needs. He appreciated the work of AIMPA for Pilot’s safety and assured everyone to be there for the next event involving Maritime Pilots.

Mr Sitki Bekir, Asia Pacific head of the IMO stated that safety regulations for pilot ladders are in place, it is no being followed, and hence due to non compliance with the safety regulations, leads to the hazards that are being faced worldwide” He also looks forward to the steps taken by the DG Shipping of India, and welcomes their reports on the same, and promised to work on it diligently if brought to the floor of the IMO.

Mr Arvind Chaudhary, MD, Indian Port Association expressed his deep concerns over the issue. He reassured that he will do everything in his capacity to bring in the necessary changes in the regulations mentioning pilot ladder safety.

Capt Vijay then urged all the special guests to give a thumb up, and declare the competition open.

What next generation say about SAMIPTA?

Cadet Md. Farhan Aqdus, member of the core committee, addressed the dignitaries and informed the rules for the competition.

The order of the presentations:

AMET, Chennai

IMU, Chennai

IMU, Kolkata

IMU MPC

IMU MPC

MANET, Pune

RLINS, Chennai

TMI, Pune

TMI, Pune

TS CHANAKYA, Mumbai

Each team gave their best with unique and striking solutions, for which judges were impressed and confused as well, upon out of the box response. Everyone in the team had very strong and logical approach towards the safety involving technology, keeping in mind the sole purpose of pilots/ pilot ladder onboard.

Cadet Farhan thanked all the sponsors namely; FOSSMA, MASSA, PTR HOLLAND and HIMT Chennai. The first (winner) prize was sponsored by HIMT and runner up was sponsored by FOSMA and MASSA. Indo 4.0 prize was sponsored by PTR Holland, a leading pilot ladder manufacturing company.

Hear the voice: from experts, executives & sponsors (round 2)

Capt Shiv Halbe, CEO, MASSA mentioned “He was pleasantly shocked to see the depth of the ideas that the cadets have presented and believed that the maritime sector is in very bright hands and minds, and urged them to keep these spirits up.”

Mr Maneesh Pradhan, MD, Anglo Eastern Ship Management said that the intensity of the situation is grave, and that with cadets coming up with these overwhelmingly supreme ideas makes him reassured about the future of the industry. He extended all possible help, from his end to get these papers to their rightful place.

Mr Sanjiv Vakil, CEO, HIMT thanked all the participants in general for their outstanding efforts, and stated that everyone is a winner, no matter if you get the winning certificate or not.

Capt Prashant Rangnekar, COO, Elegant Marine Services stunned by the unique ideas presented, and urged all maritime sector to encourage these students by taking up their ideas and implementing in the most feasible manner.

The other guest lectures included Mr Ravi Nijjer, Capt. Nalin Pandey and Capt. Mahesh Yadav.

Reflection of our Teams & Winners

The winner: Tolani Marine Institute, Pune for their excellent and futuristic presentation on the remote-controlled pilotage. Although the subject is under research but the credit was given to them which suggested the technology use and feasibility angle which was put in presentation. Prize consisted of INR 18000 cash and certificate and trophy.

The runner up: AMET University, Chennai for the innovative presentation of Drone technology to transfer the pilot. This also had a futuristic scenario which the judge liked the most. The video presentation actually got the maximum attention. The prize consisted of INR 12000, Trophy + certificate.

The Ind 4.0 prize: This was reserved for Industry 4.0 solution. It was awarded to IMU Mumbai port campus, they presented the two ideas one of them was the use of the remote pilotage and successful demonstration of 3D printing.

The additional prize was declared by Capt Karanjikar, which was awarded to IMU Kolkata team for telescopic scissor technology which that envisaged after scrutinizing the entire risks involved in pilot transfer. Their innovation also included app-based pilot devises to understand the dynamic load on the attachments to the hull which caught the Judges attention.

Not only winners and runner ups but all the participants right from the beginning contributed a lot of time, research & knowledge for SAMIPTA. We all are gratified for their efforts towards the research. It was an event like never before. All these prizes were not given on compassionate ground but to encourage the students who did spend their energy for betterment of maritime world.

It was an awe to see leaders come forward to declare cash prizes to the students, MASSA CEO declared INR 5000 prize to each team in top 10 and Capt Nalin Pandey of Pentagon Marine Pvt Ltd declared instantaneous prize of INR 5000 for the remaining six teams.

HIMT came out with the declaration of giving prizes to other 15 teams who did not make in the top 10.

Capt Savraj Mehta generously during the judging discussions suggested INR 3000 to six non-winning teams which was really a great gesture as he was declaring this in his personal capacity.

The programme was concluded by the very extensive vote of thank eloquently delivered by Cdt Rishabh and Vande mataram showing pilot activities in port, embedded in to the video.

Marex Media