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THE OFFICIALS MEDAL
AWARDED TO
CAPTAIN ARTHUR BIAGGI
CAPTAIN CORNELIUS KEATING
On 15 April 2006, the loaded container ship
M/V MAERSK GEORGIA was inbound from sea to Port Elizabeth,
New Jersey. While en route through the Kill Van Kull,
and while approaching the Bayonne Bridge-Bergen Point area,
severe fog conditions were suddenly encountered.
The ship immediately ahead of the MAERSK
GEORGIA the M/V NEW DELHI EXPRESS, struck a submerged object
passing the "14" buoy, causing the MAERSK GEORGIA to have to
stop and then hold her position in the dense fog.
The MAERSK GEORGIA's master, Captain Solito,
Docking Pilot Captain Arthur Biaggi and Sandy Hook Pilot
Captain Cornelius Keating were then faced with having to
find a place of safety for the MAERSK GEORGIA in a narrow,
restricted waterway in zero visibility in a flood tide.
Captain Biaggi, through exceptionally
skillful use of his assigned assist tugs, and Captain
Keating, using his electronic navigation equipment and
handling radio communications with USCG/VTS and others,
began to slowly and carefully back the MAERSK GEORGIA
against the flood tide for more than 1.5 miles through the
Kill Van Kull until they were eventually able to find a safe
berth and carefully secure the ship alongside Pier 5C at
IMTT Bayonne. This emergency maneuver lasted for four
hours. When the channel was finally clear and the fog
dissipated, they then continued the MAERSK GEORGIA's transit
through the Kill Van Kull and safely completed their passage
to Berth 98, Port Elizabeth.
CITATION: For exceptional
achievement, courage, and high ability in carrying out their
assigned pilotage missions, Captain Arthur Biaggi and
Captain Cornelius Keating have demonstrated outstanding ship
handling skills and teamwork under extremely adverse
circumstances. The Board of Commissions of Pilots of
the State of New York awards to each of them, the Official's
Medal for the exceptional efforts they made to safely pilot
and maneuver the MAERSK GEORGIA to protect the safety of
navigation and the environment in the Port of New York/New
Jersey. Their actions reflect great credit upon them
and their profession. Excelsior.
Dated 20 June 2006
By Order of:
The Board of Commissioners of Pilots
of the State of New York
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