From: “Capt. Michael Miller” <michael.miller@barpilot.com>
Date: October 3, 2025 at 10:27:49 CDT
To: Ron Branch <ron.branch@louisianamaritime.org
Cc: “E. Michael Bopp” <embopp@crescentpilots.com>
Subject: Letter from BOE
Good morning Gentlemen!
Please find attached a letter from our Board of Examiners recommending that all LNG ships transiting Southwest Pass have trim by the stern. As a point of perspective, our Board of Examiners deal with any and all issues related to Bar pilots during the performance of their duties. As stated in the letter they rarely make recommendations so take that into consideration when weighing the significance of this letter. Please forward to all your member ship agents to include in their initial correspondence with any LNG vessels. We tried to get this accomplished by including in the Venture Global marine manual and in discussions with vessel masters, unfortunately, several of the vessels are not complying with our initial request so our Board of Examiners felt it necessary to engage at their level. Hopefully, this will resolve the issue, and we will find compliance moving forward instead of excuses why it cannot be done, at some point we will find ourselves in much more challenging environmental conditions.
Please feel free to call with any questions and thank you for helping disseminate to your members.
Allt he best.
Michael
Capt. Michael T. D. Miller
President
Associated Branch Pilots
(504) 831-6615
