COMMISSION OPINION of 24 September 1980 addressed to the Italian Government concerning the implementation of Council Directive 79/115/EEC of 21 December 1978 on piloting of vessels by deep-sea pilots in the North Sea and English Channel (80/946/EEC)

1. On 8 May 1980, pursuant to Article 2 of Directive 79/115/EEC, the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Communities forwarded to the Commission a memorandum from the Ministry for Merchant Shipping requesting the National Shipping Federation and the National Shipowners Federation to encourage vessels flying the Italian flag seeking pilotage to avail themselves, in the North Sea and the English Channel, only of the services of adequately qualified deep-sea pilots in possession of either a certificate issued by the competent authority of a Member State on the North Sea or English Channel as laid down in Article 1 (1) of the Directive, or a certificate considered to be equivalent.

2. Examination of this memorandum showed the Commission that the Italian Government has complied fully with its obligations regarding implementation of the Directive concerned.

Done at Brussels, 24 September 1980.

For the Commission

Richard BURKE

Member of the Commission