News

Blunt edge technology

Herman Broers

It is no secret that sharp deck edge of a ship will cause damage to the pilotladder and that is a dangerous and costly thing. Recently Capt. Arie Palmers came across a ship where the sharp deck edge had been covered by a rounded plate. A very simple, cost effective […]

Is your point strong enough?

Herman Broers

The issue of the proper securing of a pilot ladder is one of the main topics of the website pilotladdersafety.com. Using a designated strong point on deck is always the best possible way to go. Given the fact that the combined sideropes have a SWL of 9,6 tonnes, these strong […]

Video: why retrieval lines can be dangerous

Herman Broers

Retrieval lines are mainly used – as the name implies – to retrieve the pilot ladder after use. It has often been argued that they can be trip hazards for pilots, getting on- or off the speed tender. The rule of the thumb for the correct use of the retrieval […]

Fall arrestors or not, here’s why not.

Herman Broers

When it comes to pilotladder safety, the question sometimes arises on why we don’t use fall arrestors in the pilotage industry. That is a very legitimate question from a shore-based point of view. However with two independent vertically moving platforms – the ship and the pilot tender – that becomes […]