Counterfeit pilot ladders and certificates—advisory note This Pilot Advisory Note (PAN) advises AMSA-licensed coastal pilots and pilotage providers about the existence of counterfeit pilot ladders and associated certification. Background In March 2019, one of AMSA’s Port Marine Surveyors identified a pilot ladder onboard a vessel which appeared (on initial inspection), […]
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Port of New South Wales issues new PTA Regulations
On July 3rd, 2023 The Port of New South Wales Harbour Authority issued Harbour Master Instruction HMI 23-03E, named ” Safe Marine Pilot Transfer (MPT) Arrangement – Pilot Ladder “. This Instruction sets regulations for ship’s masters and operators, which supersede IMO and ISO requirements. In short the maximum age of the […]
A comparison: Manila Rope vs. Sisal Rope for Pilotladder Ropes
Introduction When it comes to producing pilotladder ropes, selecting the right material is crucial to ensure strength, durability, and safety. The most popular choice is Manila rope, which is also prescribed for use in ISO 799:2019. There are also pilotladders made from sisal rope on the market, which obviously does […]
Blunt edge technology
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 […]
Master and company convicted after pilot ladder injury
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has secured a win for marine pilot safety, following the successful prosecution of a master and company in the Perth Magistrates Court on 23 May 2023. On 24 August 2022, the Cyprus-flagged cargo ship AAL Dampier (owned by AAL Dampier Navigation Co Ltd) was departing the Port of […]
Is your point strong enough?
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
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.
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 […]
20 Years of accidentology
The French Maritime Pilots Association today launched a very impressive and usefull instruction video on the safe and correct use of pilot ladder arrangements. Many thanks to the French pilots for this contribution to pilot ladder safety!