Getting on and off a pilot ladder safely requires the right setup of handholds or handhold-stanchions. The regulations and guidelines regarding these items are very clear about which type of handholds should be used. Also, the technical particulars are well defined in IMO Guidelines 1045(27). In practice however, a lot […]
News
SNAKES OR LADDERS : A mixed methodology review into the boarding and landing of maritime pilots
In this recent study, Ewan Rattray MSc MM, conducted research aimed at investigating the factors affecting compliance of pilot transfer arrangements (PTA’s). The researcher identifies the nature of the regulations, PTA regulation enforcement, training, statistics, safety culture and vessel design as possible factors. Pilots feel helpless in the battle against […]
Arie Palmers: Dangerous Ladders
Source : maritime journal.com Arie Palmers: “Save one guy, you start to save the world.” If you’re intent on getting a message out about dangerous, potentially fatal mistakes to the man in the street, “you need to use street language – not three pages of technical text”, Dutch pilot Arie […]
Securing Pilot Ladders at Intermediate Lengths
By: Kevin Vallance Over the past few years a number of pilot transfer accidents have occurred resulting from total failure of the side ropes, one school of thought is that the methods of securing a pilot ladder is a factor in such occurrences. In my opinion the current regulations for […]
Dardanelles pilot accident
Eray Demirkol, one of the Dardanelles Pilots, fell from the pilot ladder into the sea on his way aboard the ship Lord Nelson. Captain Eray Demirkol was reportedly taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. The accident occurred in front of Gallipoli at 19:00 Turkish time. The ship was headed […]
Results of the online survey into the securing methods of pilot ladders
In december 2020, research was conducted into the securing methods of pilot ladders at intermediate length. Using an online survey, 486 observations have been received from pilots around the world, the majority of which came from Europe (78%). Conclusions: It has been shown that a majority (51%) of pilot ladders […]
Know your pilot ladder in less than eight minutes
Here is an excellent online tool to help you maintain and inspect your pilot ladder:
China urges IMO to improve pilot ladder safety regulations
China has urged the IMO Sub Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NSCR) to consider the following issues relating to pilot transfer arrangements (PTA’s): China acknowledges that trapdoor incidents have been expienced in their national waters. Furthermore, China identified the following issues regarding pilot ladder safety: IMPA reported […]
Maersk guidance on trapdoor arrangements
This week, Maersk has issued guidance notes on the correct use and layout of trapdoor pilot ladder arrangements. Hopefully all non compliant and dangerous arrangements of this kind will be replaced soon. A great amount of effort in achieving this has been done by various maritime pilots around the world. […]
Stepping up for pilot safety
source: Maritimejournal.com Pilot ladders are such a risk “that one pilot referred to climbing them as a ‘leap of faith’,” Madelaine Dowd of Helm Innovation told MJ. Incidents have caused “broken ankles, hips, backs, head injuries, near drownings – and fatalities,” added Don Cockrill, former UK Maritime Pilots Association lead. […]