Changes to Pilot Transfer Arrangements

Revised requirements to enter into force on July 1st, 2012

This newsletter outlines revised requirements as to pilot ladder arrangements which enter into force on 1 July 2012. A key issue is the interpretation of the installation date for such arrangements in order to identify whether the revised requirements apply. DNV’s practice of applying the installation date for this equipment, based on the latest instructions given by IMO, is stated below.

In December 2010, IMO MSC 88 adopted MSC.308(88), which contains amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 on pilot transfer arrangements in order to update and improve safety aspects relating to pilot transfers. Briefly, this means:

• In force from 1 July 2012.
• Applicable to newbuildings.
• Some requirements also apply to existing ships.

Newbuildings
The following bullet points summarise the implications of the revised requirements, which are to be found in A.1045(27) from November 2011 and MSC.308(88) from December 2010, versus the old SOLAS regulation V/23:

• Mechanical pilot hoists shall not be used.
• Slight changes to the construction of ladders (spacing of steps, retrieval line, marking).
• Requirements as to arrangements where an accommodation ladder is used in conjunction with pilot ladders (e.g. angle of slope, securing against the ship side, opening direction of trapdoors, height above sea level).
• Requirements to ensure the safe approach of the pilot boat (unobstructed ship’s side).
• New requirements as to pilot ladder winch reels (positioning and securing).

Vessels in operation
The following summarises the implications for vessels in operation:

• Mechanical pilot hoists shall not be used.
• Other existing installations – no changes (assumed to be in accordance with the old requirements).
• Replacements on existing ships shall in so far as is reasonable/practicable comply with the new requirements.
• Shipside doors used for pilot transfer shall not open outwards. Applicable to ships constructed before 1 January 1994 (first survey on or after 1 July 2012).

Securing the accommodation ladder
One new requirement for newbuildings is that the lower platform of the accommodation ladder must be secured when this ladder is used as a pilot ladder. This may be done by permanent connection point(s) in the hull, or alternatively other equipment such as suction or magnetic pads that provide a sufficient holding force may be used (see below for examples).

Approval/Certification of the pilot ladder
New pilot ladders shall be approved or certified according to that stated below:

• For ships flying an EU flag, the pilot ladder is required to be MED approved according to item A.1/4.49 of the MED Directive 96/98/EC as amended.
• For ships not flying an EU flag, the pilot ladder shall be certified by the manufacturer as stipulated by MSC.308(88) V/23.2.3.

Installation date
An interpretation of the installation date is given by IMO in MSC/Circ.1375 (December 2010). This interpretation was amended at MSC 90 (May 2012) and a revision MSC/Circ.1375/Rev.1 is to be published by IMO in the near future with the following wording:
(note: only 1.2 is amended)

1.1, for ships for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2012, or in the absence of the contract, constructed on or after 1 July 2012, “installed on or after 1 July 2012” means any installation on the ship; and

1.2, for ships other than those ships prescribed in .1 above, “installed on or after 1 July 2012” means a contractual delivery date for the system, in its entirety or for individual components of the system, as relevant, to the ship on or after 1 July 2012 or, in the absence of a contractual delivery date, the actual delivery of the system, in its entirety or for individual components, to the ship on or after 1 July 2012. This does not apply to equipment and arrangements covered by paragraph 1.4 of regulation V/23.

DNV’s practice of applying the installation date
Unless other instructions are given by a flag state, DNV will apply the following:

1. Vessel keel laid on or after 1 July 2012: equipment to comply with new requirements.

2. Vessel keel laid before 1 July 2012:

   a. Equipment ordered and delivered before 1 July 2012 (certificate dated prior to this date) shall comply with the old requirements.

   b. Equipment ordered and/or delivered on or after 1 July 2012 shall comply with the new requirements and the certificate shall reflect this.

Source: DNV