CHIRP recently published its 56th edition of Maritime Feedback focusing on several reports concerning safety onboard and accidents as examples to avoid similar situations in the future. This report discusses a DPA’s perspective when auditing to sibling vessels.
Specifically, the DPA contacted CHIRP discussing the deficiencies found on two sibling vessels, concerning safety issues. Both ships operated by a major shipping company experienced the same pilot ladder rigging issue.
The DPA reported that the pilot ladder was supported by a bracket into which the step fits. Therefore, the weight was taken by the whippings around the chocks directly above the wooden step.
I explained the issue to the master and advised him that the weight should be supported by the side ropes. I went to the ladder after berthing and explained to the Chief Mate how ropes should be secured to the side-ropes to take the weight if the pilot boat puts additional weight on the ladder
… the DPA further noted.
In the meantime, the DPA secondly reported that this class of vessel has a side door access; Meaning that the ladder is rigged via slots in an angle bar bracket, so putting the load on the step lashings rather than on the side ropes. According to the DPA, ‘by my reading of the rules and Witherby’s Pilot Ladder Manual, this arrangement is not compliant.’
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CHIRP informs that the DPA was contacted for his notes concerning both vessels and the receiver of the observations replied that they observations were fully acknowledged.
In other words, the receiver of the observations replied
The observations are fully acknowledged. As per design the weight should be on the ladder ropes and not the whippings. We are working on rectifying actions with particular vessels in this series. Again, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
In light of this report, CHIRP concluded
- Although starting as a non-compliance report the MAB took the view that due to the good communications with, and the positive response by, the DPA this is considered a successful outcome to the initial report.
- The following questions remained unanswered. Who designed the securing arrangement?
- Who approved and signed off this non-compliant, by design, arrangement?
- For the record the major shipping company that currently operates these vessels inherited them through mergers and route sharing agreements and was not involved in the original design and construction of the ships.
