Mars Reports 2014
The Nautical Institute has issued Mars Report regarding a fall from pilot ladder as follows:
A pilot ladder was securely rigged by the ship’s staff and inspected by the duty OOW; the ship’s freeboard at the time was 7.60 metres. The main deck, including the pilot ladder, was well illuminated by the deck flood lights and the bridge wing lights.
While disembarking via the pilot ladder one of the port officials slipped and fell onto the pilot boat. She was immediately taken ashore to seek medical attention. It was later reported that the victim had suffered a broken leg.
The vessel investigation found no inherent unsafe condition related to procedures, the pilot ladder or the environment. However, the report found that the use of a safety harness and fall prevention rope for personnel who are using the pilot ladder would reduce the risk of falling in the future.
| Note by Mars Report’s Editor: Pilot ladder accidents and incidents are more common than we would like to think. Pilots and other personnel using these ladders are exposed to falling in the water or onto the deck of the pilot boat, with the attending consequences. Obviously, wearing a life vest should be second nature when using a pilot ladder and most persons do. For some reason, fall arrest equipment has never been seriously considered for persons using a pilot ladder even though heights may reach over 8 metres. Maybe it should be. |
Source: The Nautical Institute
