The Nautical Institute has recently issue Mars Report to provide lessons learned from an incident in which pilot ladder magnets broke free and recommend to closely supervise the rigging of pilot ladders to ensure that SOLAS requirements are met in relation to the shipping/landing of pilots.
As the pilot boat approached the vessel for pilot boarding, the crew were informed that the ladder was 1 metre too short. The ladder was secured to the vessel’s hull by two magnets and a rope to the accommodation ladder. The vessel’s crew made the appropriate adjustments and re-secured the ladder at the appropriate height. The length of the ladder was now about 6 metres.
When the pilot was approximately 3 metres up the ladder, both magnets on the hull broke free and just missed the top of his helmet. Both magnets stayed attached to the ladder and the pilot managed to climb the last 3 metres without difficulty.
The company investigation found that the crew did not rig the pilot ladder as described in its fleet circular. Also, the incident was not reported to the company by the ship’s crew but was received through a third party.
Lessons learned
- The Master and officers should closely supervise the rigging of pilot ladders. They should also observe the shipping/landing of pilots from ladders to ensure that SOLAS requirements are met.
- Rigging of pilot ladders, with or without magnets, should always be done according to procedures and with a high attention to detail.
- All incidents, even those without consequences, should be reported to the company through the normal ISM procedural process.
Source: The Nautical Institute/ Mars Report
