Changes to SOLAS Chapter V
Changes to SOLAS Chapter V, regulation 23, have introduced revised requirements for pilot transfer arrangements. The changes are mostly related to new installations of pilot transfer equipment and will mainly affect newbuild projects.
However, the revised SOLAS requirements also include two changes which will have a significant effect on certain existing ships; one is related to outward-opening shipside doors and the other is related to the use of mechanical pilot hoists.
Shipside doors refers to shell openings used for pilot transfer, not to bulwark or guardrail gateways.Mechanical pilot hoists are equipment designed to operate as a moving ladder to lift and lower one person on the side of the ship, or as a platform to lift and lower one or more persons on the side of the ship. Mechanical pilot hoists should not be confused with pilot ladder winch reels, which are sometimes used to retrieve and store unmanned pilot ladders.
How will the revised requirements apply?
The amended SOLAS regulation V/23 mainly applies to SOLAS ‘convention-size’ vessels but may also apply to ‘non-convention’ vessels provided with pilot transfer arrangements. The amendments will apply to new equipment and arrangements for pilot transfer which are installed on or after
July 1, 2012.
Shipside doors used for pilot transfer on all ships shall, if necessary, be modified to open inwards, not later than the first safety equipment survey on or after July 1, 2012.
The use of mechanical pilot hoists is prohibited on all ships on or after July 1, 2012. Any replacement pilot transfer arrangements provided should be installed under survey.
Equipment and arrangements installed on or after July 1, 2012, which are replacing equipment and arrangements provided on ships before July 1, 2012, must, as far as is reasonable and practicable, comply with the requirements of the amended SOLAS regulation V/23.
What should owners and operators do now?
Owners and operators of existing ships fitted with outward-opening shipside doors or mechanical pilot hoists should arrange for their modification or replacement to be completed under survey.
Source: Lloyd’s Register
