The Seafarers International House (SIH) announced that they are joining the Dangerous Ladders campaign, after the death of a veteran Sandy Hook ship pilot, who fell from an accommodation ladder.
The Seafarers International House stated that it is taking part in the campaign to pressure the International Maritime Organization to solve the issue of dangerous ladders and build a safer environment for ship pilots.
It should be reminded that the Sandy Hook ship pilot lost his life when he fell during a boarding of an inbound containership at the Port of New York and New Jersey, on Monday, December 30.
The Dangerous Ladders campaign was launched in September 2019, representing a global initiative to improve the safety of pilot transfer arrangements and in particular the safe rigging of pilot ladders.
A recent report published by IMPA in 2018 concerning a Pilot Ladder Safety survey revealed that:
- Vessels still do not comply with basic standards;
- Many fake ladders are sold to unsuspecting vessels;
- Classification Societies certify non-compliant arrangements;
- Port State Control officers sign off vessels on the basis of certificates without even sighting the ladders;
- Inadequate boarding arrangements are prepared by poorly motivated crews often without officer supervision.