Tag: ladders

UK MAIB describes a pilot ladder incident in its latest Safety Digest. Three engineering technicians were ready to disembark a bulk carrier, using a pilot ladder. When two of the technicians were on the ladder, it failed and the two of them fell from a respectable height. Both were transferred to hospital, as they had sustained injuries.

Transport Malta's MSIU issued an investigation report on the fatal fall of a crew man onboard the Maltese-registered bulk carrier 'Pompano', in Port Hedland Anchorage, Australia, in April 2017. The investigation found that the crew member lost his footing and grip whilst carrying out repairs on the ladder. 

In UK Club's latest 'Lessons Learned' publication, Capt. David Nichol presented and analyzed a fall of a duty engineer, during a routine task onboard a container ship. The incident highlighted issues regarding the necessity of using intermediate guard rails when working aloft, as well as how seaway conditions can impact such tasks.

The International Maritime Pilots Association conducted a Pilot Ladder Safety providing detailed information regarding the results they have concluded in. For a Maritime Pilot, embarking and disembarking a ship is a dangerous task. The method of operation has changed very little over the years, and a large percentage of vessels still do not comply with standards for those arrangements.

The ship was four nautical miles from the Port Elizabeth‚ when the late warrant Officer, Henry Kemp, aged 42, plunged at least 8 metres into the ocean, while climbing a steep ladder to execute a warrant of arrest to the master of the ship, according to SAMSA.

There are often no policies, procedures or instructions contained in the safety management system for the use and maintenance of the secondary means of support arrangements and crew have been unable to demonstrate proficiency in the use of these arrangements, AMSA notes.

Transport Malta's Marine Safety Investigation Unit issued an investigation report on the fatality of a crew member, after falling from a vertical ladder, onboard a bulk carrier in  October 2016, while underway in the Caribbean Sea.

Embarking or disembarking from a high freeboard vessel can be a daunting task, particularly in heavy weather. It is therefore important that pilot boarding arrangements and procedures are in strict compliance with SOLAS to best ensure the safety of pilots and other persons who may use the equipment, UK Club notes.

Steamship Mutual P&I Club issued a risk alert to advise on the use of portable ladders ashore and onboard ships, as it has been notified in recent months of a number of crew injury claims resulting from ladders. 

In its latest Signals newsletter, North Club presents the role of pilot ladders in port operations and in crew safety, emphasizing that there are often serious incidents caused by pilots in boarding operations, even when the weather is fine and all equipment is correctly maintained.