Tag: Pilot Transfer Arrangements

AMSA published a marine notice reminding shipowners, operators, masters, crews, recognised organisations, marine pilots and pilotage providers of the obligation to provide safe pilot transfer arrangements.

On the occasion of the Maritime Safety Week (July 4-10), UK MAIB's inspector Bill Evans refers to the issue of unsafe pilot ladders, a concern that has been regularly voiced by the industry.

Whenever a pilot or other person embarks or disembarks from a ship by ladder, they entrust their safety to the pilot transfer arrangements provided by the ship and the pilot boat crew. AMSA has noted with concern that since November 2017 several pilots’ lives have been placed at risk, in six separate incidents where man ropes have parted, or its securing point has failed.

ICS along with the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) published the guide "Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements", updating maritime pilot transfer safety procedures amid industry concerns about poorly rigged ladders causing severe injuries or fatalities. 

From 1 January 2022, Flinders Ports will require visiting vessels and their Masters to take additional safety measures related to pilot ladders.

Capt. John Pearn, Vice President of IMPA, highlights that pilot transfer operations continue to be a challenging area for pilots. In this context, IMPA conducts annually related safety survey which reflects what industry already knows; that pilots continue to be seriously injured and killed every year.

Following an increase in marine pilot fatalities, American Club released the Good Catch guidance to raise seafarers' situational awareness.

The recently-released American Club Good Catch safety guidance focuses on the pilot ladder safety issues, due to an increase in marine pilot fatalities.

In some cases the Pilot may inform the local PSC station for unsafe acts observed during pilotage, however this is not a common practice. So, what can a PSCO do?

For a Marine Pilot, embarking and disembarking a ship is a challenging task. Pilot ladders is a simple and inexpensive way to embark and disembark a vessel at sea; however, many pilots are still being injured whilst embarking ships. Safe pilot transfers are the result of cooperation between vessel management and the pilot.