Tag: Pilot Transfer Arrangements

In line with growing concern by local pilot associations on unsafe boarding arrangements, the Belgium pilot association issued a notice to incoming vessels to remind them to follow the requirements regarding pilot transfer arrangements.

As incidents involving poorly maintained pilot ladders remain a concern for the shipping industry, local pilot associations have recently taken action in protest of boarding arrangements that are considered non-compliant, according to information by North of England P&I Club. 

A marine pilot, also called maritime pilot, harbor pilot, port pilot, ship pilot, or simply pilot, is a mariner who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway, licensed or authorised by a recognised pilotage authority.

IMPA, representing the international community of pilots, conducts an annual safety campaign with the objective of reporting pilots’ experiences of ladders and boarding equipment to the IMO and the wider shipping community. 2020’s campaign received 6,394 reports from pilots operating across the world. 

The US Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published MSIB 21-20 Change 1 “Recommendation for Pilot Transfer Arrangements”, in light of recent deaths of maritime pilots while embarking commercial vessels.

Following the loss of a New York pilot on December 30, the American Pilots’ Association issued a notice to the marine community advising of the dangers of some accommodation ladder/ pilot ladder combination arrangements with integrated embarking platforms.

Following the death of a New York pilot back in December 2019, the American Pilots' Association on behalf of around 1.200 American ship pilots, recently conducted a letter to the US State Pilotage Authorities concerning pilots' safety.

Tokyo MoU issued a Safety Bulletin to inform of the potential risks of using improperly rigged pilot ladders. This comes in response to several reports from pilots and pilot associations indicating that vessels are improperly securing their pilot ladders to the ship.

In its latest issue for November, CHIRP focuses on the reasons why receiving several reports from marine pilots is a constantly-seen phenomenon. Many of the received reports are based on pilot boarding arrangements or pilotage issues, while CHIRP highlights the facts of this usual situation.

Maritime New Zealand issued a safety update highlighting the importance of rightly using secured pilot ladders to avoid accidents and provides information on safety boarding arrangements and the methods used to ensure secure pilot ladders.