Lloyd’s Register(LR) has published a video to showcase the safety checks that should be carried out before using a pilot ladder to ensure a safe boat transfer.
Maritime pilots board and disembark ships using pilot ladder arrangements. Every year, many pilots are injured or died due to old (worn-out) or improperly rigged pilot ladder facilities, and/or the process of placing the pilot ladder results in injuries to the crew, notes Capt.Zhao Qingwei, Marine Safety Manager at DASIN SHIPPING PTE LTD.
According to the video, 20 of pilot ladders are not compliant often. However, there are things that marine pilots can check before they step on the pilot ladder. For example, the ladder must look clean well and free from unacceptable wear and tear.
Pilot ladder must be:
- in good condition
- attached on deck and not to the railing
- level against in the hull
- without obstacles or lines in loops
- safe to get on and off
