Marine-Pilots.com got another report on dangerous fake ladders.
One of the leading manufacturers PTR Holland is affected, whose products are copied up to the certificate and the brass plate.Arie Palmers, pilot at Nederlands Loodswezen, reported an suspected incident on LinkedIn over the weekend:
“here we see a typical counterfit fake boarding arrangement... tag is ptrholland... sample certificate is ptrholland but without numbers on it.... basically a cheap unsafe ladder was purchased and the ptrholland tag was attached on the ladder. a damgerous and shameful practice!!! ship:**** on her way to ****.... crew had no idea about this matter and 2 new certified ladders have been ordered to be delivered in Izmir...feel free to share and comment...”
Read the original post on LinkedIn
Information of the editorial office (12/19):
The name of the ship is known to the editors of Marine-Pilots.com. We take this process very seriously!
Summary of this incident by Marine-Pilots.com:
Thanks to Arie Palmers for reporting this. The technical vessel managers contacted us and we spoke to Mr. Stuip the Vice President of PTR Holland.
It is obvious that the ladders in question were no longer in their original condition and were not compliant. Only the brass plate with the serial number is still original. Who repaired and rebuilt the ladders unprofessionally cannot be conclusively determined now.
But the technical vessel managers have reacted immediately and in an exemplary manner and the ladders are being replaced. Many thanks for the quick reaction for the benefit of pilot safety.
Also many thanks to PTR Holland for the quick reaction and the information provided.
Again two dangerous ladders could be scrapped. This is a good thing, but it is a constant battle.
The manufacturer suffers a great deal of damage and the pilot risks his life because the ladders do not meet the high standards of the original manufacturer.
Please help the pilot community and the manufacturer to remove life threatening fakes from circulation!
Report other incidents to info@marine-pilots.com. Thank you .
Announcement of the manufacturer today on its website:
Important Safety Notice:
We are the originator of the long-established (1984) PTR Holland® clamping system used on our wide range of high quality MED/steering wheel by bureau veritas approved pilot and embarkation ladders. PTR Holland® are aware that certain parties have copied and supply, low-quality imitations of our rope ladders through several ship-chandlers in Rotterdam, Houston, Greece and in Turkey.
If you have recently taken delivery of a rope ladder we strongly recommend that you confirm that you have received an original product which originated from PTR HOLLAND GROUP. If not, we respectfully suggest that it be returned for replacement with an real approved ladder. Equally we would be pleased to provide an offer for a pilot or embarkation ladder, that is guaranteed as authentic and which fully complies with the relevant regulations. We have production plants in Rotterdam, Singapore, Newcastle UK and Houston Texas. All other worldwide destinations will be supplied by airfreight delivery within 48 hours available. Any questions or doubts please contact us: info@ptrholland.com
