Article

Death of Pilot Dennis Sherwood: IMPA President statement to IMO. New photos of Maersk Kensington.


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 23 January 2020 -  2464 -

Screenshot from IMPA Statement on Twitter

According to information from social networks, nothing has changed at Maersk Kensington even two weeks after the tragic death of Sandy Hook Pilot Captain Dennis Sherwood on December 30th of 2019. This can be proven by the available pictures of the the so called trapdoor arrangement taken by Tom Rutter (Pilot at Virginia Pilot Association).

photo by Tom Rutter "

IMPA President makes a statement to IMO on January 17th regarding the passing of Captain Dennis Sherwood. A letter to IMO was published via Twitter today. Saying: “This controversial trapdoor arrangement has long been considered unsafe by pilots. It is clearly not in compliance with current SOLAS requirements.” … “Captain Sherwood’s death is a tragic reminder that much more needs to be done.” He demands further that all flag states, port states and ship operator organizations should support an initiative “to get rid of this arrangement, immediately”.

click picture for full view

Marine-Pilots.com also supports all efforts to change these absolutely unsafe circumstances. Stories of these “widow maker” – as some pilots say - trapdoor arrangements must be told to everyone who is involved. It’s time to change. These accidents must not be repeated.

So far, Maersk has only expressed their regrets about the death of Dennis Sherwood in a small note on a maritime news site. The Maersk Kensington reached the nearest port on time after the accident. All Maersk K-class ships have the same trapdoor arrangement as the Maersk Kensington has. To our knowledge no further official statements by Maersk on the trapdoor arrangements on their vessels followed after the accident.

How will Maersk react to the fatal accident?
What steps will the company take for the future and how will they act and react concerning the tragic incident?


Photos from Maersk Kensington by Tom Rutter:

"The Widow Maker"


What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Sandy Hook pilot Dennis Sherwood has died after falling during embarking

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 30 December 2019

A pilot of Sandy Hook, Dennis Sherwood fell off a ladder while boarding a ship today at 4:30 a.m. and died of his serious injury in Staten Island hospital.

0

Article In Memoriam of Captain Dennis R. Sherwood (1955 - 2019)

by Bianca Reineke, lutheran Pastor, Germany - published on 3 January 2020

Ladders are the bridges for crossing the rough seas of our lives.
When you are a Marine Pilot at work, hoping and praying that the ladders which let you embark the vessel are stable, safe and not dangerous.
In Memoriam of the late Captain Dennis Sherwood who passed away on Monday the 30th of December.

1

Article Demands made by the Pacific Pilotage Authority on the shipping industry following the death of US Pilot Dennis Sherwood

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 27 March 2020

The Pacific Pilotage Authority says: "There is a common misunderstanding amongst vessel operators that vessels built prior to 2012 are exempt from some of the requirements for pilot transfer arrangements. This is incorrect...".

0

Video BMPA Presentation at IMPA 2014

published on 4 July 2019

Bahamas Maritime Pilot's Association (BMPA) presentation at IMPA 2014.

0

Video Port of Dundee Welcomes New Pilot Boat Tay Discovery

published on 22 September 2025

At a special dedication ceremony at the Port of Dundee today, the new Tay Discovery pilot boat was given a traditional marine blessing for its service on the River Tay.
With the Dundee Heritage Trust and National Oceanography Centre present, the pilot boat has been named Tay Discovery which highlights the important role the port plays in the City of Discovery. The naming also coincides with the centenary of the original Discovery ship receiving its Royal Research designation.
The Chaplain,...

0

Article Harken presents the new man overboard recovery system

by Harken - published on 22 July 2024

Harken Safety & Rescue has unveiled an innovative man overboard recovery system designed to improve safety on vessels. Developed in collaboration with Genoa Port Pilots, this system offers a solution for rescuing overboard personnel efficiently.

2

Video Kiel Pilots using VR for next-level shiphandling simulation

by Captain, MSc. Remko Fehr - published on 13 December 2023

Kiel Pilots introducing Morild Interaktiv AS Virtual Reality Simulator for next-level manoeuvring training

1

Video New Pilot Boat for Finnpilot Pilotage: "Bon Voyage PILOT L247"

published on 8 October 2020

Saying goodbye to our new built vessels are never easy. This pilot boat is the 16th delivered to Finnpilot Pilotage by Kewatec AluBoat.

0

Video IALA Port & Waterway Risk Seminar - Chapter on Simulation by Knud Benedict

published on 22 October 2021

This video is an extract of some elements from lectures by Knud Benedict on "Simulation" as part of the seminars provided by the IALA World Wide Academy on the use of the "IALA Toolbox for Port & Waterway Risk Management".

0

Article Russian Marine Pilot (61) killed in accident on 14 March 2021

by Frank Diegel - published on 17 March 2021

In Novorossiysk (Russia, Black Sea), a marine pilot died during a pilot transfer and an investigation has been launched. The incident occurred on the evening of 14 March at about 21:40.

1