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

Opinion A year ago, pilot Capt. Dennis Sherwood died in the line of duty

by Frank Diegel - published on 30 December 2020

It has been exactly one year ago that a pilot from Sandy Hook (New York), Dennis Sherwood, died in the line of duty while attempting to board the container vessel Maersk Kensington.
What has happened since then? Has safety been improved for the pilots?

1

Article Master and Chief Engineer plead guilty in MV Funing case

published on 22 September 2020

The Master and Chief Engineer of the log-carrier MV Funing, have today been sentenced and fined after admitting charges relating to the grounding of the ship at the Port of Tauranga in July.

Master Liang Guang Hong and Chief Engineer Chameekara Prasad Nanayakkara both entered guilty pleas in the Tauranga District Court on 10 September to charges brought by Maritime NZ under the Maritime Transport Act (MTA) 1994.

1

Article AMSA has published the first marine incident annual report

published on 20 October 2020

AMS has released the annual report of marine incidents reported from regulated Australian and foreign flagged vessels in Australian waters. It includes an analysis of reported marine incidents during 2016 to 2019, with a focus on 2019 data.

0

Video Maritime Pilot - Allision in Immingham - Episode 7

by Dr. Captain Ahmed Sati - published on 17 September 2024

The collision of 3 ships, an unfortunate event that highlighted the importance of human factors on accident causation,

1

Article St. Andrew’s Bay Pilots Mourn the Loss of Captain Phillip Brady

by Florida Harbor Pilots Association - published on 16 January 2026

The St. Andrew’s Bay Pilots are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Captain Phillip Brady, age 46, on January 12, 2026.

0

Article Marine Accident Investigation Branch (UK): Report 2020

published on 14 June 2021

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to or on board UK vessels worldwide, and other vessels in UK territorial waters. Here is the annual report of 2020.

0

Video Singapore’s First Hybrid Electric boat underway

published on 29 April 2021

15 mtr pilot boat classed under BV with the notation Electric Hybrid and Zero-Emission (“ZE”) mode. This notation provides operational and environmental benefits. It helps to ensure the systems operate safely and efficiently, as well as reduce fuel consumption, local air emissions and noise when in proximity to centers of population.

0