Article

Marking, Certification of Pilot Ladders


by Herman Broers - published on 5 January 2021 3218 -

Text and Photos by Pilotladder Safety. Thank you to Herman Broers (Rotterdam).

Every pilot ladder should have certain markings and certificates to go along with it. Let’s have a look at a random pilot ladder on board and the paperwork that belongs to it:

SOLAS 2.4. All pilot ladders used for pilot transfer shall be clearly identified with tags or other permanent marking so as to enable identification of each appliance for the purposes of survey, inspection and record keeping. A record shall be kept on the ship as to the date the identified ladder is placed into service and any repairs effected.

For this example we use the guidelines ISO 799-1:2019 to explain the various Markings and notations. Every pilot ladder should have a serial number marked as per ISO-799 section 8 as follows: The bottom of the top step and bottom of the lowest spreader step of the ladder shall be marked with:

  • The name and the address of the manufacturer
  • The Manufacturer’s model designation
  • “ISO 799-1” and “SOLAS”
  • the year of assembly or reassembly of the ladder
  • identification of the approved maritime safety administration, along with any approval indications required by that administration
  • where used, identification of an approved organization acting on behalf of the maritime safety administration.
  • If a replacement step is used, the words “REPLACEMENT STEP ONLY” shall be used as well.

Marking under the step of the mentioned ladder

This is for instance a PTR Goliath ladder marked with all of the above items, except for the fact that
ISO 799:2004 is still mentioned. This standard has now been replaced by ISO-799-1:2019

Name tag plate of the mentioned pilot ladder

The name tag plate on this ladder displays a few important items that can be cross referenced with the certificate: Type, Model, Length, Production date, as well as the serial number (Prod.No) and the approval standard.

There are 3 logo’s on the top of this plate, which are important in this respect:
  • The DNV-GL logo, the classification society that type approves this ladder, as well as the Manufacturing Company.
  • The PTR Holland logo, which is the logo of the Manufacturing Company
  • The Steering wheel, marked with MED, as well as the number 0575. The symbol and “MED” stands for Marine Equipment Directive 4.49, the EU standard for pilot ladders for all EU flagged vessels. The number indicates the EU designated number of the “Notified Body” which is DNV GL in this case.
Certificate of the above mentioned ladder
Certificate of the above mentioned ladder
Certificate of the above mentioned ladder
Certificate of the above mentioned ladder
The certificate that goes along with this ladder shows the following items:
  • Statement that the ladder complies with MED 2014/90/EU
  • Description: Type of equipment, and the MED category (4.49)
  • Type: Manufacturers Type “Goliath”
  • Serial No. “3156773” ( Corresponding with the serial number on the ladder)
  • Ladder Length(m) ( Corresponding with the length on the ladder)
  • Date of manufacture: 07/03/2018. ( Corresponding with the date on the ladder) **
  • Manufacturer: ( Corresponding with the manufacturer on the ladder)
  • Manufacturer Adress
  • Vessel name
  • The standards, resolutions and regulations to which the ladder complies: In this case ISO-799, Solas and IMO res 1045(27)
  • The EC-Type-Examination certificate issued for this type of ladder: in this case its number is MEDB00002T9
  • ( Corresponding with the number on the ladder) , issued by DNV GL (number 0575). This certificate goes by the name of : “EC-Type Examination Certificate (Module B)”. ( The manufacturer of this ladder also issues a copy of this document with the ladder)
  • The Quality System Certificate No. is the certificate issued by classification society DNV GL about the Quality System of the Manufacturer. This certificate goes by the name of : “QS-Certificate of Assessment – EC (Module D)”. ( The manufacturer of this ladder also issues a copy of this document with the ladder)
  • The Steering Wheel symbol of MED 4.49: same as on the ladder (see above)
  • The Logo of the classification society.
  • The signature on behalf of the manufacturer
  • Registration QR code:The manufacturer of these ladders uses blockchain technology to keep track of the ladders produced. On the latest ladders, the steel plate on the ladder also shows the same QR code. This allows inspectors to easily scan the pilot ladder and check online if all specifications are correct. ( see below)
Pilot ladder name tag with QR Code
Pilot ladder name tag with QR Code
Pilot ladder name tag with QR Code
Pilot ladder name tag with QR Code
** In this case the ladder is over 30 months old, and therefore a certificate of load testing should be present as well.

Apart from this certificate, there should be a record of repairs, and a record of maintenance of the pilot ladders onboard.

Something is not right here: A fake certificate

The following ladder was presented in december 2020, when the pilot boarded a vessel:
Securing incorrect, Steps not straight, Inner stanchion is missing, coating or tape on the spreaders…

The rope work of the pilot ladder looks vey old and worn …

The ladder in question is badly rigged, and appears to be in a very bad state. Much to the surprise of the pilot, he was presented with the following documentation of this pilot ladder by the master of the ship:
These documents indicate that the pilot ladder in question was only 4 months old at the time. There are references made to SOLAS, IMO 1045 and ISO 799-1:2019. Also there are “official” stamps by the China Classification Society (CCS) on these documents.

The Australian Marine Pilots Institute (AMPI) asked CCS for a copy of a real (Pilot Ladder) Certificate and they were presented with this document:
Source AMPI.org.au
The format of this certificate shows that the presented “Certificate of marine Product” onboard was probably a fake certificate, issued with a very old, used or second-hand pilot ladder.
Source AMPI.org.au
The format of this certificate shows that the presented “Certificate of marine Product” onboard was probably a fake certificate, issued with a very old, used or second-hand pilot ladder.
Source AMPI.org.au
The format of this certificate shows that the presented “Certificate of marine Product” onboard was probably a fake certificate, issued with a very old, used or second-hand pilot ladder.
Source AMPI.org.au
The format of this certificate shows that the presented “Certificate of marine Product” onboard was probably a fake certificate, issued with a very old, used or second-hand pilot ladder.
Unlimited License Maritime Pilot, Port of Rotterdam. Pilot ladder safety, active marine pilot - Loodswezen Rotterdam - Rijnmond
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Opinion Online survey: Securing methods of pilot ladders at intermediate length

by Herman Broers - published on 7 December 2020

Recently Capt. Troy Evans did a research into the breaking strength of various securing methods. To quantify the problem of unsafe practices, now is time to have a survey into the number of the various securing methods used worldwide.

0

Article Results online survey into the securing methods of pilot ladders

by Herman Broers - published on 5 March 2021

It has been shown that a majority (51%) of pilot ladders is secured by means of D-shackles, when secured at intermediate length. Previous research (Evans, 2020) has proven that this method has only about 50% of the strength of the pilot ladder when secured at full length (“double ended ladder”), or by means of the “endless-sling” method.

2

Article Pilot Transfer Arrangements

by Captain Kevin Vallance MNI - published on 2 October 2019

Most pilot embarkations and disembarkations around the world, are still carried out using a traditional pilot ladder, consisting of wooden steps supported and secured by side ropes.

1

Video Rencontre avec un pilote maritime au port de Sète

published on 30 May 2020

Connaissez vous le métier de pilote maritime ? Rencontre avec Gabriel Charpentier à Sète dans l'Hérault. Lorsque les navires de plus de 55 mètres arrivent dans un port, les pilotes maritimes prennent le relais du commandant. Ils ont la responsabilité de faire entrer ces gros bateaux par tous les temps. Lors d'une escale, ils sont les premiers à monter à bord en pleine mer sur une échelle de corde de neuf mètres.
Reportage de Cybèle Plichart

1

Video Columbia River Bar Pilots History

published on 2 January 2023

There are approximately 160 Columbia River Pilots, which are organized into two associations. The Columbia River Pilots Association (CRPA) is made up of 80 pilots, while the Washington Pilots Association (WPA) consists of 80 pilots.

1

Article Australasian Marine Pilots Institute joins Shipping Australia as a new member

by Shipping Australia Limited - published on 30 September 2021

Shipping Australia is delighted to welcome the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute as our newest corporate associate member

0

Article Predicting Maritime Pilot Selection with Personality Traits

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 7 July 2021

The purpose of this quantitative, ex post facto study was to assess P-J fit theory by examining the relationship between personality traits, as measured by Jackson’s (1984) PRF-E, and selection for a maritime pilot job.

0

Article Safer shipping over ice

by Drift + Noise GmbH - published on 16 October 2019

Every ship transporting goods to, from or through the Arctic wants to find the fastest and safest way through or around the ice. Even service ice breakers save considerable amounts of time and fuel when they choose an easy path through the ice opposed to a straight path.

0

Video Luxembourg Space Expertise: LuxSpace / ESAIL

published on 16 September 2020

LuxSpace CEO, Jochen Harms, on putting the ESAIL microsatellite into orbit.
ESAIL is part of ESA’s Partnership Projects and has been developed to enhance the next generation of space‐based services for the maritime sector. The spacecraft will track ship movements over the entire globe as it orbits the planet.

0

Opinion Heroes or Hostages?

by Ivana-Maria Carrioni-Burnett - published on 1 October 2020

“Definitions": ‘Hero’: person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities OR person greatly admired for their exceptional qualities or achievements

‘Hostage’: person seized or held for the fulfilment of a condition OR person who is illegally held prisoner until certain demands are met by others

0