Article

IMPA Information on Pilot Transfer Operations (May 2024)


published on 13 May 2024 -  7129 -

The document "IMPA Information on Pilot Transfer Operations" by the International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA) provides comprehensive guidelines for conducting pilot transfer operations to improve safety and efficiency of these processes. It addresses various aspects including personal safety training, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), specific procedures for transferring pilots via boats and helicopters, as well as emergency preparedness and response to incidents.

The content is divided into several main parts:


  • Part A focuses on personal safety training, including survival techniques and proper handling of protective equipment.
  • Part B describes the necessary personal protective equipment, its proper application and maintenance to minimize risks during transfer.
  • Part C deals with the operational procedures for pilot transfers, including specific requirements for ships and pilot boats.
  • Part D covers emergency preparedness and crisis management to appropriately respond to medical emergencies and other critical situations during transfers.
  • Part E discusses incident reporting and promotes a culture of learning from near-misses to continuously improve safety.

The document emphasizes the importance of regular training, equipment review, and compliance with international standards to ensure the safety of all parties involved in pilot transfer operations.

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

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

0

Video Polaris Pilot Boat Antwerp Belgium

published on 15 March 2022

Vessel name: Polaris ; Year built: 2012 ; Flag: Netherlands ; Homeport: Rotterdam Length: 81.2m X 13.3m ; GRT: 2501 ; Callsign: PBZN ; MMSI:245142000 ; IMO: 9496915 Type: Special Vessel / Pilot Ship A "Pilot Ship / Pilot Vessel" is a "special type" of ship in which it accommodates a certain and limited Marine Pilots (Sea, River, Harbor Pilots), it also carries small boats/crafts that are used to tender services to and from the Pilot ship. In a Pilot Vessel, the Pilots can take their time...

1

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Opinion New guidance for PBAs with trapdoors. Released 4.11.2020 by NZMPA

by New Zealand Maritime Pilot's Association - published on 6 November 2020

New guidance for PBAs with trapdoors. Released 4.11.2020 at NZMPA Conference in Dunedin, NZ. Distinct difference to suggestions in many other countries, is that we challenge operators who have the ladder suspended from the accommodation ladder (gangway) and not secured to the ship. SOLAS states that pilot ladder shall be secured to the ship, and securing strongpoints, shackles and ropes shall be as strong as the sideropes.

1

Article Book launch: “Marine Pilotage – The Arabic book”

published on 22 May 2021

“Marine Pilotage – The Arabic book" by Ahmed Sati, Marine Pilot at P&O Maritime, is the first of its kind in Arabic language and specifically concerned with maritime pilotage, it is a reference book and introduction to the basics of the Marine Pilot's work for Arabic readers who are willing to take the challenge and join the force of Pilotage and to act as a refresher to the experienced Pilots who are practicing Pilotage in local or foreign organizations.

1

Video Columbia River Bar Pilots conduct man overboard training

published on 28 April 2026

On April 20, 2026, the Columbia River Bar Pilots conducted a MOB drill with the U.S. Coast Guard Station Astoria.

0

Video Retired Houston channelpilot Lou Vest: "My Maritime Story"

published on 3 November 2020

Ships don't exactly have brakes. Lou Vest, a retired Houston ship channel pilot tells us about a close encounter between a ship and a barge.
https://houstonmaritime.org

1

Opinion How OpenBridge seeks to improve maritime workplaces

by Prof. Kjetil Nordby Institute of Design - The Oslo School of Architecture and Design - published on 6 May 2020

Lack of standard user interfaces across bridge equipment is a major concern for maritime safety. Pilots are in a unique position, as they are constantly exposed to new and differing bridge working environments, equipment, interface designs and combinations of systems. As pilots face this problem throughout every shift they need to put in considerable effort to adjust their work to the many user interfaces they meet.

0

Video Pilot Boat - Carnival Cruise at Port Canaveral

published on 19 September 2019

This is a video of the cruise ship pilot boat that picks up the pilot once he has navigated the ship out of the port. This is a requirement of all cruise ships coming into and leaving out of ports. We also noticed them at the Bahamas. I was able to capture this one on my last cruise leaving out of Port Canaveral... watch as the pilot jumps from the cruise ship to the pilot boat while both are moving! :)

0

Video Women Pilots at the Port of Houston with Howard Middleton and the First Woman Pilot Holly Cooper

published on 17 December 2025

By 2001, the Houston Pilots led the way in hiring minorities and women, and a few years later it formed a nonprofit called Anchor Watch, to offer scholarships to maritime students in need and boost opportunities for minority and women candidates. Captain Holly Cooper joined the Houston Pilots in 1994 as the group’s 151st pilot and the first woman to begin training as a deputy.

0