Article

New performance standard for pilot transfer arrangements


by IMPA - International Maritime Pilots’ Association - published on 14 June 2024 6407 -

Published by IMPA on LinkedIn today:

This week, the International Maritime Organization Sub-Committee responsible for developing amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 and associated instruments (NCSR 11) finalized a new performance standard for pilot transfer arrangements, which is expected to be made mandatory by SOLAS and apply to new and existing SOLAS and non-SOLAS ships from 1 January 2028.

Several significant improvements over the existing regime for pilot transfer arrangement safety have been achieved, including:
  • A consolidated, mandatory regime which should help everyone involved in designing, installing, inspecting, maintaining and rigging pilot transfer arrangements do their best work
  • Application to existing ship, without grandfathering provisions
  • Approval and type approval of pilot transfer arrangements by Administrations and the removal of self-certification by manufacturers of pilot ladders. Type approval will also be accompanied by manufacturers having a certified quality management system
  • Alignment with the ISO 799 series of standards, as far as appropriate, and enhanced provisions for inspection and maintenance
  • Alignment with the trapdoor arrangement standard in ISO 799-3:2022
  • Provisions for specific equipment for the securing of pilot ladders at intermediate lengths
  • A maximum service life for pilot ladders and manropes, including spares, of 36 months from the date of manufacture
  • A requirement to carry a spare pilot ladder and manropes
  • The pilot mark will be required for ships that need to use combination arrangements
In addition, the new Required Pilot Transfer Arrangements poster was considered, and following valuable contributions from Member States, it will be submitted to IMO again later this year for approval.
Voluntary early implementation of the changes by flag State Administrations is also due to be encouraged.


The next steps will be:
  • Approval by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) in December 2024
  • Adoption by MSC 109 in June 2025
  • Entry into force on 1 January 2028
  • Compliance by the first survey after 1 January 2029 (SOLAS ships) or 1 January 2030 (non-SOLAS ships)
This is a significant step forward for the safety of pilots and other personnel using pilot transfer arrangements that have taken over 18 months to deliver. IMPA is immeasurably grateful to all those Member States and international organizations that helped us achieve this important outcome, and we look forward to their continued support.

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
René Hartung Lotsenbrüderschaft NOK II Kiel / Lübeck / Flensburg, Germany
on 15 June 2024, 16:56 UTC

Very good!
1

Read more...

Video IMPA Seminar on Maritime Pilots and Pilotage

published on 10 November 2022

The Seminar aims to inform Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO about the societal value of maritime pilots and pilotage as a public service. The IMO Secretary-General has recognised maritime pilots as having always been vital to ensuring the safety of navigation in key ports and shipping lanes globally and playing a crucial role in sustaining the global supply chain using specialized knowledge and expertise....

1

Article IMO opens discussion on SOLAS Convention to amend pilot boarding arrangements

published on 28 November 2022

According to information from Simon Pelletier, President of IMPA, it was resolved at the IMO Maritime Safety Committee 106 on 08.11.2022 to open up the SOLAS Convention for amendment in respect of pilot boarding arrangements.

0

Article A contempt for pilot safety and total disregard for the contents of the SOLAS Convention.

by Captain Kevin Vallance MNI - published on 4 October 2019

Tuesday, October 1st is the start date of the latest International Maritime Pilot Association's annual Safety Campaign.

Previous campaigns by the association have consistently shown results of pilot ladder deficiencies around the 20% mark.

0

Video Le métier de pilote maritime sur le Saint-Laurent

published on 29 June 2022

#pilotagestlaurent #transports #pilotemaritime

0

Opinion The Story behind the Puget Sound Pilots Maternity Policy

by Writer Mauri Shuler - published on 19 September 2022

The Puget Sound Pilots have captured what other businesses have done: create a comprehensive dedicated maternity plan that can be a model for others.

3

Video World's largest Ever Ace arrives to the Port of Felixstowe on her maiden voyage. 12th September 2021

published on 13 September 2021

Does the growth of ships ever have limits? Perhaps less in shipbuilding than in the handling of the ships during piloting.

0

Video Tanger Med Pilots in bad weather doing a great job

published on 15 December 2021

The pilots make docking mega-ships look easy despite the meteorological disturbance.
Great pictures from Morocco

0

Article Mars report: Man overboard while rigging the pilot ladder

by Mars report by Nautical Institute - published on 2 December 2021

Going down the accommodation ladder with neither lifevest nor safety line must have been based on similar, past, successful operations, which may have never been challenged on board. This ‘slippage’ in safety is a pernicious and common phenomenon.

0

Video Boston Pilot Boat

published on 25 January 2024

The pilot boys on the river Haven.

0

Video ENTRE TERRE ET MER - Le pilotage maritime

published on 7 June 2021

La Nouvelle-Calédonie, notamment la Grande Terre, a la particularité d'être complètement entourée par un lagon, seules quelques passes rendent son accès possible aux navires venant de l'étranger. La navigation maritime y est délicate car une bonne connaissance de la topologie des fonds sous-marins est indispensable. Tous les bateaux de commerces de plus de 60 m voulant accoster en Nouvelle-Calédonie doivent impérativement faire appel aux services des pilotes maritimes de Nouvelle-Calédonie,...

0