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:
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:
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.
