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 1691 -

Article by Captain Kevin Vallance MNI

(This article was written by Kevin Vallance in support of the global #DangerousLadders campaign)

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. Some pilots question the need for such campaigns, but it is only through collating such information that efforts can be made at the IMO and elsewhere to improve the situation.

Since August 2017 a dedicated #dangerousladders Facebook page has been available, with the goal of improving awareness of the poor attitude shown towards pilot transfer arrangements by sharing information. The group can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/831768026997774

Earlier today a vessel the Wilson Leith arrived at the Steenbank pilot station to board her compulsory inbound pilot.

If you were the pilot about to embark the vessel, what would be your thoughts when confronted by this arrangement?

The most cursory examination of this arrangement clearly reaches the conclusion that the arrangement is not compliant due to the lack of a spreader step for the fifth rung from the bottom. This cannot be a certified pilot ladder!

Closer examination of the ladder securing would seem to show the ladder secured around vent pipes, the enthusiastic looking supervising officer does not appear to be in contact with the bridge and it is hard to identify the presence of the required lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light.

The Dutch pilot quite correctly refused to board the vessel until they provided a pilot transfer arrangement fully compliant with the requirements of SOLAS V Regulation 23 & IMO Resolution A 1045 (27).

After re-rigging the arrangement a certified pilot ladder was provided, secured to the deck, a lifebuoy was in position, the crew were wearing lifejackets and helmets and the supervisor was equipped with a radio. Why could this not be done at the first time of asking?

Normally that would be the end of the story but when pictures of the first pilot ladder were posted on the Facebook page the name of the vessel was instantly recalled by some of our members.

This vessel had previously been involved in a serious, potentially fatal accident involving catastrophic failure of the pilot ladder side ropes.

A second photograph of the original arrangement clearly shows distortion of the side ropes above and below the top rubber step. This distortion, if allowed to continue, could eventually have led to another side rope failure.

Clearly the earlier lessons have not been learned.

 

 

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

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

Article Origins of the IMPA pilot mark

by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 24 October 2019

There are many things in both our everyday and professional lives which we take for granted and never question the origins of, an example of this might be the IMPA recommended ‘pilot mark or pilot line’, which is sometimes seen on the side of vessels indicating where a vessels freeboard exceeds 9 metres.

4

Article #dangerousladders - Using social media to improve pilot transfer safety.

by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 12 December 2019

It remains a sad fact that accidents and near misses continue to occur during pilot transfers with frightening regularity. Most of these fortunately do not result in injury, and a surprisingly high number of them are not even recognised for what they are.

Surveys into pilot ladder safety consistently reveal that unacceptably high numbers of pilot transfer arrangements are not compliant with the regulations.

0

Video Bulk Carrier Ship ERIETTA/ #PilotBoat SEA MASTER/ Embarking Maneuver

published on 9 November 2021

Bulk Carrier Ship "ERIETTA" / Pilot Boat "SEA MASTER" / Embarking Maneuvering of Rio de la Plata Pilots #pilotonboard #Prácticos.-  #BoardingPoint #JP #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina 23.09.2020 This video was filmed on board Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" and shows the moments when the Pilot Boat was proceeding to the #BoardingStation #JP #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata to the vessel "ERIETTA", to start with the Embarking Maneuvering of the #RioDeLaPlataPilots Special appreciation to the Master of...

0

Video Fathom Safety (UK): New Online Pilot Ladder Training

published on 13 February 2024

Fathom Safety now offers an online course on Pilot Ladder Training

0

Video Pilot on Board in Australia

published on 22 August 2022

#BUNBURY#AUSTRALIA#DoiTv#lifeatsea

0

Video Maritime Pilot Boarding

published on 3 January 2022

#maritime #pilot #ship

0

Article USCG: Marine Saefty alert on accommodation ladders

published on 15 September 2021

The Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Analysis has released Marine Safety Alert 05-21, to notify mariners to a potentially dangerous situation involving corrosion of the turntable pin on accommodation ladders.

2

Video Who Are The San Francisco Bar Pilots: A VR Film

published on 18 March 2024

For 174 years, the San Francisco Bar Pilots have been safely navigating the world’s largest ships through some of North America’s most challenging waterways.

0

Article Safe through polar waters with NAUTITEC

by VEUS Shipping - published on 10 September 2019

NAUTITEC conducts Basic and Advanced Polar Code Trainings

0