Article

Pilot transfer arrangements by AMSA


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 18 November 2019 1471 -

This notice reminds shipowners, operators, masters, crews, recognised organisations, marine pilots and pilotage providers of the obligation to provide safe pilot transfer arrangements.

AMSA notes with concern that since November 2017 several pilots’ lives have been placed at risk in six separate incidents where man ropes have parted or its securing point has failed. In addition, AMSA regularly receives reports and complaints about non-compliant pilot transfer arrangements.

Shipowners, operators, masters and crews are reminded that pilot transfer arrangements, including pilot ladders, must comply with Marine Order 21 (Safety and emergency arrangements) 2016 (MO21). MO21 implements Australia’s obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V Regulation 23.

Pilot transfer arrangement standards

Whenever a pilot or other person embarks or disembarks from a ship by ladder, they entrust their safety to the pilot transfer arrangements provided by the ship and the pilot boat crew.

The requirements in SOLAS V/23 are the minimum standards for equipment installed and arrangements for pilot transfers on ships on or after 1 July 2012. The IMO standards can be found in IMO Resolution A.1045(27) “Pilot transfer arrangements and IMO Resolution A.1108(29) “Amendments to the Recommendations on Pilot Transfer Arrangements (Resolution A.1045(27)).

SOLAS V/23.2.3 also states that a pilot ladder shall be certified by the manufacturer as complying with V/23 or “with an international standard acceptable to the Organization” and refers to ISO 799:2004 “Ships and marine technology – pilot ladders”.

Compliance with this particular provision of SOLAS V/23 can be met when a manufacturer has certified that the pilot ladder complies with either of the above standards, noting they are not identical.

Paragraph 10.1 of Part A of the International Safety Management Code (ISM) requires that vessel operators establish procedures to ensure that a ship is maintained in conformity with the relevant rules and regulations, including pilot transfer arrangements. Such procedures should include regular inspections of the pilot transfer arrangement and storage of such equipment when not in use.

Pilot transfer arrangements

IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1428 illustrates the pilot transfer arrangements required by SOLAS V/23.

Strict attention should be paid to the freeboard of the vessel to determine whether a combination ladder needs to be rigged and, if a combination ladder is required, attention should be paid to arrangements for securing such ladders to the vessel’s side.

Clear and efficient communication with the pilot boat master is essential to ensure the safety of the pilot transfer arrangements before a person uses the ladder. The pilot boat master is best positioned to judge correct height of the bottom of the ladder and identify any potential issues with the ladder or ropes once in place.

Responsibility

Responsibility for safe practices for personnel transfers rests with each person involved in the activity including the vessel’s owners, operators, master and crew, pilotage providers, pilots and pilot boat crew, as well as the person being transferred. All parties should observe both the spirit and intent of the regulations, to ensure safety is not compromised.

Where a marine pilot suspects that the pilot transfer arrangement provided is unsafe, they should refuse to use the arrangement until it is made safe by the master and crew. Where such situations occur, AMSA will follow-up to determine the cause and actions taken. Where a vessel is not calling into an Australian port, AMSA will follow up with the flag State.

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

Article AMSA has published the first marine incident annual report

published on 20 October 2020

AMS has released the annual report of marine incidents reported from regulated Australian and foreign flagged vessels in Australian waters. It includes an analysis of reported marine incidents during 2016 to 2019, with a focus on 2019 data.

0

Article Australian pilot receives IMO commendation for exceptional bravery at sea

published on 17 September 2021

In December 2020, Australian Pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria was expertly piloting oil tanker MT Godam through the Torres Strait in adverse weather conditions when he and the vessel crew sighted a distant hand waving for help in the rough sea.

2

Article Latest AMSA Notice Emphasises The Need For Safe Pilot Transfer Arrangements

published on 18 February 2022

AMSA notes with concern that since November 2017 several pilots’ lives have been placed at risk, in six separate incidents where man ropes have parted, or its securing point has failed. In addition, AMSA regularly receives reports and complaints about non-compliant pilot transfer arrangements

1

Article Maritime Pilots in the New York area use Pilot-Guard

by Pilot-Guard International Network for Pilot Safety - published on 11 April 2024

Pilot-Guard is a global pilot safety network that enables the real-time exchange of safety-related information between organisations around the globe on non-compliant pilot transfer arrangements (nc-pta) of vessels.

3

Video Sea Pilot,Dock Master and Ship Master With Manouver at Radiance Pacific Singapore

published on 5 August 2022

Sea Pilot,Dock Master and Ship Master With Manouver at Radiance Pacific Singapore
#olahgerakkapal #drydock #singapore

0

Video Berthing tanker ELKA ASTIR - King Fahd industrial sea port

published on 2 September 2020

• Ship name : ELKA ASTIR • L.O.A : 189 m • Max draught : 11 m • Deadweight: 49990 t • Name of Pilot : Haitham Alzahrani - Saudi Arabia

0

Video Marine pilotage - a pilot's boat trip in Helsinki (Finland)

published on 28 September 2021

This video is filmed in 2015, edited 2021.
A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, port pilot, ship pilot, or simply pilot, is a mariner who maneuvers ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbors or river mouths. They are navigational experts possessing knowledge of the particular waterway such as its depth, currents, and hazards, as well as being experts in handling ships of all types and size. A Maritime pilot is an expert ship handler who is licensed or authorised...

0

Video Robust pilot boats of Netherlands and Belgium

published on 7 August 2020

These are some of the reliable sturdy Pilot boats of Netherlands and Belgium to bring and pick up Marine Pilots to and from commercial merchant vessels either inbound or outbound. The Marine Pilots are licensed PROFESSIONALS who have a thorough knowledge of a certain port and they guide the Master/Captain of commercial ships in and out of the foreign Seaport. Location: Steenbank Pilot Station, Flushing/Vlissingen Pilot Station, Wandelaar Pilot Station. Boats in order of appearance in this...

0

Article Major upgrade of "OpenBridge Design Guideline" released

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 30 October 2020

"Open Bridge" is an open source platform enabling the development of cost effective, safe and efficient maritime workplace. Over 300 maritime companies has registered to access OpenBridge since it started 6 months ago.

1