Opinion

Online survey: Securing methods of pilot ladders at intermediate length


by Herman Broers - published on 7 December 2020 291 -

Colleagues,

As you are probably aware, there is no legislation about the way a pilot ladder should be secured on deck at intermediate length. As a result, we as pilots see many different ways of securing in use every day. Some ways are considered safe, some unsafe.

Recently Capt. Troy Evans did a research into the breaking strength of various securing methods. To quantify the problem of unsafe practices, now is time to have a survey into the number of the various securing methods used worldwide.

I call on you to participate and report every pilot ladder that is secured on deck in your next working week, using the online survey form here:
It is an anonymous survey that runs from December 5th, 2020 until January 3rd, 2021. The results will be published online in the beginning of 2021.

We need as many responses as possible. Spread the word amongst fellow pilots, let’s make it safer together.

Stay safe and healthy, very best regards,

Herman Broers
Maritime Pilot, Port of Rotterdam
Editor's note:
Opinion pieces reflect the personal opinion of individual authors. They do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about a prevailing opinion in the respective editorial department. Opinion pieces might be deliberately formulated in a pronounced or even explicit tone and may contain biased arguments. They might be intended to polarise and stimulate discussion. In this, they deliberately differ from the factual articles you typically find on this platform, written to present facts and opinions in as balanced a manner as possible.
Unlimited License Maritime Pilot, Port of Rotterdam. Pilot ladder safety, active marine pilot - Loodswezen Rotterdam - Rijnmond
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Results online survey into the securing methods of pilot ladders

by Herman Broers - published on 5 March 2021

It has been shown that a majority (51%) of pilot ladders is secured by means of D-shackles, when secured at intermediate length. Previous research (Evans, 2020) has proven that this method has only about 50% of the strength of the pilot ladder when secured at full length (“double ended ladder”), or by means of the “endless-sling” method.

2

Article Marking, Certification of Pilot Ladders

by Herman Broers - published on 5 January 2021

The name tag plate on this ladder displays a few important items that can be cross referenced with the certificate: Type, Model, Length, Production date, as well as the serial number (Prod.No) and the approval standard.

1

Article IMPA Safety Campaign Analysis 2016-2020

by Herman Broers - published on 6 January 2021

The IMPA safety campaign on pilot ladders has run for a long time now. In this document the results of the IMPA safety campaign have been analyzed from 2016 to 2020.

0

Video Pilot boat boarding in Sicily

published on 2 November 2020

1

Video Not an easy pilot boarding in rough conditions: Milford Haven - 15-01-15

published on 10 March 2021

Crude Oil Tanker British Robin passing St Anns Head on a rather windy day in Pembrokeshire.

0

Video Pilot launches of Port Phillip Heads.

published on 28 May 2024

Three pilot companies operate launches from Queenscliff. They take pilots to and from the shipping that comes through Port Phillip heads to the ports of Melbourne and Geelong.

0

Video Boarding a Ship in Port Geraldton, Australia

published on 28 July 2021

Big thanks to Geraldton Port Authority for allowing Bill and I to go out in one of their pilot boats and board a ship. It was a beautiful day for it.

0

Video Offshore Pilot station out of San Francisco

published on 3 May 2023

Day two at the offshore Pilot station out of San Francisco. https://instagram.com/sea_weathered?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

0

Video Trinidad and Tobago Pilots' Association Anniversary

published on 15 October 2019

Trinidad and Tobago Pilots' Association Anniversary

0

Video Rodman 41 Pilotage and Harbour Vessel

published on 6 July 2022

Rodman 41 pilot boat for the Cadiz Pilots' Corporation

0