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

Article CHIRP: Analysis of Maritime Safety Reports Received 2023-2024

published on 11 April 2024

"Analysis of reports indicates that pilot ladders (Pilot Transfer Arrangements, or PTAs) and
intentional deviations from safety procedures remain the main causes of near misses..."

0

Video "Sever": Female pilot disembarking in rough weather

published on 24 May 2022

16m Pilot Boat "Sever" built by Holyhead Marine in 2012. Length 16.5m Beam 5.3m Draught 1.3m Main Engines Twin Scania DI16 600 BHP @ 1800 RPM Transmission Twin Disc “Quickshift” MGX-5135SC Gearboxes Propellers Five bladed Maximum Speed 26 knots Client – Sydney Ports Corporation, Australia.

0

Article TRENZ starts Open Testing phase for
Pilot-Guard

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 11 October 2024

Commencement of the Open Testing phase for Pilot-Guard.org, a platform designed to enhance the safety of maritime pilots through effective deficiency reporting and data exchange.

2

Article Pilot Boarding and Landing – use of Personal Emergency Radio Devices

by Nick Lee, T&TC Chairman, UK Pilots - published on 4 February 2020

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) and other individual MOB devices have been available for some years now and have evolved to incorporate a variety of different alerting methods and combinations. However, usage of these additional enhancements within UK Pilotage is still in its infancy.

0

Video Awesome Video: Suez Canal-Egypt (Northbound)

published on 28 October 2021

Many of you saw the last video and we were traveling South through the canal, but this video is from our Northbound transit.
Enjoy the footage and soon I hope to be back to work again. Waiting for the results of my physical exams to clear.

0

Video New Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" / Bulk Carrier Ship "TAI HAWK"

published on 27 April 2020

New Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" / On board Bulk Carrier Ship "TAI HAWK" - Arriving at #Recalada #BoardingStation #KM239_1 #PuntaIndioChannel #RioDeLaPlata #Argentine Nueva Lancha de Prácticos "SEA MASTER" / A bordo del Buque de Transporte a Granel "TAI HAWK" - Llegando a Recalada #EstaciónDeEmbarque KM 239,1 del Canal Punta Indio, del Río de La Plata #Argentina This video (original sound) was filmed on board Bulk Carrier Ship "TAI HAWK" (IMO Number: 9284556) and shows the moment when the...

0