Opinion

Suggestions to improve Pilot Ladder Safety


by Nasir Khan - published on 28 June 2021 424 -

Can we make these Experiments?

Modifications: Ships Ladder Handrails & Width of the Pilot Ladder steps
Article and photos by Nasir Khan, Harbour Pilot, Pakistani

Also watch the video for the article at the end of the post!

I analyzes the subject of fallen Pilots are two main Reasons:

Pilots hands are lose their grip at ships handrail

At transfer point mostly pilots loose their grip on Ships Ladder handrails, specially at ships combination ladder extensions.
I suggesting if we rotate small size, approx 4mm diameter rope around the handrails.
I ensure that such a griping Ladder Extension handrails for Safety & Fall protection of Pilots.
I ensure that such a griping Ladder Extension handrails for Safety & Fall protection of Pilots.
I ensure that such a griping Ladder Extension handrails for Safety & Fall protection of Pilots.
I ensure that such a griping Ladder Extension handrails for Safety & Fall protection of Pilots.

Pilots feet are slip from ladder steps

I Mainly observed that the Pilot feet mostly unbalanced & slip from the Ladder steps, due to the width of the steps 115mm , where the Pilot feet are 50% rested at steps, that’s a reason the pilot body couldn’t safely balance and the risk of the slipping and falling escalate.
What I suggest that if we make an experiment, the width of ladder steps to be increase to make it double of 115mm. If we convert it will be 230mm steps width will be considered. It could be more safer while climbing up or down the Pilot feet will be fully & exactly placed on ladder steps . Wide steps for safe and comfortable boarding. I think it will minimize the risk of Pilots falling or occur incident.
Please leave your comments here on Marine-Pilots.com below the article!
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.

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
President Gajanan Karanjikar India
on 1 July 2021, 01:39 UTC

yes these pipes are MS schedule and are in standard (diameter) sizes, anything more than 50 mm could be big for a grip of a palm. Plus wrong rope could absorb oil and be more slippery. Certainly PP ropes wrppings are not advisable at all.
0

Nasir Khan Saudi Arabia
on 29 June 2021, 08:41 UTC

Dear sir Capt. Gajanan.k , sir the standard size of handrails with rotated rope , so may its reduce the size of handrails 4 mm and apply the same size of rope to rotate on and maintain the standard size of handrails with rotated rope. I hope its will work. Thanks sir for your involvement .
1

President Gajanan Karanjikar India
on 29 June 2021, 07:29 UTC

we need to see the final diameter after wrapping. it should not be more than 50 mm as not all hands can have better grip for bigger diameters.
2

Nasir Khan Saudi Arabia
on 28 June 2021, 16:06 UTC

I grateful to Marine- Pilots.com specially ( Mr. Frank Diegel ) being supportive . KHAN
1

Read more...

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

0

Video Polaris Pilot Boat Antwerp Belgium

published on 15 March 2022

Vessel name: Polaris ; Year built: 2012 ; Flag: Netherlands ; Homeport: Rotterdam Length: 81.2m X 13.3m ; GRT: 2501 ; Callsign: PBZN ; MMSI:245142000 ; IMO: 9496915 Type: Special Vessel / Pilot Ship A "Pilot Ship / Pilot Vessel" is a "special type" of ship in which it accommodates a certain and limited Marine Pilots (Sea, River, Harbor Pilots), it also carries small boats/crafts that are used to tender services to and from the Pilot ship. In a Pilot Vessel, the Pilots can take their time...

1

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Video OXE Marine in Indonesia

published on 13 May 2025

Pilot boat with over 2000 engine hours of operation in tough operating conditions.
OXE Marine brings its high-performance, fuel-efficient diesel outboards to Indonesia, offering a sustainable and reliable solution for commercial marine operations.

0

Video Pilots boarding San Francisco Bar Pilots

published on 5 July 2021

Pilots boarding the M/V Hodaka Galaxy with the San Francisco Bar Pilots.
More content @sea_weathered https://instagram.com/sea_weathered?utm_medium=copy_link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_pilot

0

Video Pilot Ladder on Ships- Correct rigging procedure 2020

published on 8 January 2021

Correct method of rigging pilot ladder explained.
As explained, a large number of reports related to the use of pilot ladders which are too long relative to the vessel’s draughts. As a result, the excessively long ladders require shortening up before being deployed for boarding pilots. In these cases, ship crew shortens the pilot ladders, using D-shackles to choke the side ropes at the required height along the ladder’s length. In this method, the D-shackle is first secured to a hard point...

1

Video Pilot gets off cruise ship after piloting Carnival Dream out of the harbor at Freeport Bahamas

published on 7 December 2022

Watch as a pilot boat approaches and picks up the pilot after escorting the carnival dream from the harbor in Freeport Bahamas

0

Video Maritime pilot GEMİDE KILAVUZ SEYİRİ

published on 14 August 2025

“Gemide Kılavuzla Seyir | Kaptan ve Kılavuz Arasındaki Kritik İşbirliği (2025 Yönetmeliğiyle)” 📄 YouTube Video Açıklama Metni 🔵 Gemide kılavuz kaptanla seyir nedir? 🔵 Kılavuz kaptan gemiye nasıl çıkar, ne yapar? 🔵 2025 Gemi Adamları ve Kılavuz Kaptanlar Yönetmeliği ne getiriyor? Bu videoda, gemi kaptanı ile kılavuz kaptan arasındaki işbirliğini, liman manevralarının perde arkasını ve mevzuata dayalı zorunlulukları sade ve anlaşılır bir dille anlatıyoruz. Gerçek örneklerle desteklenen bu...

0

Article River and Bar Pilot Accidents

by www.maritimeinjuryguide.org - published on 16 December 2021

"Mariners may receive financial compensation for current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, present and future lost wages, and pain and suffering."

1