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

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

Article Interactive pilot ladder poster by UKMPA

by United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association - published on 14 August 2025

By going trough this poster, you’ll find the regulations accessible by tapping on the various items in this poster.

2

Video Pilot Disembarking

published on 18 February 2022

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

Article Dardanelles: Turkish pilot falls from pilot ladder

by Frank Diegel - published on 8 March 2021

Eray Demirkol, one of the pilots of the Dardanelles Strait General Directorate of Coastal Safety, fell from the pilot ladder into the sea while he was boarding the 176-meter bulk carrier 28653 DWT named "Lord Nelson".

0

Video Salvage operation EEMSLIFT HENDRIKA

published on 8 April 2021

Video footage from the Florø rescue helicopter.

0

Video Pilot boat "Griffiths" off Point Lonsdale (Port Phillip - Australia)

published on 5 August 2025

Just caught pilot launch Griffiths finishing a MOB drill and goes home to Queenscliff.
For a tour over Griffiths see this video https://youtu.be/rAnG87kd9Uw
Ship spotting at Point Lonsdale and other water activities by Wally on Water.

0