Article

Flinders Ports tightens rules regarding pilot ladders from 01.01.2022


published on 27 November 2021 1536 -

Photo taken from YouTube

From 1.1.2022, Flinders Ports will require visiting vessels and their Masters to take additional safety measures related to pilot ladders.

It is a requirement by Flinders Ports that “Pilot Boarding” Arrangements for all ports and other areas where Flinders Ports’ pilots and personnel may board a vessel are to be in accordance with the international regulations.

Due to many incidents involving pilot ladders and man ropes in South Australian ports, and in effort to improve pilot safety, from 1 January 2022 Flinders Ports will require visiting vessels and their Masters to take additional precautions, namely:
  • All Pilot ladders MUST be less than two years in age. Pilots and/or visiting port personnel may ask to see pilot ladder construction certificates.
  • All Man Ropes MUST be made of NATURAL FIBRE such as Manila Rope with dimensions between 28 and 32mm in diameter.
  • All Masters are to fill in the attached checklist for pilot ladder securing and boarding arrangements prior to their arrival to South Australian ports.

AUSTRALIA Nov21 Pilot Ladder Checklist V2 0

Download Checklist here:
Download PDF
Download PDF
Download PDF
Download PDF

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
MH
Manjit Handa Australia
on 2 December 2021, 15:45 UTC

"All Pilot ladders MUST be less than two years in age"
This singular step will go a long way in improving the state of pilot ladders.
I have always argued that despite the best care of pilot ladders on board, there is a finite period beyond which manila rope will deteriorate.

A related issue is the stowage of pilot ladders on board. We have to improve a lot in this aspect. If a pilot ladder is not on the reel, it is subjected to dragging and stowage on makeshift platforms without sufficient cover. A canvas cover is not a proper cover, it is just a way of ignoring a problem.
[show more]
0

AR
Adam Roberts Australasian Marine Pilots Institute, Australia
on 27 November 2021, 17:14 UTC

It demonstrates the lack of attention given by ships and at times financial resource given by owners to this safety and commercially critical task.
Personally I am happy to see port companies saying enough and going down this road. Sadly it is normal to expect some level of non compliance with IMO regulations or ISO standards for pilot boarding arrangements.
No doubt there will be plenty in the industry complaining about it going beyond “the requirements of solas” and whine about “replacing perfectly good ladders” to which I say tough luck mate get on with it.

If it were my call ladders would be replaced annually. ISO799-1:2019 requirement for ladders to be strength tested every 30 months goes some of the way to getting ladders replaced more often. Ie it would be cheaper to replace them than bother landing them for testing. Also any inspection of a used pilot ladder would in my view lead to it being condemned rather than recertified.


[show more]
1

A community member on 27 November 2021, 17:14 UTC

This comment has been removed.

A community member on 27 November 2021, 17:14 UTC

This comment has been removed.

A community member on 27 November 2021, 17:14 UTC

This comment has been removed.

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 "Buran" has been delivered to Poseidon Sea Pilots

published on 17 April 2022

The new pilot boat "Buran" has been delivered to Poseidon Sea Pilots of Queensland, Australia.

0

Article NTSB Investigation: Towing vessel pilot never reported hitting bridge in Louisiana

published on 13 March 2023

The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the contact of the Miss Mollye D tow with the Route 182 bridge was a loss of control of the tow by the pilot at the helm of the towing vessel, likely due to impairment by factors such as fatigue or drug use.

0

Article Update: Fatal Pilot Ladder Accident in Turkey on 18th July

published on 22 July 2022

Boarding Accident Claims Marine Pilot's Life off Yalova, Turkey. Maritime-Executive.com as well as Seanews.com.tr report unanimously on the death of a Turkish pilot

0

Article 2022: A large vessel is to cross an ocean autonomously

published on 10 January 2022

For the first time, a large vessel is to cross an ocean autonomously. The giant, developed by Hyundai, could usher in a new era of seafaringt: 300 metres long, 50 metres wide, with space for 180,000 cubic metres of liquid gas.

1

Video ABB and Keppel O&M collaborate on autonomous tug with remote operation

published on 22 June 2021

ABB, together with Singaporean shipyard Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), has successfully carried out South Asia’s first remote joystick control of a tugboat in the busy Port of Singapore.
The Port of Singapore, with more than 130,000 vessels calling annually, presents one of the most complex settings for autonomous harbor operations in the world. The trial marks a major milestone in validating the increased safety and efficiency of tug operations utilizing digital solutions already...

1

Video Pilot Boat Docking Lake Erie

published on 20 June 2022

The Pilot Boat coming back from going out into Lake Erie

0

Video Hamburg Pilot Boats: "Lotse 1" and "Lotse 2"

published on 6 January 2025

Flotte Hamburg Pilot. Lotse 1/Lotse 2 (MMSI 211281010) Pilot Vessel. Tonnage 93. L. 23.2. W. 6.12. Built 1995. Heinrich Grube Schiffswerft. Flag Germany.

0