Article

Flinders Ports tightens rules regarding pilot ladders from 01.01.2022

published on 27 November 2021 - 1536 -

Show comment section |

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

Flinders Ports Pty Limited

Join the conversation...

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]

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]

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.

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.

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...

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

Article Inspection Campaign on Pilot Transfer Arrangements (Results from 2021)

published on 16 June 2022

This Notice documents the results of the Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Pilot Transfer Arrangements, which was carried out by the Bahamas Maritime Authority Inspectors and vessel staff between 01 July and 31 December 2021.

Video Virtual Reality Marine Pilot Transfer Training Demo

published on 4 July 2020

Short demonstration highlighting key features of the VR Marine Pilot training simulation LWA Solutions have delivered for the Ports of Auckland.
Editors Note (4th July 2020):
This video shows the fantastic possibilities of virtual reality technology. Wonderful demo by Ports of Auckland. In respect for doing this amazing experiment. If somebody knows more about this or other interesting similar projects please leave a comment below and help us to complete information about virtual reality...

Video Sabine Pilots move into new headquarters in Port Arthur

published on 14 May 2021

The Sabine Pilots who help ships navigate their way up and down our waterways officially have a new place to call home.

Article Wärtsilä to supply one of Europe’s most advanced simulators to Finland

published on 22 November 2023

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its latest simulator technology for a new maritime training centre in Finland.

Article Update: "Pilot Ladder Safety" by Herman Broers (07-2021)

by Herman Broers - published on 6 July 2021

Here is the latest version of the professional handbuch of "pilot Ladder Safety" for the rigging and the use of pilot ladders by Herman Broers from July 2021.