1. Home
  2. Articles
  3. ...
Article

Flinders Ports tightens rules regarding pilot ladders from 01.01.2022


published on 27 November 2021 -  1536 -

Show comment section | 1
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

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 Operation Pilot Boat To Tanker in Brunei

published on 30 June 2022

0

Article Updated Marine Safety Information by U.S. Coast Guard

published on 6 November 2020

U.S. Coastgard has published an update of their Recommendation for Pilot Transfer Arrangements in latest Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB).

"Recent deaths of maritime pilots while embarking commercial vessels highlight the risks of operating in an
unforgiving maritime environment. To ensure the safety of all personnel boarding a vessel at sea, the Coast
Guard reminds vessel owners and operators of the requirements contained in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V, Regulation 23 and strongly recommends that owners and operators follow the recommendations within IMO Resolution A.1045(27) – Pilot Transfer Arrangements. "

0

Video MV LYRIKA (Lithuania) and Harbour Pilot Cutter leaving Port of King's Lynn

published on 14 May 2021

Drone footage from King's Lynn.

0

Video Maritime pilot disembark Queen Mary 2

published on 19 August 2022

Watch the Maritime pilot disembark Ocean Liner, Queen Mary 2

0

Video How AIS Works - Operation of AIS

published on 30 June 2020

This section should give a short introduction to: Operational aspects of AIS Functions and features Human aspects Key Points The AIS transponder unit. Automatic communication. SOLAS requirements. AIS Information sent by ships. Static information update. MMSI Dynamic information update. Voyage related information update. Checking AIS data. BIIT Display Of AIS data. Recommended AIS symbols. Sleeping target symbol. Activated target symbol. Selected target symbol. Dangerous target...

0

Video Miami pilot boat, Ships & Voyager video

published on 21 August 2025

Here’s a nice video of ‘Miami’ the Interceptor 48 pilot we built for the Biscayne Bay Pilots, Florida on sea trials, with Voyager helping out as the camera boat.

0