Article

Pilots: deaths from unsafe pilot ladders and incompetent crew


published on 22 December 2021 546 -

Original Article by Bart Oosterveld / Schuttevear, published on 15 December 2021

The international pilots association Impa is sounding the alarm about unsafe pilot ladders. According to the pilots, a worldwide survey has shown that access to the ship via the pilot's ladder often does not comply with the regulations. In Europe this is even the case in more than 17% of cases. The need for change is great: every year fatalities occur.

Just imagine: transferring from a pilot boat riding the waves to a tall ship. In stormy weather, at night and at dawn. Pilots risk their lives every day for safe shipping. You might think that the equipment should be in top condition and used properly. But the pilots experience that this is not always the case. They come across defective pilot ladders, with slippery or crooked steps and ladders that have been hung up incorrectly, to name but a few.

Of the 3322 reports made during the two-week survey in October, relatively the most poor assessments ('non compliant') came from Europe (166) and Asia/Oceania (122).

A so-called trapdoor, banned since 1979, is still used on ships.
A so-called trapdoor, banned since 1979, is still used on ships.
A so-called trapdoor, banned since 1979, is still used on ships.
A so-called trapdoor, banned since 1979, is still used on ships.
Arie Palmers is a Scheldt pilot (Wester- and Oosterschelde) and almost every day he has to transfer to large container ships, tankers and bulkers in the North Sea to bring them safely to the ports on the Scheldt. He says that it is not only the ships under a flag of convenience where the rules are not respected. Also ships of large shipping companies, or under a respected flag, sometimes do not have their affairs in order. The sanction he has in his hands is severe. If I come across an unsafe pilot ladder, I will, if necessary, make them take a round trip until it is safe. Sometimes it turns out that they've found a brand new pilot ladder somewhere. Often the ladder can be made safe with a little adjustment.

Gangway
What goes wrong according to the Impa pilots? Common faults are a ladder that does not adhere to the hull, broken steps, steps that are not evenly distributed, dirty steps and steps that are not properly attached to the ropework.

Above a height of nine metres, a pilot ladder must be used in combination with a gangway. Otherwise, climbing is no longer responsible. The top part of the ladder must then protrude 1.50 metres above the gangway, which is also regularly not the case.

Retrieval line
A lead rope with a broken spreader. (Photos Arie Palmers)
A lead rope with a broken spreader. (Photos Arie Palmers)
A lead rope with a broken spreader. (Photos Arie Palmers)
A lead rope with a broken spreader. (Photos Arie Palmers)
Most often, it goes wrong with the confirmation of the retrieval line. This is also what Palmers encounters most often. The retrieval line is attached to the end of the lower spreader, which is used to balance the ladder against the ship's hull. The crew can use the retrieval line to pull the ladder up quickly when necessary. That line must point to the front of the ship', says Palmers. Otherwise, there is a risk that it will get stuck to the pilot boat during an unexpected wave movement and take the entire pilot ladder with it. But it is often at the back. I have that changed before I get on the ladder.

Communication
Palmers observes that it is often not a matter of faulty material, but of incompetent handling by the crew. He also often encounters those who hang up ladders not wearing life jackets. Unacceptable according to Palmers. Look, if someone falls overboard, as happened recently, then the pilot boat crew has to fish the victim out of the water'. What also often happens is that no mate or other person in charge is on deck while climbing aboard. This is mandatory, among other things for communication with the bridge, says Palmers. But sometimes he can understand why things are done this way. They have been loading or unloading in the harbour all day and you see a lonely sailor walk up to them. He doesn't feel like getting his colleague out of bed.

International Pilots Association IMPA
International requirements for a pilot ladder. (Source: IMPA)
International requirements for a pilot ladder. (Source: IMPA)
International requirements for a pilot ladder. (Source: IMPA)
International requirements for a pilot ladder. (Source: IMPA)
Palmers has long been committed to safe working conditions. He believes that writing thick manuals with lots of instructions makes little sense. The sailors and other crew members are not going to read them. It's all about training and explaining. For example, I put a lot on social media. Pictures work really well.

He is also in regular contact with the major shipping companies and provides them with advice.

Solas
In its annual report, the Impa makes a comparison with the coronas measures. 'Ships have been quick to introduce precautionary measures. It is commendable that keeping a distance, using mouth masks and washing hands have become standard procedures on board. In contrast, we must unfortunately note that enforcement of the long-standing Solas regulations (on pilot ladders - ed.) is still not improving. Pilots are still being injured or killed during transhipments. As with safety measures around the virus, there needs to be a change in the practice of pilot transfers.'

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Pilot Mackenzie Moseley British Columbia Coast Pilots, Canada
on 23 December 2021, 22:28 UTC

Not wearing backpacks while boarding.

Wearing inherently buoyant floatation (not inflatable that punctures or fails to inflate).

Wearing helmets.

Not having the hard boat underneath you to fall back on until you are less than ten feet above it.....

All best practices pilots can do, but seem to be rarely seen or mentioned.

Would also love to see injury patterns of what is actually killing pilots coming off ladders, not just speculation.
[show more]
0

Herman Broers Loodswezen Rotterdam - Rijnmond, Netherlands
on 23 December 2021, 19:29 UTC

Good translation ;-)
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 BERGE BIMBERI to Port of Rotterdam

published on 31 March 2022

On march 24th, 2022, the bulkcarrier BERGE BIMBERI entered Port of Rotterdam via the Eurochannel. The ship had a draft of 17,6 meters and two pilots were flown in by helicopter for this job. Assisted by Faiplay tugs and KRVE linesmen she eventually berthed at EECV bulk terminal in Europoort, Rotterdam.

0

Video Taiwan’s first female maritime pilot|Taiwan News

published on 16 July 2024

As Taiwan’s first female maritime pilot, Huang Chao-ling battles wind and waves every day as she guides ships safely into port. Her profession is high-risk and ultra-specialized, requiring years of experience at sea. Huang’s remarkable career is featured in Episode 50 of "The Soul of the Craftsman," a video series produced by the General Association of Chinese Culture. As strong winds blow and the rope ladder sways, maritime pilot Huang Chao-ling clambers up the ship, so that she can guide...

0

Article Can you trust your GNSS data?

published on 23 November 2022

This important topic is still underestimated in shipping! Can you trust your GPS? Your Galileo? Knowing where the ship is and where to sail next is the main task of navigating a ship and is commonly supported by using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). But what happens if the GNSS gets intentionally disturbed?

2

Video Example of Covid-19 protection in India (Pilot Boat)

published on 2 July 2020

Pilot disembarkation from ship (kakinada)
Editors note:
The shown protections are very massive in our opinion.
What does our community think about?

0

Video Ghana's first female Marine Pilot

published on 19 October 2022

TV3'S JOSEPHINE FREMPONG tells the story of ghana first female marine pilot flying high the flag of Ghana.
the FIRST FEMALE PILOT to brave all odds and beat the men to it.

0

Article Command or Control?

by Capt. Gürhan Aktürk - published on 27 October 2019

“Piloting the vessels was there since there was a sea transportation” This is one of the most popular and might be most proud phrase for pilots. During the maritime history, piloting the vessels evolved in many aspects, however main core is never changed; trustworthy colleague from neighbourhood will be close by for safe passage.

0

Article A ship like no other: CMA CGM Jacques Saade, 23,000 TEU, LNG powered

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 23 September 2020

The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE joins the fleet: the first 23,000 TEU container vessel in the world to be powered by liquefied natural gas.

1