Opinion

Pilot ladders: Compliance by design, failure by operator


by Herman Broers - published on 10 March 2022 359 -

Text and photos by Herman Broers (Author) and pilotladdersafety.com

It is not often that this blog is used to show bad practice, however in this case some pictures tell a whole story. Ship is compliant by design for rigging a combination. How about the operator(s)?
  • he recessed supporting points are not used for securing the ladder at 1,5 meters above the combination platform.
  • The securing point for the platform itself is not properly used.
  • To solve the problem, a makeshift device is used to attach the pilot ladder to the platform. That is not required / compliant. This solution is not working anyway, as can be seen in the attached pictures.
That is three failures in one go. The fact that a makeshift solution has been made shows that the ship’s management from top to bottom is unaware of the proper rigging of the combination ladder.

There is only one solution: Training! ( and maybe a little TLC for the crooked pilot ladder )

Have a safe day.
Herman Broers
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.
Unlimited License Maritime Pilot, Port of Rotterdam. Pilot ladder safety, active marine pilot - Loodswezen Rotterdam - Rijnmond


Maritime Pilot in port of Rotterdam, Author of www.pilotladdersafety.com
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
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 Winter Edition of "The Master, Mates & Pilot" available

published on 22 December 2021

The Winter Edition of "The Mastes, Mates & Pilot" by the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) has been released.

0

Opinion Scientific Fact: The ‘traditional’ understanding of the ship’s pivot point is wrong!

by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 9 July 2020

In fact, the pivot point that we “see” is a trick of the eye, it looks like the ship is rotating about this point but in fact it is elsewhere, a point that you cannot see.

Video EfficientFlow final conference June 4 2021

published on 10 June 2021

Project results in detail. Efficient port flow using the Port Activity App in the ports of Gävle and Rauma. Sharing time stamps making planning easier for all involved actors. Efficient ship Flow by using a Route distribution service helping pilots better plan meeting points in narrow fairways, saving some fuel but more importantly increasing safety.

0

Video Maritime Piloting in the 17th-Century

published on 25 June 2022

Many people wonder how ships made it across entire oceans without getting lost in the seventeenth century. Aaron introduces seventeenth century navigation to us today by beginning with piloting.

0

Article Book “Remote Pilotage” by Antti Rinkinen

published on 7 January 2022

Finland's first remote pilotage of a cargo ship will take place at the beginning of 2022. The first remote pilotage permits may be issued in 2025.

0

Article Los Angeles Pilot Service Commissions Two New Pilot Boats

published on 15 October 2020

The Los Angeles Pilot Service ordered two customized 56′ Camarc Design pilot boats (P/B) built by Vigor Industrial at their Vancouver, WA facility, located on the northern side of the Columbia River. The LA Pilot Service took delivery of the P/B Angels Pilot and Angels Navigator at Vigor’s shipyard on Swan Island in Portland, Oregon in early October.

0

Video Maritime pilot boarding The Cat Ferry as it approaches Bar Harbor

published on 21 June 2022

Maritime pilots board ships when waters are crowded or treacherous or when a passage is narrow to guide the captain and ship safely through the waters. The Cat operates between Bar Harbor, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

0