Article

China wants to change pilot ladder regulations


published on 3 May 2022 -  1878 -

Despite the current regulations describing the different types of pilotage transfers, there are still many non-compliant pilotage transfers today.

China has already submitted proposals to the IMO regarding changes to SOLAS, Chapter 23, and IMO A.1045(27) in early 2021.

At both MSC104 and MSC105 (which ended last week) there was no time to address this important issue. At MSC105, the intention was expressed to discuss this issue at the upcoming MSC106.

The attached PDF shows the proposal submitted by China to improve safety when transferring via pilot ladders.
The paper also discusses the so-called trapdoor arragements.

On LinkedIn these days, the internationally respected safety expert on pilot ladders, Capt. Arie Palmers assessed the submitted proposals as follows:
"Indeed it is better to take enough time to discuss this important and urgent matter. Not just the footnotes in SOLAS chV reg.23 and IMO A.1045(27) need to be amended; there is a lot more to change as you might know. Indeed a very good paper forwarded by China last year."
Click to download PDF
Click to download PDF
Click to download PDF
Click to download PDF
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Inside the IMO Maritime Safety Committee | The Nautical Institute

published on 27 August 2026

Title: Inside the IMO Maritime Safety Committee. Subtitle: How Global Shipping Rules Are Made Opening What happens inside the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and how are global shipping rules really made? This episode takes you behind the scenes during MSC. Full Description: In this episode of Your Voice at the IMO, we go inside the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) at the International Maritime Organization, the body responsible for shaping global maritime safety regulations. As...

0

Article Podcast: Maritime Pilot Safety and reducing the risk in pilot transfer operations

published on 4 July 2023

This is an in-depth discussion of the risks involved in maritime pilot transfers; an interesting job but with a risky commute to work.

0

Article Combinations Ladders: "1,000 combinations around" (by Arie Palmers)

by Arie Palmers, Netherlands - published on 13 July 2020

Before you, you see my third article on pilot boarding arrangements. After my two previous articles
(‘1000 ways to secure a pilot ladder’ and ‘1000 ladders around’, I have received a lot of feedback and
also questions to get deeper into the matter of combinations and embarkation platforms.

3

Article New pilot boat delivered to Spain's Port of Ferrol

by Baird Maritime - published on 9 September 2024

Irish boatbuilder Safehaven Marine recently handed over a new pilot boat "Punta Do Cruceiro" to the Port of Ferrol in northwestern Spain

0

Article AIMPA Journal- May 2021 issue XI

by AIMPA - All India Marine Pilots' Association - published on 17 May 2021

The All India Maritime Pilots' Association has released its new journal for May

0

Video MV Arvin 17.01.21 - Moment of breaking of the ship

published on 7 February 2021

On 17.01.2021, at 12:35 pm, the research conducted by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure based on the distress signal received from the Satellite Assisted Search and Rescue System (Cospas-Sarsat system), it was found that the Palau flagged Arvin ship was sunk, and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Main Search and Rescue Coordination Center Search and rescue elements were immediately dispatched to the region. Due to adverse weather conditions, the ship anchored in the...

0

Article Ship enters closed gate of the Holtenau lock in Kiel Canal

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 29 August 2020

According to various reports, the motor vessel "Else" damaged the gate of the Kiel-Holtenau lock at 5:00 a.m. on 29 August when it entered the closed gate without a pilot.

3

Article DanPilot's half-year report reflects transition in a pressured market

by DanPilot - published on 5 October 2021

The first half of 2021 is a testament to the organisation of DanPilot, a pilotage company that has been diligently adapting to a smaller market as a result of the fallout from Covid-19.

0

Video Storms, waves and risky maneuvers - The most dangerous job in the North Sea?

published on 24 September 2026

Marine pilots must make crucial decisions under extreme conditions. Transferring from a cargo ship to a small pilot boat in hurricane-force gusts can be fatal. For marine pilots, this is the most dangerous moment in their daily working lives: climbing down a rope ladder from a cargo ship in gale-force gusts, and transferring to a small pilot boat. In mid-January, a pilot fell into the sea off Borkum and was taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia. Just a few days earlier, a British...

0