Article

One small step… for maritime safety

published on 7 July 2022 - 86 -

Show comment section |

Text and picture by Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)

The MAIB’s Annual Report published in June highlighted the issue of unsafe pilot ladders, a concern that has been regularly voiced by the industry. In 2021, the branch received almost 200 reports about substandard pilot ladders. Of those, 87% of the ladders were rigged incorrectly (top image) and the remainder were observed by the marine pilot as being materially defective (Figure 1). Fortunately, serious accidents have been rare, but the potential for injury and even loss of life clearly exists.

Read the whole article here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-small-step-for-maritime-safety

What's your opinion on this?

Article Jacobsen Pilot Service and Los Angeles Pilot Station publish notice to all ships

published on 15 August 2020

Jacobsen Pilot Service and Los Angeles Pilot Station published a notice to all ships to inspect pilot ladders before the pilot boards.

Reason is an incident happened at the port of long beach in July 2020. Pilot ladder rope broke while the pilot was on the ladder - luckily the pilot was able to hold on.

Article New Pilot Ladder Magnet Is Switchable

published on 29 June 2021

On the back of the long-standing success of the Yellow-Mag ll Pilot Ladder Magnet worldwide, Serpent & Dove—Applied Magnetics is introducing its patented Yellow-Mag lll Switchable Pilot Ladder Magnet.

Video Pilot Ladder Safety Webinar by The Nautical Institute

published on 12 May 2022

The Nautical Institute (NI) and the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) have been concerned for many years at the needlessly high rate of Pilot Ladder casualties. The NI is continuously reminded of the problem from its Members and through its Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS). The issue features frequently in our publications, and we recently dedicated an edition of our award winning magazine The Navigator to the topic, emphasising the importance of good...

Article Kiel Canal fully closed after accident

published on 30 November 2022

The Finnish special vessel "Meri" collided with Holtenau High Bridge (Holtenauer Hochbrücke) over the Kiel Canal early on Wednesday morning at around 4.37 am.

Article Vessel Review by Baird Maritime: "DPC Dodder" - Ireland

by Baird Maritime - published on 29 August 2022

Dublin Port Company (DPC) of Ireland has taken delivery of a new pilot boat from UK-based Goodchild Marine Services. DPC Dodder is the second pilot boat in a series to be built by Goodchild Marine for the same owner.

Video Piloting the first wind turbines for Colombia

published on 5 July 2021

Impressive pictures from Colombia: MV Malcom arrived on June the 20th carrying the first wind generators for the "Guajira 1" project.

Article Gladding-Hearn Delivers Sixth High-Speed Launch to Delta Pilots

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 15 July 2020

Delta Launch Services, the operating company for the Associated Branch pilots on the SW Pass of the Mississippi, has taken delivery of a new pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. This is the sixth St. John’s Class launch built for the Delta pilots by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard.

Video Pilot Boat Operations at Port of Tyne

published on 6 June 2025

Witness the Historic D/S Hestmanden at the Port of Tyne Experience the majestic arrival and departure of the D/S Hestmanden, Norway's cherished steamship, as she graces the Port of Tyne. This video captures the seamless pilotage operations, showcasing the collaboration between the ship and local maritime pilots. About D/S Hestmanden: Built: 1911 by Laxevaags Maskin & Jernskibsbyggeri in Bergen, Norway Length: 59.47 meters | Beam: 9.17 meters Tonnage: 755 gross tons | DWT: 965 tons...