Article

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

published on 4 July 2023 - 323 -

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“The problem with statistics is that it’s a bummer when it’s you!”

― Arie Palmers, Maritime Pilot

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

Sadly there have been 7 deaths associated with maritime pilot transfer operations already in the first 6 months of 2023.

What are the current international regulations for ships and what are the barriers to reducing the risk? How can individuals, the industry, ports and ship builders make changes to save lives in the future?

Guests:

Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector at Marine Accident Investigation Branch

Arie Palmers, Senior Maritime Pilot working in the Netherlands

Adam Parnell, Director at CHIRP Maritime Charitable Trust

Listen here

What's your opinion on this?

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.

Article 1,000 ways to secure a Pilot Ladder

by Arie Palmers, Netherlands - published on 10 January 2020

From that moment on I have been keeping a tally of the non compliant boarding arrangements I see in front of me on a daily base, and off course I participate in the annual safety campaign, conducted by IMPA each october.

Article China wants to change pilot ladder regulations

published on 3 May 2022

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

Video Pilot Vessel "SIRIUS IV" - Puerto la Plata

published on 24 June 2020

Pilot Vessel "SIRIUS IV" /On board Pilot Boat "KOON" #PilotVessel #CanalAccesoAPuertoLaPlata #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina #Argentine On this video (with original sound), you can watch the Pilot Vessel "SIRIUS IV", underway inside the #CanalAccesoAPuertoLaPlata to the Boarding Position at Zona Comun to Embark and Disembark Pilots. The video was filmed, on board the Pilot Vessel "KOON".- #CanalAccesoAPuertoLaPlata #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina Date: 17th. June 2020. Time: 10:03 hours (Local Time)....

Video Piloting car carrier "Felicity Ace", from Brixham Pilot Station (2022 RIP)

published on 30 March 2022

Mission ended well and disembarked on 13/12/2021. She didn't. Weekes later she caught major fire and sank South of the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean. Fortunately, the crew abandoned the ship and no casualties were reported.

Video Another non-compliant trap door arrangement

published on 4 October 2021

Some pilots have already lost their lives because of this non-compliant construction. We don't want to see such an arrangement again. Here is a latest video from the Middle East.

Article Falmouth Harbour inviting UK tenders to build “greenest, most efficient” £1M+ Pilot Boat

published on 24 August 2022

Falmouth Harbour (FH) is inviting boat builders around the UK to tender for the construction of a clean, green, fuel-efficient pilot vessel to join a fleet operating 24/7, 365 days a year and completing more than 1000 boardings and landings per year within the Falmouth Pilotage Area.

Opinion A Brief Comparison of the 2021 and 2022 IMPA Safety Campaigns

by Capt. Uluç Hanhan - published on 20 December 2022

As my colleagues know, IMPA conducts a “safety campaign” in the fall every year. The 2022 safety survey report was released a few days ago. First of all, we would like to thank the pilots who participated in this survey from all over the world.