Article

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

published on 4 July 2023 - 323 -

Show comment section |

“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 LOTSE 1 - Elbe River, Hamburg - Germany

published on 22 April 2025

Video Timelapse | Ship picks up anchor and proceeds to berth - Singapore straits

published on 18 March 2022

Timelapse of my ship's transit from AEPA Anchorage in eastern Singapore harbour to Universal Terminal Singapore, in the western part of the harbor. The pilot took us out into the traffic lane to avoid inshore traffic. #merchantnavy #deckofficer #tankership #maritime Do enjoy and subscribe for more. Instagram: @officervikrant Facebook: fb.com/officervikrant Hi, this is Vikrant. I am a Trainee navigating officer in the merchant navy, soon to be a 3rd officer. Follow me on instagram and...

Article Ever Given: Egypt claims 900 million dollars in damages

published on 15 April 2021

For days, the container freighter "Ever Given" had blocked the Suez Canal. Now Egypt and the shipping company are apparently arguing about compensation. For safety's sake, the canal authorities had the ship chained up.

Article New book: The Situational Awareness & The Port Pilotage Services

published on 8 February 2021

Serkan Kahraman and Yusuf Zorba have published a new book for marine pilots. In this book, maritime pilots and shipmasters’ situational awareness levels have been analyzed using a bridge simulator system and the results have been obtained.

Video Pilot Boat Leaving the Disney Magic Cruise Ship in Nassau

published on 25 January 2022

Brief footage of a maritime pilot disembarking the Disney Magic and boarding his pilot boat as we left Nassau in January 2022.

Video HMM - Maiden voyage of HMM Algeciras #6-Yantian-departure

published on 17 June 2020

See the world’s largest containership (24,000 TEU) departing Yantian with a world record number of TEU’s on board (19,621 TEU). Wishing you ‘fair wind and following seas’ HMM Algeciras, through to Suez (25th May) then beyond to Rotterdam (ETA 3rd June), Hamburg (7th June), Antwerp (11th June) & London Gateway (14th June).