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 The difference between Gross Tonnage and Net Tonnage

published on 14 July 2020

Using pictures and sketches, this video finally explains the difference between gross tonnage (GRT) and net tonnage (NRT); the ship spaces that are included/excluded in their calculation; and the importance of these terms to ship owners.
Contents of this video will benefit mariners preparing for exams (written and oral examinations).

Article No consultation for Pilotage at Jomard Passage (Papua New Guinea)

published on 30 May 2022

The Louisiade People's Foundation (LPF) has raised serious concern that a Pilotage Service Expression of Interest advertisement has been done without much consultation with the people of the Jomard Passage.

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Join us for a full exterior walkaround of the Norwegian pilot boat LOS 107 while she’s underway — bow to stern, wheelhouse to fenders. Real-time footage of a working pilot/launch at sea.

Video Preparation & Rigging of a Pilot Ladder

published on 10 September 2020

Notice by Marine-Pilots.com:
This was one of the rare videos that want to show how to prepare a pilot ladder properly and safely for the pilot and according to all rules. But this video was not ok too.
For this reason we have removed the video.
If you have better videos that are suitable for learning, please send us the links or videos. We will publish them here. Thanks a lot.

Article New Pilot Boat for Virginia Pilots

published on 2 April 2025

The Virginia Pilot Association has added a new high-speed pilot launch to its fleet, delivered by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. This marks the tenth vessel built by the Somerset, Massachusetts yard for the association since 1983

Video HMM - Maiden voyage of HMM Algeciras #10-Hamburg

published on 18 July 2020

#MaidenVoyage #HMMalgeciras
The maiden voyage of HMM Algeciras #10-Hamburg: Look at the sunrise in Hamburg, Germany. The city awakes, but the port never sleeps. The HMM Algeciras, the first largest containership in the world, bids farewell to Hamburg.