Article

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


published on 4 July 2023 323 -

“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

What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

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.

2

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.

0

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.

0

Article Work profile of maritime pilots in Germany

published on 27 December 2021

Long and irregular shifts, unforeseeable operations and high responsibility are still prominent in the job of a pilot and pose high psycho-physical demands.

1

Video Devenir pilote | Become a pilot (Pilotes du Saint-Laurent Central)

published on 21 May 2022

This video deals with the training of apprentice pilots and the transmission of knowledge and know-how. The language in the video is French.

0

Article Belgium: Shipping Delays Persist as Pilots Continue Pension Protest

published on 13 October 2025

The Professional Association of Maritime and Inland Pilots (Beroepsvereniging van Loodsen – BvL) announced on Thursday that its strike over Belgium’s pension reform will continue throughout the weekend.

1

Video Hugues Cauvier: Understanding the ship's pivot point (complete video)

by Capt. Hugues Cauvier - published on 3 September 2024

This video has been recut and edited by the creator Hugues Cauvier. Previously there were three episodes, which have now been combined into one.

1

Article Port of Tyne invests in Artemis electric pilot boat

published on 10 March 2025

The Port of Tyne on the UK’s north-east coast has announced the purchase of the UK’s first fully-electric foiling pilot vessel designed and built by Artemis Technologies of Belfast.

0

Article IcePad, Smart download and view satellite images of sea-ice

by Drift + Noise GmbH - published on 26 July 2019

Download and view satellite images of sea-ice on your mobile device or PC within an intuitive map-based interface.

0