Article

UK MAIB spotlights pilot ladder incidents and accidents


by UK MAIB - published on 28 August 2023 388 -

Pilot Ladder Incidents And Accidents

Text and pictures by MAIB, UK - Published 17 July 2023
The MAIB canvassed 105 UK Competent Harbour Authorities for their 2022 pilot transfer statistics. This revealed that almost 700 marine pilots conducted over 96,000 transfers underway using pilot ladder, during which there were over 400 incidents or accidents.

Just over half of these were reported to the MAIB, the most serious of which resulted in the pilot suffering a fractured ankle when they lost their grip on the handhold stanchion and fell 3 metres onto the pilot boat. The preliminary assessment found that the vessel’s handhold stanchions were not fit for purpose, as heir design prevented the pilot gaining a firm grasp as they reached the top of the ladder (Figure 1).
Analysis of the pilot ladder incidents and accidents reported to the MAIB revealed:
  • 25% - were because shackles rather than rolling hitches were used to secure the pilot ladder side ropes (Figure 2)
  • 23% - occured because the material condition of the pilot ladder was poor (Figure 3)
  • 13% - happened because handhold stanchions were not fit for purpose (Figures 1 and 4)
  • 39% - involved issues such as the length of the ladder, its position against the hull and incorrect rigging of the tripping line, among other noncompliance.

Actions To Prevent These Incidents And Accidents:


▶ Check that the pilot ladder is properly rigged
Associated British Ports’ Pilot Boarding Arrangement Requirements – Best Practice information poster
provides useful guidance on some of the most common mistakes and how to rectify them:

▶ Inspect the ladder before use
While old ladders are more likely to be in poor condition, new ladders are also at risk of damage; the pilot ladder should be thoroughly checked before each use and replaced or retested afer 30 months of service. Useful guidance on pilot ladder maintenance, use and replacement is free to download via:

▶ Handhold stanchions must be fit for purpose
The pilot is at particular risk of falling when they transition between the top of the ladder and the vessel’s deck. The handhold stanchion design must allow the pilot a firm grip as they make this transition. The Designated Person Ashore must be notified and arrangements made to fix the issue if the existing on board arrangements do not meet this requirement.


▶ Continue to report pilot ladder incidents and accidents to the MAIB
It is concerning that MAIB has been unable to undertake full analysis of the cause of pilot ladder incidents and accidents due to little more than half of these occurrences being reported to the branch. MAIB is happy to receive reports of unsafe pilot ladders via the UK Maritime Pilots Association (UKMPA) pilot ladder defect reporting app, which is very easy to use:

Conclusions by MAIB:

"This analysis indicates that 99.6% of pilot transfers while underway were completed safely and without incident or accident during 2022. However, the potential consequence of the pilot falling from a ladder can be fatal and the low tech, high risk embarkation and disembarkation of the pilot by ladder requires continued management and oversight."
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Marine Accident Investigation Branch (UK): Report 2020

published on 14 June 2021

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to or on board UK vessels worldwide, and other vessels in UK territorial waters. Here is the annual report of 2020.

0

Article Final Report following the loss of containers from MSC ZOE (1/1/2019)

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 29 June 2020

On the night of January 1, 2019, MSC Zoe lost approximately 290 containers in heavy weather on the journey from Portugal to Bremerhaven. The loss of so many containers is an exceptional event and is the second largest known container loss of a ship due to heavy weather.

0

Article MAIB releases report into grounding and recovery of Thea II in Humber Estuary

published on 21 August 2020

UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published grounding and recovery of a container feeder vessel and a tug in the approaches to the Humber Estuary in storm force conditions on 15 December 2018.

0

Article The Risks of Remote Pilotage in an Intelligent Fairway - preliminary considerations

published on 28 July 2021

This paper described some of the characteristics it could offer to be classified as "smart" by reviewing risk management practices and accident statistics using the Finnish port of Rauma.

1

Video Effects of Ciclone in the ports

published on 14 July 2023

As praticagens que atuam no litoral atingido pelo ciclone extratropical estão em estágio de alerta, avaliando constantemente os efeitos da ressaca e as condições de segurança dos canais de acesso. O objetivo é evitar acidentes e minimizar os impactos na logística e operacionalidade dos portos.
Em São Francisco do Sul (SC), o gerenciamento da situação já ultrapassa 12 horas, monitorando lanchas, navios fundeados e enviando rebocadores para o cais. Em Itajaí (SC), a preocupação inicial...

0

Opinion New guidance for PBAs with trapdoors. Released 4.11.2020 by NZMPA

by New Zealand Maritime Pilot's Association - published on 6 November 2020

New guidance for PBAs with trapdoors. Released 4.11.2020 at NZMPA Conference in Dunedin, NZ. Distinct difference to suggestions in many other countries, is that we challenge operators who have the ladder suspended from the accommodation ladder (gangway) and not secured to the ship. SOLAS states that pilot ladder shall be secured to the ship, and securing strongpoints, shackles and ropes shall be as strong as the sideropes.

1

Video Charting EMSA’s course for the next 20 years (day 1)

published on 17 June 2022

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) - streaming their 20th anniversary conference

0

Video Berthing alongside ice is not easy

published on 4 March 2021

North East Approach to Eydehavn were covered with ice. Navigation and maneuvering required skills and knowledge to bring the vessel safely alongside

0

Video Electronic Chart Standards: IHO ECDIS and ENC

published on 29 October 2019

Tom Mellor - C​hairman of the IHO Electronic Navigational Chart Working Group (ENC WG) and Head of Digital Standards at the UKHO - explains what the IHO's ECDIS and ENC Standards mean.

0

Video AMPI Conference in Port Moresby

published on 8 July 2024

Australasian Marine Pilots Institute or AMPI held its first ever regional conference outside of Australia in Port Moresby.
The conference opened on Monday night and it continued today and tomorrow with discussions on regulation, pilotage in PNG, training, towage, transfers and technology.

0