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

Video Brixham harbour pilot boat

published on 2 November 2023

Video from Brixham, UK

0

Article IHMA Congress 2020 goes virtual

published on 20 August 2020

With the theme, "The Next Wave – Navigating Towards the Digital Future, the 12th biennial Congress will be delivered virtually from 5 - 10 October, 2020.

The Congress remains the key forum for IHMA members and the global ports sector to collaborate, network, share information, and provide updates on the latest industry technology and solutions.

0

Video Humber Marine Pilots by Correspondent Sarah Corker

published on 10 September 2020

For as long as ships have been sailing the seas, there have been maritime pilots to guide them through the most dangerous waterways. But there is a worldwide shortage of seafarers and the industry is struggling to attract young people into the profession. Our Business Correspondent Sarah Corker has been given rare access to film with pilots on the Humber Estuary who work 365 days a year, whatever the weather. And a warning, Sarah’s report may make you feel sea sick.

1

Article P&O Maritime Takes Delivery Of New Pilot Boat

published on 22 February 2021

Australian builder Hart Marine has delivered a new pilot boat to P&O Maritime Logistics for operation in the waters of Dubai.

0

Video ESAIL maritime microsatellite

published on 16 September 2020

Soon a Vega will launch from Kourou carrying a payload of several satellites. These will be delivered into orbit by a new multi-payload system developed by ESA. Among these small satellites, E-SAIL. This microsatellite is dedicated to supporting maritime traffic and making seafaring safer. It is part of ESA’s SAT-AIS programme, which aims is to increase the coverage of the Automatic Identification System for ships. This system is a short-range coastal tracking system currently used on...

0

Video Airkeel stabilizer test on a Prozero boat from Tuco Marine

published on 14 March 2022

In July 2021 DACOMA launched a new EU project: AMCOSTAR. Amcostar is a Eurostars/Eureka Network funded Eurostars project on Adaptive Control of Airkeel vessel stabilizer systems. The consortium partners, DACOMA ApS in Svendborg (DK), Syddansk Universitet - University of Southern Denmark in Sønderborg (DK), and Automasjon & Data AS in Stavanger (NOR) and Tuco Marine ApS - ProZero Workboats (DK) in Faaborg, will optimize, test, and demonstrate an adaptively controlled Airkeel stabilizer on a...

0

Article Electronic Chart Standards: IHO ECDIS and ENC

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 29 October 2019

Found on YouTube:

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