It remains a sad fact that accidents and near misses continue to occur during pilot transfers with frightening regularity. Most of these fortunately do not result in injury, and a surprisingly high number of them are not even recognised for what they are.
Surveys into pilot ladder safety consistently reveal that unacceptably high numbers of pilot transfer arrangements are not compliant with the regulations.
This week, the International Maritime Organization Sub-Committee responsible for developing amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 and associated instruments (NCSR 11) finalized a new performance standard for pilot transfer arrangements, which is expected to be made mandatory by SOLAS and apply to new and existing SOLAS and non-SOLAS ships from 1 January 2028.
A video largely shot by my 10, 8 and 4 year old grandchildren depicting an open day at Portsmouth (UK) Commecial Port open day. We look briefly around the port, visit a Challenger (5) sailing yacht, a Pilot boat and a small tanker. The video includes a trip out of Portsmouth Harbour on the Pilot Boat to pick up my Son (a Harbour Pilot) from the grain ship he was taking out of the port.
