Video Safe Boarding of Vessels at Sea with GAC
published on 23 February 2022
Boarding a vessel at sea can be dangerous. By following simple rules, it can be done safely. This safety video shows you how to leave the launch boat and climb the ladder when boarding vessels at sea safely as well as boarding preparations, safety precautions and boarding under special conditions. The 3 types of boarding arrangements for pilot are also explained. Watch with sound on. Transfers are normally safe when everyone takes all the precautions. If you think it is unsafe, remember to...
Video Pilots board cruise ships in choppy waters. Fast pilot boats. Auckland & Malta
published on 28 May 2020
Article #dangerousladders - Using social media to improve pilot transfer safety.
by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 12 December 2019
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.
Opinion Pilot transfer arrangements - Sharing knowledge matters – but problems go beyond non-compliance to SOLAS itself
by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 23 September 2020
Like many seafarers I have long been a keen follower of The Nautical Institute’s MARS programme, and along with many other members I listened to the recent webinar on that topic. One theme which was repeated more than once was that it is better to learn from someone else’s misfortune rather than have it happen to you. Having personally been involved in two near misses resulting from unsafe pilot transfer arrangements in a relatively short space of time, I asked how experiences and knowledge specifically about pilot ladder safety could best be promulgated to avoid repeating common accidents or near misses.
Article New SOLAS Amendments Mark Major Step Forward for Pilot Safety
published on 1 July 2025
Video 2021 SAFETY4SEA Virtual Forum – DAY 3
published on 1 September 2022
Welcome to the #2021SAFETY4SEA Virtual Forum! On DAY 3 we are navigating through… Forum Agenda 0:00 - Intro 0:06:38 - Panel #7 Ship Safety – Dry Bulk 1:10:38 - PPT: Loss Prevention, Capt. Konstantinos G. Karavasilis 1:23:20 - PPT: Digital Loss Prevention, Capt. Martti Simojoki 1:36:35 - Panel #8 Ship Safety – Tankers 2:38:02 - PPT: Balancing between automation and people: the Future of Maritime Training, Mrs. Joanna Eugenia Bakouni 2:47:16 - PPT: Training & Development: Lessons Learned from...
Video Oil Tanker Safety: Tug Escorts, Marine Pilots, and Partnership with Scia’new First Nation
published on 26 May 2026
Alberta's government is proposing to partner with Indigenous communities to build a new West Coast oil export project. In B.C. waters, oil tanker spill prevention depends on locally operated escort tugboats and expert local marine pilots, who safely guide tankers in and out of port. On the southern tip of Vancouver Island, escort tugboats are operated in partnership with the Scia’new First Nation in the community’s territorial waters.