There are many things in both our everyday and professional lives which we take for granted and never question the origins of, an example of this might be the IMPA recommended ‘pilot mark or pilot line’, which is sometimes seen on the side of vessels indicating where a vessels freeboard exceeds 9 metres.

During the transit time on the pilot launch between the shore and the vessel, marine pilots will spend at least a portion of that time carrying out (either consciously or subconsciously) a risk assessment of the forthcoming operation.

Over the past few years a number of pilot transfer accidents have occurred resulting from total failure of the side ropes, one school of thought is that the methods of securing a pilot ladder is a factor in such occurrences.

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.

#PilotVessel "SEA PILOT"/ On board #BulkCarrierShip "ASL ARK" #KM239_1 #PuntaIndioChannel #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata #JP #BoardingPoint/ 19th. August 2025 - 09:47 Local Time.- On this video (with original sound), you can watch the moment in which the Pilot Vessel "SEA PILOT" arrived to the Port Side of the Bulk Carrier Ship "ASL ARK" (Approaching Maneuver) to Disembark the Rio de la Plata Pilots, from that vessel at the #BoardingStation​ #KM239_1 #PuntaIndioChannel #Recalada​ #RioDeLaPlata​.-...

This video shows the reality of pilots in Kenya.

A counterfeit ladder is a pilot ladder that purports to be a genuine approved ladder, from a manufacturer that has been certified by an approved body in the manufacture of pilot ladders to a certified standards.

Queensland and one of Australia’s longest serving custom commercial and recreational boat builders, Norman R. Wright & Sons, has secured the contract to build 2 new custom designed 14.8 metre Pilot Boats for PNG Ports Corporation from Papua New Guinea.