The local harbor pilot boards the 2GO Maligaya on the port side during her Monday noon arrival to Cebu from Manila
See my photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/dareleven/

London Pilots (PLA) have issued an excellent quick reference guide for Pilot Transfer arrangements, which can be used for pilots as well as ship’s crews. Please take not of this document and if you can, try to incorporate it into your procedures.

In this article I would like to share my thoughts on this pilot ladder poster. Is it as good as we think or is there room for improvement? By taking you through this poster step by step I hope to explain what needs to be changed to make it similar to IMO an SOLAS regulations.

Pilot transfer arrangement is a sensitive topic to be discussed among the pilot’s fraternity. Although ships are designed and operated with compliance to the SOLAS requirements in all respects including the pilot transfer arrangements, there has been numerous deficiencies observed related to pilot transfer arrangements. The small deficiencies from the part of ships cause life threatening accidents for pilots and sometimes to the ship staff themselves. There are many instances of defective ladder and complacency in proper rigging of ladders has been reported almost every day in different parts of the world. Many pilots lost their life, severely injured for life and face many minor to major accidents. The latest incident being the Capt. Timothy Murray of Sandy hooks Pilot.

Good news for pilot safety: As one of the leading shipping companies, MAERSK is now targeting the notorious "trapdoor arrangements". A corresponding notification to all the company's ships concerned was made public in the last few days.

The name tag plate on this ladder displays a few important items that can be cross referenced with the certificate: Type, Model, Length, Production date, as well as the serial number (Prod.No) and the approval standard.

19 M Pilot Boats designed and built at Bilimora, Gujarat by A. H. Wadia Boat Builders. Vessels meets the requirements set by Indian Register of Shipping and is registered as RSV Type 4 Vessel of MS Act. Hull is constructed in steel and Superstructure is in Composite. Boats were able to achieve speeds above 22 knots. Unique hull form is responsive and easily maneuverable. Custom accommodation layout is spaciously arranged for 8 Crew members. Engine room hosts 2 Main Diesel Engines and 2...

Montrose Port Authority's new pilot boat was welcomed by water cannons as it arrived at its new home at the port of Montrose on Thursday 22nd December, making its journey from Ireland where the boat was constructed.
Read more about the pilot boat arrival on the Montrose Port Authority website: https://montroseport.co.uk/2022/12/23/pilot-boat-new/

Pilot boat Hanakahi inbound to Pier 19, Honolulu Harbor. 18 July 2020.