Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) and other individual MOB devices have been available for some years now and have evolved to incorporate a variety of different alerting methods and combinations. However, usage of these additional enhancements within UK Pilotage is still in its infancy.

SeaSafe - Marine pilot falling off a ships ladder with his integrated life jacket coat

"Rope Ladders" by PTR Holland

‘It certainly hurts – using the integrated lifting sling on a life jacket.’

#halifax #pilotboat #halifaxnovascotia #novascotia #ship #shipping #sailor #sailorslife #seafarer #seafarers #ships #ocean #canada #boat #boats #atlanticocean #lifeatsea #sea #marinepilot #mariners #containership

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.

Bulk Carrier Ship "THALIS" / Pilot Boat "SEA PILOT" / Embarking Maneuvering of Rio de la Plata Pilots,
Argentina

The IMPA has published on 30th June 2020 a letter about crew exchange in times of corona. Read the letter here: