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

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.

Vishva Preeti

Bulk Carrier Ship "ERIETTA" / Pilot Boat "SEA MASTER" / Embarking Maneuvering of Rio de la Plata Pilots #pilotonboard #Prácticos.-  #BoardingPoint #JP #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina 23.09.2020 This video was filmed on board Pilot Vessel "SEA MASTER" and shows the moments when the Pilot Boat was proceeding to the #BoardingStation #JP #Recalada #RioDeLaPlata to the vessel "ERIETTA", to start with the Embarking Maneuvering of the #RioDeLaPlataPilots Special appreciation to the Master of...

This video has already been published for the first time in 2020. Please also note the second, more recent video in the appendix. This physical ladder simulator was designed for crew training in the ladder arrangement and for all the users especially for pilots.

The maritime industry has long been a domain of tradition, resilience, and technical excellence. But if we look at its human makeup, particularly with regards to maritime pilotage, one question glares us in the face with uncomfortable clearness: where are the women?