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

As a rule, every pilot has the right to refuse an unsafe ladder. Safety first! A brave pilot is not the one who uses an unsafe ladder, but the one who, in case of doubt, asks for a different ladder or a different setting.
Unfortunately, too many pilots climb a dubious ladder when in doubt.

SF Pilot leaving the TSGB on Cruise 2021 - Enroute to Hawaii.

Pilot going onboard, using pilot ladder port side, 1,5 meters above the water.

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.

Join our Exclusive Community over on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CasualNavigation In this video we take a look at the basics of ship handling, illustrating how a cruise ship can manoeuvre in a tight space. ---------------JOIN OUR COMMUNITY---------------- We have launched a new community of maritime enthusiasts over on Patreon. ★ https://www.patreon.com/CasualNavigation When you join, you will become part of an Exclusive Community, gain Early Access to our YouTube videos*, receive...

Pilot's boat port of Patras