Video

Live test: Backpack & Lifejacket?

published on 30 September 2021 - 375 -

Show comment section |

Found on YouTube. Created by "Marine-Pilots". Originally published on 2021-09-28.

Video and text by Herman Broers:
When publishing articles or pictures about pilots and their pilot ladders, very often we see the use of backpacks. The use of backpacks is controversial, since its weight, or buoyancy, can influence the functioning of the lifejacket used.

With a lot being said about the issue, the only way to find out if my backpack is hampering my lifejacket in any way is a live test. So today was the day. With my own lifejacket, with my own backpack.

In this short video, the lifejacket of The dutch pilots is put to the test in combination with a backpack. The so-called 3D lifejacket (SECUMAR ALPHA 275 X PILOT) has specifically been designed with a so-called 3D air chamber to compensate the weight of any bag used.

www.pilotladdersafety.com

Join the conversation...

A community member on 8 October 2021, 17:29 UTC

This comment has been removed.

Mackenzie Moseley British Columbia Coast Pilots, Canada

on 8 October 2021, 17:29 UTC

I agree… why would you wear a backpack on a pilot ladder? It weighs down the wearer if the PFD fails to inflate, and could restrict inflation.

Furthermore, an inflatable PFD has no natural floatation, it requires proper automatic operation and inflation to become a PFD, and when inflated is subject to damages scraping down the side of a barnacle covered ship or being beat up in the recovery process; then you’d have no buoyancy and the weight of a backpack. Add being unconscious and you’re breathing water.

Why not just wear a foam PFD and eliminate these risks and variables?

At least they’re wearing a helmet, that’s good.

[show more]

Pedro Cardoze Panama Canal Pilots Association, Panama

on 30 September 2021, 15:59 UTC

An opinion: Why would a pilot climb a pilot ladder with a backpack instead of sending it on a heaving line? It’s, in my opinion, not a safe practice.

Video Life of a Marine Pilot: Work, Salary & Privileges ft. Capt. Shailendra Nautiyal (2025)

published on 5 May 2025

👉Ship To Shore Guidance Series For Deck Officer: https://courses.merchantnavydecoded.com/learn/Ship-to-Shore-Guidance-Series-for-Deck-Officer 👉Ship To Shore Guidance Series For Marine Engineer: https://courses.merchantnavydecoded.com/learn/Ship-to-Shore-Guidance-Series-for-Marine-Engineer 👉Ship Chartering And Ship Brokering Guidance Series: https://courses.merchantnavydecoded.com/learn/Ship-Chartering-and-Ship-Brokering 👉Check your eligibility for MEO Exam and Mates Exam: https://www....

Video Robust pilot boats of Netherlands and Belgium

published on 7 August 2020

These are some of the reliable sturdy Pilot boats of Netherlands and Belgium to bring and pick up Marine Pilots to and from commercial merchant vessels either inbound or outbound. The Marine Pilots are licensed PROFESSIONALS who have a thorough knowledge of a certain port and they guide the Master/Captain of commercial ships in and out of the foreign Seaport. Location: Steenbank Pilot Station, Flushing/Vlissingen Pilot Station, Wandelaar Pilot Station. Boats in order of appearance in this...

Video Marine pilot by helicopter // A whale in rough weather // Berthing in Durban port

published on 25 October 2021

In this video we would like to share our experience while berthing in port Durban … weather was rough .. witnessed a whale enjoying in big waves .. a doctor came onboard for covid test … received pilot by helicopter and so on …
Hope you all would like the content…
Feel free to drop us a message
tdandu03@gmail.com

Article One more K2m pilot boat for PNG Ports

published on 31 August 2022

The pilot boat will be christened Paga after the Paga Hill which overlooks the Fairfax Harbour where PNG Ports operates from in Port Moresby.

Video Allision Between Containership Maersk Shekou & Tall Ship Leeuwin II | ATSB Released Interim Report

published on 22 April 2025

Details on Fremantle Incident: MV Maersk Sheoku Collides with STS Leeuwin II and actions of Crew and Pilots April 21, 2025 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano — a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner — discusses the Australian Transport Safety Bureau Interim Report on the Collision between Maersk Shekou and tall ship STS Leeuwin II. #leeuwinII #Fremantle #collision 00:00 Background 09:57 Arrival at Fremantle 17:22 Entrance into Channel 27:27...

Opinion AIMPA has published "Providing Peek into Marine Pilots' World" - Issue II

published on 21 September 2020

The PDF of the second issue is available for download here

Article Southern Ports Pilots Gaining Its ISPO Accreditation

published on 21 December 2021

The International Users Group of ISPO certified pilot organizations (IUG) congratulates Southern Ports pilots on gaining its ISPO accreditation.

Article ‘Smart Ports. Piers of the future' brings together six large ports

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 25 November 2019

For the first time, the ports of Antwerp, Barcelona, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Montreal and Rotterdam come together to showcase their most advanced digital transformation and sustainability projects at their dedicated ‘Smart Ports’ exhibit

Video Marine Pilot Of Palembang | Palembang Harbour Pilot | Palembang Sea Pilot

published on 3 December 2020

WE ARE PALEMBANG MARINE PILOTS
WE WERE BORN TO SERVE YOU
WE KNOW THAT, THIS IS A GREAT WORK
A TRUST GIVEN BY OUR COUNTRY TO ENSURING MARITIME SAFETY

Article Lessons learned: Failure of outboard side combination railing

published on 17 February 2022

According to the International Maritime Pilots Association (IMPA), the ship “Grand Radiant” suffered an incident where the accommodation ladder entire outboard side railing fell away due to a pin becoming loose.