Found on YouTube. Created by "jayrassicmark". Originally published on 2022-07-27.
Editor's note:
We are curious about the opinions on this type of boarding.
This is Pilot Boat GENESIS from Australia.
We are curious about the opinions on this type of boarding.
This is Pilot Boat GENESIS from Australia.
Join the conversation...
TC
Tony Crabbe
United Kingdom
on 14 November 2024, 23:20 UTC
I never used the manropes while ascending as it puts too much reliance on arm strength and not enough on leg strength. It also causes you to lean back and lose stability as the width of the rungs prevent you from maintaining stability through a wider gait.
Nevertheless I ued them for descending as they allow for a quicker landing on the pilot boat in a swell and reduce the risk of leg entrapment.
Lastly on ascending there would be four points of securing that might fail. On descent I was able to check each one before stepping out.
Nevertheless I ued them for descending as they allow for a quicker landing on the pilot boat in a swell and reduce the risk of leg entrapment.
Lastly on ascending there would be four points of securing that might fail. On descent I was able to check each one before stepping out.
I would not accept it being mandated which way it should be done but all choices should be available. Each to his own.
[show more]
on 8 August 2022, 05:39 UTC
At least they wore helmets….
The boat stayed under them with that railing to fall across and cause catastrophic injuries….
The boat stayed under them with that railing to fall across and cause catastrophic injuries….
No reason it couldn’t have backed away….
At least they wore foam jackets with inherent buoyancy and some ballistic protection if they fell backwards onto the rail.
Inflatable jackets that aren’t maintained or fail to inflate make me nervous.
Easy ways to be safer….
A community member on 8 August 2022, 05:39 UTC
This comment has been removed.
on 4 August 2022, 22:52 UTC
Well I’ve completed over 7000 transfers using man ropes for boarding and disembarking off Sydney. No right or wrong way.
on 1 August 2022, 21:35 UTC
2nd time in life I see this (previous was at Richards Bay, circa 1988). Cannot understand the purpose of these ropes either in climbing and descending. Ladder ropes are far safer to grab
, IMHO.
, IMHO.
HR
Hugh Ripley
Port of Townsville,
Australia
on 31 July 2022, 06:33 UTC
It's believe it's a matter of individual preference - I always have them removed for boarding, have them rigged for disembarking. I don't think there is a right or wrong way. Couple of other observations though. Both pilots on deck not clipped on to a traveller - first one does hold onto it though. Ascending a pilot ladder with a backpack on - dangerous. And as for the deckhand - don't know why he bothered to go out on deck - no lifejacket, no safety strop made fast to the traveller and no attempt to check the ladder - very casual.
A community member on 31 July 2022, 06:25 UTC
This comment has been removed.
HB
Howard Bryant
United Kingdom
on 30 July 2022, 10:53 UTC
Perfectly safe and used usefully in a heavy swell but not needed under the conditions pictured. The manropes should be taken in; it is dangerous to wear a backpack. Anything to be taken aboard should be hauled up on a heaving line.
PN
Paul Nevins
USA
on 29 July 2022, 19:38 UTC
When climbing, keeping the body weight over the feet/vertical for use of the strong leg muscles to propel upward. Hands for the stability vs pullups all the way up. The ropes lean you back & out away from the ship. Your body weight is also on the move out/away. If in weather, makes you more vulnerable to wind/sea.
Read more...
Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot
published on 22 December 2021
Video Pilot Transfer - New Zealand (Auckland) & Australia (Melbourne/Fremantle)
published on 21 October 2021
Video Battling the North Sea: Pilot Transfers in choppy seas
published on 13 November 2025
Join us out in the North Sea as we take on another challenging day aboard the pilot boat, transferring pilots to and from massive ships in choppy seas. 🌊 Watch as we battle the swell and spray, timing every approach perfectly to safely board and disembark pilots onto moving vessels in tough conditions. From cargo ships to car carriers, this video gives you a front-row seat to life at sea — where precision, teamwork, and nerves of steel are essential. 📍 Filmed off the North East Coast of...
Video Hugues Cauvier: Understanding the ship's pivot point (complete video)
by Capt. Hugues Cauvier - published on 3 September 2024
Video Delaware River Pilot Boat Transfers
published on 19 September 2023
Video Day shift for duty pilot in Gibralta
published on 6 June 2023
Article Norway’s Seas Become Home for a Young Woman - Norway´s First Female Maritime Pilot
by Mauri Moore Shuler - published on 4 August 2022
