Video

Is this safe? Pilot Boarding with two man ropes (Australia).


published on 29 July 2022 -  1365 -

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.

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
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.
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]
0

Pilot Mackenzie Moseley British Columbia Coast Pilots, Canada
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….

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….
[show more]
0

A community member on 8 August 2022, 05:39 UTC

This comment has been removed.

Capt Martin White Port Authority New South Wales, Australia
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.
0

Captain Andrea Caroli Deep North Sea Pilot, France
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.
0

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.
0

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.
0

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.
1

Read more...

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

0

Video Pilot Transfer - New Zealand (Auckland) & Australia (Melbourne/Fremantle)

published on 21 October 2021

Spotted some Pilot Boats in the Port of Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne & Fremantle Australia (Port codes: Auckland:NZ AKL ; Melbourne:AU MEL ; Fremantle:AU FRE).

0

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Article Because of Corona Embargo? Navy boat rams German cruise liner off Venezuela - and sinks

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 3 April 2020

A patrol boat of the Navy of Venezuela sank in international waters after apparently shooting and ramming a German cruise ship. Allegedly the "Resolute" was to be diverted off course.

0

Video Honningsvåg Pilot Recovery

published on 16 June 2023

Leaving Honningsvåg Norway aboard the Nieuw Statendam cruise ship in May 2023. Video shows the Pilot leaving the ship.

0

Video Miami pilot boat, Ships & Voyager video

published on 21 August 2025

Here’s a nice video of ‘Miami’ the Interceptor 48 pilot we built for the Biscayne Bay Pilots, Florida on sea trials, with Voyager helping out as the camera boat.

0

Video Pilot boat by Baltic Workboats for Port Everglades Pilots - US Humphree Interceptor Installations

published on 31 August 2020

Port Everglades Pilots 54’ Pilot Boat No7
With 2x Humphree H750 Interceptors w/Active Ride Control

0

Article Safehaven Marine starts sea trials for new Irish Pilot Boat

by Baird Maritime - published on 14 May 2024

Irish boatbuilder Safehaven Marine will soon commence sea trials of a new harbour launch ordered by compatriot operator Cork Pilots.

0

Article US Coast Guard: Verify gateway handhold arrangements

published on 25 April 2022

The US Coast Guard "Safety Alert 04-22" has been released. The alert addresses the importance of verifying the correct arrangement of handholds in embarkation gate arrangements aboard merchant vessels.

0