Bad ladders are a major issue for marine pilot safety
By Arie Palmers
Arie Palmers AFNI is a Dutch marine pilot and is closely involved in efforts to tighten pilot ladder safety. In this case, Palmers shows how one bad ladder can illustrate the dangerous gap between international requirements and real- world industry practice. Arie is also a CHIRP ambassador.
At least eight people died in boarding accidents last year, and bad ladders are part of the problem.
Recently I was involved in a case with a non-compliant and dangerous pilot transfer arrangement on a bulk carrier heading to Vlissingen anchorage for partial discharging.
On the 17th August around 2324 local time the first pilot boarded the vessel at Wandelaar pilot station via the SWATH pilot vessel. The ladder that had been rigged was not used because the servicing pilot had been put on board via the retractable gangway of this boat, and therefore was able to step directly onto the deck of the vessel.
The agent asked me for an English explanation on why this ladder would not be safe. I considered it interesting enough for educational purposes to extend my reply a bit and share it online.
At 0219 local time the next morning (18th August) the vessel arrived at Flushing roads to change the pilot. During this procedure it was established that the ladder did not meet international standards, regulations and requirements and was therefore not safe to use in accordance with SOLAS ch. V reg. 23 rule 2.1. And 3.1. The non- compliances that were noticed at that time were:
- All wooden steps were loose. (pictures and videos were made). No inspection or maintenance had been carried out in accordance with ISO799- 2:2019 ANNEX A. Question: is pilot ladder maintenance and inspection implemented in the SMS system as required?
90 | ISSUE 110 | DEC 2024 | THE REPORT
- All wooden steps were varnished, which is not in accordance with IMO A.1045 rule 2.1.2.4, ISO799- 1:2019 rule 4.1 and is also mentioned in the well-known pilot ladder poster issued by IMPA in cooperation with the IMO (slippery and therefore a tripping hazard).
- No identification tag under the bottom spreader as per reg- ulations ISO799-1:2019 rule 8.1
- Ropes seizings not as per regulations mentioned in ISO799-1:2019 rule 4.7
- Spreaders are not of a one piece construction as per ISO799- 1:2019 rule 5.14
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