Pilot Ladder Safety

GOOD CATCH from The American Club
Pilot Ladder Safety

Part 1: Poor pilot ladder condition
Your safety as well as the safety of your fellow crew mates is every crewperson’s responsibility. The same
responsibilities apply to those visiting your vessel, including marine pilots. There has been a tragic increase
in marine pilot fatalities in recent months and pilots around the globe are paying particular attention to the
conditions of pilot ladders of the vessels they board. Many have refused to board vessels where ladders
are in poor working condition. The American Club has reached out to the marine pilot community regarding
some of the main concerns they have with pilot ladder arrangements.
Worn and frayed side rope at pilot step. Frayed and broken man-rope. A broken side rope. Periodic visual
inspection are imperative.
Exposure of pilot ladders to sea conditions These pilot steps have seen many feet cross This is not exactly what a pilot is happy to
and regular handling of the equipment them and should be replaced. see if they come to board your vessel.
lead to broken wooden spreaders.
Pilot Ladder Safety

GOOD CATCH Part 1: Poor pilot ladder condition September 2021
SOLAS regulation V/23, Pilot Transfer Arrangements, set forth the standards and requirements
for boarding arrangements, responsibility of ship’s personnel in rigging pilot transfer equipment,
associated pilot transfer equipment, clear access and lighting.
Before every use, and before every rigging of a pilot ladder, attention is to be paid by the responsible
officer to the overall condition of the pilot ladder. Due to the work pressure on ship’s crews, the
condition of the pilot ladder can be overlooked and loose or missing chocks, dirty ropes and steps,
even damaged steps are found in some cases.
Keeping a watchful eye out for pilot ladders that may be in poor condition is everyone’s
responsibility. Keep that watchful eye on your vessel and avoid conditions seen in these photos
captured by safety conscious pilots around the globe.
When you identify a hazard before someone gets hurt... it’s a Good Catch.
When you fix a problem before something bad happens... it’s a Good Catch.
When you take responsibility for your own safety... that’s a Good Catch, too!
All pictures are courtesy of maritime pilots worldwide and Facebook group #dangerousladders.
Your Managers thank Capt. Herman Broers, a maritime

pilot in Rotterdam, for his efforts maintaining the
website pilotladdersafety.com, and recommend that
Members take note of the information it contains and
be guided accordingly.
American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection & Indemnity Association, Inc.
Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Manager Shipowners Claims Bureau (Hellas), Inc.
New York Piraeus
tel +1 212 847 4500 fax +1 212 847 4599 tel +30 210 429 4990 fax +30 210 429 4187
email [email protected] web www.american-club.com email [email protected]
Houston SCB Management Consulting Services, Ltd.

tel +1 346 223 9900 Hong Kong
email [email protected] tel +852 3905 2150
email [email protected]
Shipowners Claims Bureau (UK) Ltd.
London SCB Management Consulting (China) Co., Ltd.
tel +44 20 7709 1390 Shanghai
tel +86 21 3366 5000 fax +86 21 3366 6 1 00
Pilot Ladder Safety
Part 2: Retrieval lines
This ladder is not classified as a pilot A pilot ladder in excellent condition, but Although this retrieval line seems not be
ladder, since it has no spreaders and four the location of the retrieval line on this long in a position that would increase risk of
rubber steps. The retrieval line is in the pilot ladder does not seem fixed for ease of entanglement, it has been affixed at least
way of the steps. retrieval by the crew. two meters above where it should have
been affixed.
This slack retrieval line could be a source of trouble for a

pilot in heavier seas.
Pilot Ladder Safety

GOOD CATCH Part 2: Retrieval lines September 2021
SOLAS regulation V/23, Pilot Transfer Arrangements, set forth the standards and requirements
for boarding arrangements, responsibility of ship’s personnel in rigging pilot transfer equipment,
associated pilot transfer equipment, clear access and lighting.
To rig a pilot ladder is hard physical work for the vessel’s crew. The longer the pilot ladder in length,
the more difficult it can be to retrieve once it has been deployed, and retrieval lines are regularly
used.
International Maritime Organization Assembly Resolution A.1045(27), Recommendations on Pilot
Transfer Arrangements, paragraph 2.1.5 recommends that when a retrieval line is considered
necessary to ensure the safe rigging of a pilot ladder, the line should be fastened at or above the last
spreader step and should lead forward. The retrieval line should not hinder the pilot nor obstruct the
safe approach of the pilot boat.
The reason for this is very simple: A retrieval line suspended under the bottom spreader can easily
get caught in the fenders or bollards of the pilot boat, or the pilot’s leg can get entangled in it.
Ensure the retrieval line is correctly rigged every time as the pilot’s safety is dependent upon it.

New York Piraeus
tel +1 212 847 4500 fax +1 212 847 4599 tel +30 210 429 4990 fax +30 210 429 4187

tel +1 346 223 9900 Hong Kong
tel +44 20 7709 1390 Shanghai
tel +86 21 3366 5000 fax +86 21 3366 6 1 00
Pilot Ladder Safety
Part 3: Combination ladder arrangements
The lower platform of the accommodation The pilot ladder has not been secured to the Pilot ladder is to be secured to the ship,
ladder is less than 16 feet (5 meters) above ship’s side. not the accommodation ladder.
the waterline.
Accommodation ladder’s lower platform is International Maritime Organization/International Maritime Pilots’

not horizontal with waterline. Association poster, Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilots.
Pilot Ladder Safety

GOOD CATCH Part 3: Combination ladder arrangements September 2021
SOLAS regulation V/23, Pilot Transfer Arrangements, set forth the standards and requirements for boarding
arrangements, responsibility of ship’s personnel in rigging pilot transfer equipment, associated pilot transfer
equipment, clear access and lighting.
When the vertical freeboard to the water level is more than 30 feet (9 meters), a combination ladder arrangement,
consisting of a pilot ladder and an accommodation ladder at the same time, is normally used. The reason for this
is that a fall from more than 30 feet (9 meters) into the water is considered mortal. There are many things to keep
in mind when rigging a combination ladder, all of which can be found on the International Maritime Organization/
International Maritime Pilots’ Association poster, Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilots.
Most deficiencies noted are:
a. the platform is less than 16 feet (5 meters) over the water;
b. the platform is not horizontal;
c. the pilot ladder is not secured to the vessel’s side at 5 feet (1.5 meters) above the platform;
d. the accommodation ladder is not secured to the vessel’s side; and
e. the inner stanchion of the combination ladder is missing.
Members are also reminded of our Alert of March 9, 2020, American Pilots’ Association Request—Dangerous
Trapdoors that addresses concerns among pilots regarding trap door platforms due to the multitude of potential
non-compliances intrinsic to such arrangements.

New York Piraeus
tel +1 212 847 4500 fax +1 212 847 4599 tel +30 210 429 4990 fax +30 210 429 4187

tel +1 346 223 9900 Hong Kong
tel +44 20 7709 1390 Shanghai
tel +86 21 3366 5000 fax +86 21 3366 6 1 00
Pilot Ladder Safety
Part 4: Securing pilot ladders at intermediate length
responsibilities apply to those visiting your vessel, including marine pilots. There has been a tragic increse
Affixing a deck tongue over a pilot Pilot ladders should never be affixed to non-designated securing points such as seen here.
ladder should be avoided as they are not
designed to carry the load of the ladder.
Steel shackles used to secure pilot ladder side ropes The use of steel bars to secure pilot ladders should also be avoided
should also be avoided as they are not reliable to as they are strung through side ropes the can damage the ropes that
handle the weight and will damage the chocks. are not designed to carry such loads at such points.
Pilot Ladder Safety

GOOD CATCH Part 4: Securing pilot ladders at intermediate September 2021
length
SOLAS regulation V/23, Pilot Transfer Arrangements, set forth the standards and requirements for
boarding arrangements, responsibility of ship’s personnel in rigging pilot transfer equipment, associated
pilot transfer equipment, clear access and lighting.
While there are plenty of regulations and guidance regarding the safe use of pilot ladder arrangements,
none of them provide adequate guidance to secure pilot ladders of intermediate lengths.
To ensure that the pilot ladder is not damaged, no excessive weight should be put on the steps and
spreaders as they are not designed to carry such loads. The weight of the ladder should be transferred
to fixed strong points on deck by means of the pilot ladder’s side ropes. It is recommended to use a
rolling hitch knot using ropes of sufficient strength. The use of D shackles and deck tongues can the
damage pilot ladder’s steps. Using steel bars should also be avoided. The use of pilot ladder chocks to
secure the pilot ladder should also be avoided.

New York Piraeus
tel +1 212 847 4500 fax +1 212 847 4599 tel +30 210 429 4990 fax +30 210 429 4187

tel +1 346 223 9900 Hong Kong
tel +44 20 7709 1390 Shanghai
tel +86 21 3366 5000 fax +86 21 3366 6 1 00
Pilot Ladder Safety
Part 5: The cutting edge
Wear and tear on the pilot ladder rope Well designed pilot station with a section of
will occur at a faster rate if no sharp edge cut steel pipe affixed to ensure pilot ladder
protection is in place. goes over a rounded edge.
Pilot ladder over the side across a sharp

edge.
Pilot Ladder Safety

GOOD CATCH Part 5: The cutting edge September 2021
SOLAS regulation V/23, Pilot Transfer Arrangements, set forth the standards and requirements for
boarding arrangements, responsibility of ship’s personnel in rigging pilot transfer equipment, associated
pilot transfer equipment, clear access and lighting.
“Failure by design” is an element of pilot ladder safety that is often beyond the vessel crew’s control. A
common example of this is the presence of sharp deck edges in and around the pilot’s boarding station.
It is imperative that crews remain vigilant and watchful of pilot ropes and other parts of the pilot ladder
that can be damaged by sharp deck edges where pilot ladders go over the vessel’s side. Such events
can be injurious or fatal to the pilot or personnel on a pilot boat. A simple way to avoid this is to weld
a round pipe over any sharp edges to safeguard the ladder against such damage. This will also avoid
excessive wear to the ladder.

New York Piraeus
tel +1 212 847 4500 fax +1 212 847 4599 tel +30 210 429 4990 fax +30 210 429 4187

tel +1 346 223 9900 Hong Kong
tel +44 20 7709 1390 Shanghai
tel +86 21 3366 5000 fax +86 21 3366 6 1 00

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GOOD CATCH from The American Club