Required Pilot Boarding Arrangements For Cargo Ships

Required pilot boarding arrangements for cargo ships- Procedures for pilotage -
Embarkation & disembarkation
Pilot is a person who is qualified to assist ship master in navigation while entering or leaving a port. For
the safe embarkation and disembarkation of the pilot master shall designate a Deck Officer for verifying
the safe condition, safe access and appropriate rigging of the pilot ladder / combination ladder
(accommodation ladder) per local requirement and ensure that a heaving line and lighted life buoy is
available at the point of embarkation or disembarkation.
The pilot ladder is a rope ladder provided for a pilot to embark and disembark safely. The pilot ladders
shall be located in a place clear from any possible ship discharges. According to SOLAS, the length shall
be sufficient to reach the water surface when the vessel in ballast condition has an adverse list of 15°.
Unfortunately, such a ladder is too long with steps on the deck of the pilot boat presenting a hazard to
both the Pilot and deckhand. In practice it would be better to have two additional ladders with length
adjusted to prevailing draught conditions.
In case of high freeboard (more than 9m), the pilot ladder shall be combined with an accommodation
ladder.
He shall stay in contact with the bridge and escort the Pilot to and from the bridge. The Master shall
further assure the safety of the Pilot during embarking or disembarking by providing a good lee to the
pilot boat.
Refer to Required Pilot Boarding Arrangements, prepared as per requirements of IMO and IMPA
(International Maritime Pilots’ Association)
Pre -arrival planning:
Passage plan shall also cover pilotage waters. The plan shall identify charted features that will assist
monitoring progress & include contingency measures in the event of equipment failure, poor visibility
etc. Pilot Card shall be prepared in advance.
t is unlikely that every detail of passage will have been predicted in pilotage waters. Much of
what will have been planned may have to be changed after embarking the Pilot. This in no way
lowers the real value of the plan, which is to mark out in advance where the ship must not go and
the precautions which must be taken to achieve that end, or to give initial warning that the ship
may be running into danger.
The plan must be flexible and may be amended by the Master at any time in the interest of
safety.
Master/pilot information exchange:
The pilot shall be informed the ship’s heading, speed & engine setting and handed the pilot card.
The master and the pilot should exchange information regarding navigational procedures, local
conditions and rules and the ship’s characteristics. This information exchange should be a
continuous process that generally continues for the duration of the pilotage.
This exchange of information should include at least:

1. Presentation of a completed ‘Pilot Card & Information Exchange’ ;
2. General agreement on plans and procedures, including contingency plans, for the
anticipated passage;
3. Discussion of any special conditions such as weather, a minimum depth of water
available, tidal currents and marine traffic that may be expected during the passage;
4. Discussion of ship-handling characteristics, machinery difficulties, navigational
equipment problems that could affect the operation, handling or safe maneuvering of the
ship;
5. Information on berthing arrangements; use, characteristics, and number of tugs; mooring
boats and other external facilities;
6. Information and availability of mooring arrangements
Caution / during Pilot onboard
Final responsibility on the commanding the vessel :
The Pilots, their presence on board does not relieve the Master or officer in charge of a
navigational watch from their duties and obligations for the safety of the ship.
The Master and the officer in charge of the navigational watch shall co-operate closely with the
Pilot.
• Monitoring for result of navigational actions :
The safe progress of the ship as planned should be monitored closely at all times, including track
monitoring and regular fixing of the position of the ship, particularly after each course alteration,
as well as monitoring of under keel clearance.
• “Doubled and redoubled safety measures” with Pilot’s order :
Compliance with Pilot’s advice should be verified by checking rudder indicator against helm
ordered and similarly the RPM indicator against M/E (telegraph) order.
• While the Master is leaving from wheelhouse :
If the Master leaves the bridge, the officer in charge of the navigational watch should always
seek clarification from the Pilot when in any doubt as to Pilot’s actions or intentions, and if
doubt still exists, shall notify the Master immediately, taking whatever action is necessary before
the Master arrives.
Note:
Where marine casualties have occurred with a pilot on board, many have been caused by faulty
master/pilot relationships. In many cases, when the Pilot boarded the ship, the Master and the
officer in charge of the navigational watch ceased to monitor the navigation of the ship.
Training on handling of equipment for pilot boarding and leaving
The Chief Officer shall train the crew members in charge of the equipment for the pilots boarding and
leaving, by having them well understand the “Pilot Transfer Arrangements and their Operations.”

Required Pilot Boarding Arrangements For Cargo Ships

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Required pilot boarding arrangements for cargo ships- Procedures for pilotage -

Embarkation & disembarkation

Pre -arrival planning:

Master/pilot information exchange:

This exchange of information should include at least:

Caution / during Pilot onboard

Final responsibility on the commanding the vessel :

• Monitoring for result of navigational actions :

• “Doubled and redoubled safety measures” with Pilot’s order :

• While the Master is leaving from wheelhouse :

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