
This guide details the procedures that should be followed when preparing for pilot embarkation and disembarkation. It sets risk in context through relevant excerpts from IMO regulations and findings from the 2016 IMPA Safety Survey. Photographs and diagrams effectively demonstrate good and bad practice.
This publication emphasises the importance to ship operators and seafarers of adhering to established rules when preparing for pilot embarkation and disembarkation. It covers the responsibilities of all personnel involved in pilot transfer, pilot ladder construction and securing the pilot ladder. IMPA Safety Survey findings highlight areas of preparation that are often missed, raising awareness of possible risk mitigating measures. The guide includes the complete text of IMO Resolution A.1045(27) on Pilot Transfer Arrangements.
Throughout the world, at any time and in any weather conditions, a number of marine pilots will be in transit from one location to another. Each of these pilots will need to be safely embarked or disembarked from their ship. There are a number of ways in which this transfer operation can be completed, each involving a certain degree of risk.
It is critical that all involved in pilot transfer are fully aware of the dangers that exist. Only through effective training and education can pilot transfer operations be made safer, irrespective of the transfer method used.
Pilot
embarkation
and
disembarkation
normally
takes
place
when
the
ship
is
underway
or
alongside
a
berth,
but
it
may
also
take
place
when
the
ship
is
at
anchor.
Possible
transfer
methods
include
by
pilot
boat,
helicopter
or
directly
from
the
shore.
Transfer
may
be
facilitated
by
the
ship’s
accommodation
ladder
or
vehicle
ramp,
or
possibly
by
crane
basket.
However,
the
usual
method
is
by
traditional
wooden
pilot
ladder,
and
this
arrangement
is
the
focus
of
the
publication.
Despite the best efforts of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), various regional and national pilot associations, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), there continue to be far too many reports of poorly rigged or unsafe pilot ladders.
In recent years, a significant number of pilots have been fatally injured as a direct result of accidents occurring during embarkation or disembarkation and many more have been seriously injured.
IMPA
represents
the
international
community
of
marine
pilots
and
as
such
promotes
the
‘effective
safety
outcomes
in
pilotage’.
Periodically,
IMPA
conducts
Safety
Campaigns
which
collate
details
of
pilot
transfer
compliance
in
accordance
with
internationally
agreed
standards.
The
most
recent
survey
was
held
during
October
2016.
It
reported
that
defects
were
recorded
on
481
(18%)
of
the
2,709
ships
for
which
details
were
provided.
The
figure
for
non-compliance
in
the
2002
survey
was
22%
and
in
the
2015
survey
the
non-compliance
figure
was
21%.
Standards cannot be said to have improved significantly, despite the recent changes to the regulations and recommendations. There continue to be many inadequate or unsafe transfer arrangements presented for pilots.
The aim of this publication is to remind all seafarers of the importance of adhering to the rules and established procedures when preparing for embarkation and disembarkation of pilots.
1.
General
Responsibilities
of
all
Involved
in
Pilot
Transfer
1.1
Regulations
Applicable
to
Pilot
Transfer
Arrangements
1.2
Pilot
Boarding
Grounds
1.3
Owners
and
Ship
Management
Companies
1.4
On
Board
the
Ship
1.5
Pilotage
Services
1.6
Pilots
1.7
Pilot
Boat
Crew
2. Pilot Ladder Construction
3. Securing the Pilot Ladder
4. Access to the Deck
5. Supervision
6. Shipside Doors
7. Combination Ladders
8. Associated Equipment
9. Lighting
Annexes
Witherby
Publishing
Group
Witherbys
titles
are
developed
using
scripts
developed
by
technical
experts
that
are
peer
reviewed
within
work
groups.
Typically,
they
seek
to
improve
understanding
of
the
regulations,
recommendations
and
guidelines
issued
by
Industry.
Witherbys
staff
have
significant
expertise
in
the
fields
of
navigation
and
hazardous
cargoes
as
well
as
in
the
presentation
of
complex
subjects
in
a
graphic
and
easy
to
understand
manner.
Captain
Kevin
Vallance
Captain Kevin Vallance has held the role of Master with South Coast Shipping Co and in 2006, became a Trinity House Licensed Deep Sea Pilot. He was elected to the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association Technical and Training Committee and represented them at a variety of safety meetings during his 5 year tenure. In 2020, he was awarded the Merchant Navy Medal for his services to maritime safety.
- Number of Pages:
- 93
- ISBN:
- 9781856097574
- Binding Format:
- Paperback
- Book Height:
- 235 mm
- Book Width:
- 155 mm
- Weight:
- 0.2 kg
- Published Date:
- October 2017
- Preview:
- Yes