Article

Santander Pilots ISPO certified (since July 2020)


by ISPO - International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organisations - published on 17 November 2020 183 -

Santander Pilots gaining its ISPO accreditation
photo and text by ISPO

The International Users Group of ISPO certified pilot organizations (IUG) congratulates the Corporación Prácticos del Puerto de Santander (Santander Pilot Service) on gaining its ISPO accreditation. It is another step forward for the International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organizations that the Santander Pilots have been recognised for their standards of best practice.

The ISPO is a quality and safety management system produced for pilots by pilots and provides performance criteria for Risk Management, Training & Qualification, Pilot Operations, Customer Relations and Emergency Preparedness. These operational procedures which are audited by a classification society, ensures a continuous improvement cycle and provides self-regulation and transparency in pilotage standards to all port stakeholders.

This month, Lloyd’s Register conducted external audits of the Santander Pilots operations and procedures, and its Integrated Management System were deemed satisfactory. The Santander Pilots has received accreditation from Lloyd’s Register for its commitment to providing the shipping industry, the Spanish coast and Santander Port with a pilotage service that is quantifiable with respect to the safety management of its operations and its commitment to maintaining a safe environment.

The Santander Pilots is the 23nd ISPO certified pilot organization in the world and there is a growing trend for Pilotage Service Providers to adopt the ISPO as the providers begin to see the benefits of quality and safety management systems.

The IUG, responsible for ISPO, hopes this trend continues and that more pilot organizations will voluntarily opt for this quality and safety management system.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article ISPO code and Control Manual (latest edition 1/1/22)

by ISPO - International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organisations - published on 4 January 2022

The latest edition of the ISPO Code and Control Manual has just been published: From January 1st 2022, the new ISPO Code and ISPO Control Manual will come into effect.

0

Article ISPO 2022 conference program and topics published

published on 17 June 2022

On 21st and 22nd September, the ISPO conference 2022 will be held at Cork in Ireland. Now the conference program and topics have been published.

1

Article New Managing Director at TRENZ GmbH

published on 11 June 2026

With effect from 1 June 2026, Steffen Schmedes has been appointed Managing Director of TRENZ GmbH. He will lead the company with immediate effect alongside Frank Diegel, who previously managed TRENZ alone.

2

Article Interactive pilot ladder poster by UKMPA

by United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association - published on 14 August 2025

By going trough this poster, you’ll find the regulations accessible by tapping on the various items in this poster.

2

Video IMPA receives the 2022 SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award

by SAFETY4SEA - published on 20 October 2022

International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA) received the 2022 SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award for conducting annually its ‘Pilot Ladder Safety Campaign’ with the objective of reporting pilots’ experiences of ladders and boarding equipment to the IMO and the wider shipping community. Other distinguished short-listed nominees of this category were: Inmarsat, International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), Safetytech Accelerator and Seafarers Hospital Society. We are honored to be...

1

Video Live test: Backpack & Lifejacket?

published on 30 September 2021

When publishing articles or pictures about pilots and their pilot ladders, very often we see the use of backpacks. The use of backpacks is controversial, since its weight, or buoyancy, can influence the functioning of the lifejacket used.

2

Article AMSA warns of counterfeit pilot ladders and certificates

by Australian Maritime Safety Agency - published on 9 January 2024

This Pilot Advisory Note (PAN) advises AMSA-licensed coastal pilots and pilotage providers about the existence of counterfeit pilot ladders and associated certification.

1

Video Pilot boat, Ederra 7 off Roches Point, Cork, Ireland in a gale

published on 28 October 2022

Safehaven Marine have just launched an Interceptor 48 pilot ‘Ederra 7’for the MVD Pilots Association, Montevideo, Uruguay. Here’s a nice video with some fabulous drone footage of her undergoing rough weather sea trials ensuring she’s well up to the task of an ‘All weather pilot boat’.

0

Video Pilot Boat Docking Lake Erie

published on 20 June 2022

The Pilot Boat coming back from going out into Lake Erie

0

Video Evergreen containership aground near Baltimore

published on 15 March 2022

A container ship is reported to be stranded off the coast of Gibson Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Marine Tracker lists the ship as the Ever Forward and that it is aground. It appears there are several tugboats out of Baltimore trying to assist. The company that operates the ship, Evergreen, is the same one that was responsible for the ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal a year ago.

0