Article

Sandy Hook pilot Dennis Sherwood has died after falling during embarking


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 30 December 2019 -  15830 -

photo by Sandy Hook Pilots Association

Dennis Sherwood, a pilot of Sandy Hook fell backwards off a ladder while boarding a ship today at 4:30 a.m. and died of his serious injury in Staten Island hospital, according to U.S. Coast Guard reports. A routine investigation of the accident has been initiated.

Although no name of the ship has been provided, the accident appears to have occurred while boarding the Maersk Kensington (U.S. flag, IMO: 9333010), which came from Algeciras, Spain. Her gross tonnage is 74642 and deadweight is 84688. MAERSK KENSINGTON was built in 2007. MAERSK KENSINGTON length overall (LOA) is 299.47 m, beam is 40 m. Her container capacity is 6200 TEU. The ship is operated by MAERSK LINE LTD-USA.
During the accident the wave height was 4-5 feet with a wind speed of 30 knots.


It is important to find out what happened and how such an incident could possibly be avoided in the future. The analysis of aviation accidents should be a blueprint for maritime accident investigations. It is absolutely exemplary.

Marine-Pilots.com will continue to report in the coming hours. Our thoughts are with the relatives. It's a sad day at the end of the year...

Dennis Sherwood piloted vessels in and out of the Port of New York and New Jersey for 35 years. He is survived by his four children and his wife.

What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article In Memoriam of Captain Dennis R. Sherwood (1955 - 2019)

by Bianca Reineke, lutheran Pastor, Germany - published on 3 January 2020

Ladders are the bridges for crossing the rough seas of our lives.
When you are a Marine Pilot at work, hoping and praying that the ladders which let you embark the vessel are stable, safe and not dangerous.
In Memoriam of the late Captain Dennis Sherwood who passed away on Monday the 30th of December.

1

Article Death of Pilot Dennis Sherwood: IMPA President statement to IMO. New photos of Maersk Kensington.

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 23 January 2020

IMPA President makes a statement to IMO on January 17th regarding the passing of Captain Dennis Sherwood. A letter to IMO was published via Twitter today.

0

Article Request from the American Pilots’ Association to State Pilotage Authorities Regarding Pilot Safety

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 20 February 2020

The American Pilots’ Association has sent a letter to state pilotage authorities across the United States on behalf of approximately 1,200 American ship pilots to improve safety pilot safety following the death of a New York pilot in December.

0

Article Results online survey into the securing methods of pilot ladders

by Herman Broers - published on 5 March 2021

It has been shown that a majority (51%) of pilot ladders is secured by means of D-shackles, when secured at intermediate length. Previous research (Evans, 2020) has proven that this method has only about 50% of the strength of the pilot ladder when secured at full length (“double ended ladder”), or by means of the “endless-sling” method.

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

Article ’úya – Canadian operator welcomes pilot/rescue boat to fleet

by Baird Maritime - published on 3 January 2025

The Bridgemans Services Group has taken delivery of a new search and rescue (SAR) boat that can also be used for pilot transfer, firefighting, and pollution response duties.

0

Article AIMPA Journal- October 2021 issue XV

by AIMPA - All India Marine Pilots' Association - published on 15 October 2021

The All India Maritime Pilots' Association has released its new journal for October

0

Video Pilot Boat Hamburg Pilot 3

published on 19 November 2025

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) today presented the pilot transfer vessel Hamburg Pilot 3 in the Port of Hamburg.

0

Video Baltic Workboats Steams into the U.S. Pilot Boat Market

published on 29 January 2026

Based in Estonia, Baltic Workboats is a long-tenured boatbuilder for multiple markets, including the demanding pilot boat sector. Late in 2025 in New Orleans BWB debuted a new hybrid electric 17m model, a boat that leans on more than 15 years of accrued experience building larger hybrid electric vessels. Carl Mahler, BWB’s North American sales lead and a harbor pilot himself, discussed with Maritime Reporter TV the value proposition offered by the shipyard, from manufacturing process to...

0