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 -  2464 -

Screenshot from IMPA Statement on Twitter

According to information from social networks, nothing has changed at Maersk Kensington even two weeks after the tragic death of Sandy Hook Pilot Captain Dennis Sherwood on December 30th of 2019. This can be proven by the available pictures of the the so called trapdoor arrangement taken by Tom Rutter (Pilot at Virginia Pilot Association).

photo by Tom Rutter "

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. Saying: “This controversial trapdoor arrangement has long been considered unsafe by pilots. It is clearly not in compliance with current SOLAS requirements.” … “Captain Sherwood’s death is a tragic reminder that much more needs to be done.” He demands further that all flag states, port states and ship operator organizations should support an initiative “to get rid of this arrangement, immediately”.

click picture for full view

Marine-Pilots.com also supports all efforts to change these absolutely unsafe circumstances. Stories of these “widow maker” – as some pilots say - trapdoor arrangements must be told to everyone who is involved. It’s time to change. These accidents must not be repeated.

So far, Maersk has only expressed their regrets about the death of Dennis Sherwood in a small note on a maritime news site. The Maersk Kensington reached the nearest port on time after the accident. All Maersk K-class ships have the same trapdoor arrangement as the Maersk Kensington has. To our knowledge no further official statements by Maersk on the trapdoor arrangements on their vessels followed after the accident.

How will Maersk react to the fatal accident?
What steps will the company take for the future and how will they act and react concerning the tragic incident?


Photos from Maersk Kensington by Tom Rutter:

"The Widow Maker"


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

Article Sandy Hook pilot Dennis Sherwood has died after falling during embarking

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

A pilot of Sandy Hook, Dennis Sherwood fell off a ladder while boarding a ship today at 4:30 a.m. and died of his serious injury in Staten Island hospital.

0

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 Demands made by the Pacific Pilotage Authority on the shipping industry following the death of US Pilot Dennis Sherwood

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 27 March 2020

The Pacific Pilotage Authority says: "There is a common misunderstanding amongst vessel operators that vessels built prior to 2012 are exempt from some of the requirements for pilot transfer arrangements. This is incorrect...".

0

Article Swedish Club: Pilot ladder in poor condition

published on 3 August 2022

In it´s August 2022 monthly safety scenario, the Swedish Club describes an accident where a pilot had fallen into the water, after one of the side ropes of the ladder broke.

1

Video Collision with Holtenau high bridge (Video in German)

published on 2 December 2022

Kollision mit Holtenauer Hochbrücke / NDR Schleswig Holstein Magazin 19:30

0

Video Incident on 31 January 2020 : A rope of the pilot ladder breaks. Pilot could still reach the vessel

published on 3 February 2020

Escada usada pelos práticos soltou durante entrada do Maersk Letícia em Itajaí. Saiba mais: http://nsctotal.com.br/
Crédito: Reprodução, Redes Sociais
Container ship MAERSK LETICIA, IMO 9526916, dwt 106043, capacity 7450 TEU, built 2011, flag HK, manager MAERSK LINE A/S.

0

Article USCG: Ever Forward pilot was distracted before grounding

published on 9 December 2022

On March 13, 2022, at approximately 1812 Eastern Standard Time (EST), the Hong Kong flagged containership EVER FORWARD departed Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore,

1

Article Sandy Hook Pilot Timothy M. Murray lost his life while boarding a ship (08/05/2020)

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 6 August 2020

On August 5, 2020 at approximately 10:30 pm, Sandy Hook Pilot Captain Timothy M. Murray was involved in an incident while boarding a tanker vessel inbound to the Port of New York & New Jersey. He sustained injuries after falling from a pilot ladder and was evacuated to a local hospital where his injuries proved to be fatal.

1

Article Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for shipping industry by ICS

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 9 March 2020

Thursday 5th March – The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued brand new guidance for the global shipping industry to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The comprehensive 22-page document has been produced in collaboration with prominent international bodies.

0

Article Pilots sound alarm on proposed federal right whale rules

by Clay Diamond - Executive Director - General Counsel at American Pilots’ Association - published on 1 August 2024

APA says: “Pilots share NOAA’s goal of protecting the North Atlantic right whale, but this is the wrong approach.”

0