Article

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

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 3 February 2020 - 2517 -

Show comment section |

photo by Alexandre Gonçalves da Rocha (source social media)

In Itajai (Brazil) on 31 January 2020 during boarding a rope of the pilot ladder broke. The first pilot still reached the vessel (on the photo he can be seen on the gangway), while the second pilot could no longer use the ladder.

Video of this incident

Container ship MAERSK LETICIA, IMO 9526916, dwt 106043, capacity 7450 TEU, built 2011, flag HK, manager MAERSK LINE A/S.

More pictures of the incident and discussions can be found in the Facebook group "#dangerousladders".

What's your opinion on this?

Article 1,000 ways to secure a Pilot Ladder

by Arie Palmers, Netherlands - published on 10 January 2020

From that moment on I have been keeping a tally of the non compliant boarding arrangements I see in front of me on a daily base, and off course I participate in the annual safety campaign, conducted by IMPA each october.

Article Rope snapped: Marine Pilot accident in Durban, South Africa.

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 29 April 2020

A 35-year-old male sea pilot of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) fell into the sea from a crude oil tanker near the N Shed Wharf in the port of Durban. A rope of the pilot ladder is said to have snapped for an undetermined reason when the man disembarked while leaving the crude oil tanker which was leaving the port of Durban.

Article 1,000 Combinations around - Which one is correct?

by Arie Palmers, Netherlands - published on 22 October 2020

Before you, you see my third article on pilot boarding arrangements. After my two previous articles ‘1000 ways to secure a pilot ladder’ and ‘1000 ladders around’, I have received a lot of feedback and also questions to get deeper into the matter of combinations and embarkation platforms.

Article The Risks of Remote Pilotage in an Intelligent Fairway - preliminary considerations

published on 28 July 2021

This paper described some of the characteristics it could offer to be classified as "smart" by reviewing risk management practices and accident statistics using the Finnish port of Rauma.

Article Argentina: Pilot died of heart attack on board

published on 3 March 2021

Pilot died of heart attack on board of tanker JC BAZAN, berthed in San Lorenzo, Argentina, Parana river, on Mar 2.

Article St. Andrew’s Bay Pilots Mourn the Loss of Captain Phillip Brady

by Florida Harbor Pilots Association - published on 16 January 2026

The St. Andrew’s Bay Pilots are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Captain Phillip Brady, age 46, on January 12, 2026.

Article Operational notes & recommendations on Portable Pilot Units (PPU)

by United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association - published on 2 December 2021

OPERATIONAL NOTES AND RECOMMENDATIONS by UKMPA, February 2017
The introduction of modern lightweight Portable Pilot Units (PPU) for use during pilotage has proved to be another major advance for pilotage operations worldwide.

Article A helpful "Dangerous Ladders Tool: The app “NO RUMO CERTO” from Brazil

by Porthos Lima, Brazil - published on 17 January 2020

My name is Porthos Lima and I am the Technical Director of Brazilian Pilots Association. I have been working as a Pilot for 20 years. I am here today to introduce you to our App "No Rumo Certo". The App was inspired in 2017 IMPA SAFETY CAMPAIGN.