Article

Murphy's law on pilot boarding - Arie Palmers


by Arie Palmers - published on 20 July 2021 525 -

1. Any knot that can come loose will do so at the most inconvenient moment

2. Slipknots are called like that for a reason

3. The last bolt of 8 holding the gangway platform up, will let go when a pilot stands on it

4. Gangway platforms that were severely stuck, will suddenly give way when a pilot steps on it

5. Rain always starts 5 minutes before the pilot transfer

6. Wind will start blowing 5 minutes prior to ETA pilot station

7. If there is a way to rig a pilotladder wrong, someone will do so eventually

8. The day you forget your helmet a twistlock will fall down from the vessel you’re attempting to board

9. Automatic lifejackets will inflate automatically at the moment you absolutely don’t want them to

10. From all ways to rig a ladder, the wrong way is the easiest

11. Whenever several things can go wrong, the one that causes most damage will

12. Every solution breeds new problems

13. It’s impossible to make a foolproof pilot ladder securing device because fools are so ingenious

14. You cannot legislate for stupidity

15. Probability of a bow thruster failure is inversely proportionally to distance with the quay

16. If everything seems to be going well, you’re overlooking something

17. The chances of the pilot launch scratching the paint of a vessel is directly proportional to the cost and date of the last drydock paintjob

18. A shortcut to the bridge is always the longest distance between 2 points

19. When you eliminate 4 ways on which a pilotladder can be rigged wrong, a fifth way you’re unprepared for will promptly develop

20. You’re always against the current until you’re almost there

21. Wind is not your friend

22. A safe lee is non existing

23. When there is a chance of getting wet during transfer, you will

24. Pilot launches are exponentially stronger than ankles

MURPHY WAS AN OPTIMIST
sea, river, harbor pilot (westerschelde, oosterschelde and adjacent coastal area) active marine pilot - Loodswezen - NEDERLANDSE LOODSENCORPORATIE


50 years old, without a proper birthday party this year ( thank you corona..) 12 years as a pilot 2 years offshore/tugboats 8 years with juvenile delinquents mv Koningin Juliana, mv Smal Agt 8 years Navy: minehunter, explosive ordnance clearance 2 years army: artillery sergeant

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Captain Michal Sinius Poland
on 1 August 2021, 06:21 UTC

Item 16 summs up it all!
0

RC
Ricardo Caballero Vega Panama Canal Pilots Association, Panama
on 20 July 2021, 16:09 UTC

I could not agree more!
0

Read more...

Article Combinations Ladders: "1,000 combinations around" (by Arie Palmers)

by Arie Palmers, Netherlands - published on 13 July 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.

2

Article Pilots: deaths from unsafe pilot ladders and incompetent crew

published on 22 December 2021

The international pilots association Impa is sounding the alarm about unsafe pilot ladders. According to the pilots, a worldwide survey has shown that access to the ship via the pilot's ladder often does not comply with the regulations.

0

Video Webinar Dangerous Ladders - Capt. Arie Palmers

published on 7 April 2022

Marine Pilot Arie Palmers, who works in the Netherlands, will make a presentation on the irregularities found in the embarkation and disembarkation ladders of ships. After suffering two accidents in 2018, Arie became an inspector of the problems and has been an active voice in search of corrections with shipping companies, manufacturers, certifiers and entities that deal with the theme. According to him, the day-to-day practice shows that more than 50% of the means of access to vessels are...

0

Video Sandar Kan Kapal Dipelabuhan Pelindo

published on 25 January 2022

#pelindo #pelabuhan #kapal #pelaut #maritime #rapp #siak #pekanbaru #persatuan

0

Video Cosco Shipping Galaxy breaks away from Felixstowe as showers passes through. 11th October 2020

published on 13 October 2020

The Cosco Shipping Galaxy alongside Felixstowe Berth 9 cargo operations come to an end with the cranes beginning to boom up. Mooring gang in attendance and the tugs begin to go to station. The pilot requests for both to make fast on the centre lead fore and aft. Svitzer Kent makes fast centre lead aft while the Svitzer Sky makes fast centre lead forward. The Sky comes under the bow to pick up the heaving line but the crew slackens the head lines before the last crane had boomed up. Sky...

0

Video Captain Brown, Harbor Pilot (1950)

published on 6 January 2025

The film "Captain Brown Harbor Pilot" depicts the crucial role of harbor pilots in safely navigating large ships into ports, particularly during foggy conditions. It follows Bob, who learns from his Uncle Captain Brown about the various signals, equipment, and safety measures involved in harbor navigation. The film emphasizes the importance of pilots, who are trained to manage the complexities of harbor traffic, communicate with ships, and ensure safe docking. Viewers also see the...

0

Video How to pilot a Ship ? | Maritime Pilot | Episode 1 [Marcel van der Horst]

published on 17 September 2024

In this Episode 1, we are joined by Marcel Van Der Horst, a maritime pilot with over 19 years of experience. Marcel will provide an in-depth overview of why maritime pilots are crucial and share essential pilotage techniques used in harbor operations. This episode is a true masterclass, complete with visual explanations. We’ll cover crucial topics such as: 1️⃣ Why you need a maritime pilot 2️⃣ Understanding different types of maneuvers in the harbor 3️⃣ How a ship is berthed using an anchor...

1

Article Factors affecting maritime pilots' health and well-being: a systematic review

published on 18 June 2021

Study from 2015: Psychological stressors, in addition to the physical demands associated with the role (e.g., reduced sleep, boarding, and departing vessels), may over time have a damaging effect on pilots' physical and mental health.

0

Article Obituary Capt. Andrew Holton Stegen (87) - Crescent River Port Pilots

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 25 October 2020

October 24, 1932 ~ October 22, 2020 (age 87). Member of Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association, serving as a river pilot for 34 years.

0

Article 400m Container ship runs aground off Wangerooge (Germany)

published on 3 February 2022

The container ship "Mumbai Maersk" ran aground off the island of Wangerooge. A first rescue attempt failed.

0