Opinion

Pilot ladders: Compliance by design, failure by operator

by Herman Broers - published on 10 March 2022 - 359 -

Show comment section |

Text and photos by Herman Broers (Author) and pilotladdersafety.com

It is not often that this blog is used to show bad practice, however in this case some pictures tell a whole story. Ship is compliant by design for rigging a combination. How about the operator(s)?

he recessed supporting points are not used for securing the ladder at 1,5 meters above the combination platform.
The securing point for the platform itself is not properly used.
To solve the problem, a makeshift device is used to attach the pilot ladder to the platform. That is not required / compliant. This solution is not working anyway, as can be seen in the attached pictures.

That is three failures in one go. The fact that a makeshift solution has been made shows that the ship’s management from top to bottom is unaware of the proper rigging of the combination ladder.

There is only one solution: Training! ( and maybe a little TLC for the crooked pilot ladder )

Have a safe day.
Herman Broers

www.pilotladdersafety.com

Editor's note:
Opinion pieces reflect the personal opinion of individual authors. They do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about a prevailing opinion in the respective editorial department. Opinion pieces might be deliberately formulated in a pronounced or even explicit tone and may contain biased arguments. They might be intended to polarise and stimulate discussion. In this, they deliberately differ from the factual articles you typically find on this platform, written to present facts and opinions in as balanced a manner as possible.

Author: Herman Broers Member

Unlimited License Maritime Pilot, Port of Rotterdam. Pilot ladder safety, active marine pilot - Loodswezen Rotterdam - Rijnmond

Maritime Pilot in port of Rotterdam, Author of www.pilotladdersafety.com

Visit member profile

What's your opinion on this?

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

Video Polaris Pilot Boat Antwerp Belgium

published on 15 March 2022

Vessel name: Polaris ; Year built: 2012 ; Flag: Netherlands ; Homeport: Rotterdam Length: 81.2m X 13.3m ; GRT: 2501 ; Callsign: PBZN ; MMSI:245142000 ; IMO: 9496915 Type: Special Vessel / Pilot Ship A "Pilot Ship / Pilot Vessel" is a "special type" of ship in which it accommodates a certain and limited Marine Pilots (Sea, River, Harbor Pilots), it also carries small boats/crafts that are used to tender services to and from the Pilot ship. In a Pilot Vessel, the Pilots can take their time...

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

Video P21 pilots4 0

published on 26 February 2021

Video de presentación del proyecto Pilots4.0 para la iniciativa Ports4.0. Proyecto P21-Pilots4.0

Article NAUTITEC Shiphandling Simulator and Training Centre, Germany

published on 9 February 2021

NAUTITEC as a maritime simulation and training centre offers various services for shipping companies, port authorities, captains and for pilots and tug crews.

Video GoPro Sticker Tips: Time-lapse vessel videos with telemetry data widgets

by River Pilot Kris De Decker - published on 29 September 2021

Tips by Captain Kris.
kris@mes.de
krisdedecker

Video SWATH vs. Mono Hull

published on 21 December 2019

Challenge between SWATH tender "DÖSE" and two 30m mono hull vessels in 2013.

Video Ex chief pilot of Bremerhaven harbor pilots on 400 meter ships (German with subtitles)

published on 1 February 2023

Matthias Meyer was head of the Bremerhaven port pilots, nautical expert and lecturer at maritime schools. In front of our camera, he voices what has long been a topic of discussion in shipping circles: that the 400-meter container ships have simply become too big for the narrow shipping channels of the Weser and Elbe. In his view, a serious accident is only a matter of time. We take a look at how the district is dealing with these giants and what politicians, BUND and shipowners have to say...

Article 3DPortGuard Docking Aid

published on 24 August 2021

Australian technology provider Frontier Automation has released a new vessel tracking system that can be used as a docking aid tool by pilots. As for all Frontier Automation control systems, it uses 3D machine vision to automatically detect and track in real time shipping vessels within range of a berth by providing information on critical distances to mooring infrastructure, on vessel speed and angle, and on vessel movement directions and orientations.

Video Meet Jon, Marine Pilot at Port Authority of NSW

published on 18 December 2023

Port Authority of New South Wales manages the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial shipping in Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle Harbour, Port Kembla, Eden and Yamba.