Article

China wants to change pilot ladder regulations

published on 3 May 2022 - 1878 -

Show comment section |

Despite the current regulations describing the different types of pilotage transfers, there are still many non-compliant pilotage transfers today.

China has already submitted proposals to the IMO regarding changes to SOLAS, Chapter 23, and IMO A.1045(27) in early 2021.

At both MSC104 and MSC105 (which ended last week) there was no time to address this important issue. At MSC105, the intention was expressed to discuss this issue at the upcoming MSC106.

The attached PDF shows the proposal submitted by China to improve safety when transferring via pilot ladders.
The paper also discusses the so-called trapdoor arragements.

On LinkedIn these days, the internationally respected safety expert on pilot ladders, Capt. Arie Palmers assessed the submitted proposals as follows:
"Indeed it is better to take enough time to discuss this important and urgent matter. Not just the footnotes in SOLAS chV reg.23 and IMO A.1045(27) need to be amended; there is a lot more to change as you might know. Indeed a very good paper forwarded by China last year."

Click to download PDF

Download: Chinas proposals to the IMO (PDF)

What's your opinion on this?

Article Podcast: Maritime Pilot Safety and reducing the risk in pilot transfer operations

published on 4 July 2023

This is an in-depth discussion of the risks involved in maritime pilot transfers; an interesting job but with a risky commute to work.

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.

Article Murphy's law on pilot boarding - Arie Palmers

by Arie Palmers - published on 20 July 2021

"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."

Video Pilot Boat Waimea II, Port Nelson, New Zealand

published on 22 November 2021

Pilot Boarding on PCC Vessel

Video Boarding a ship Pilot San Francisco Bay

published on 31 August 2021

Here we board the container ship President Kennedy, inbound for the San Francisco Bay.
More content on Instagram @sea_weathered
https://instagram.com/sea_weathered?utm_medium=copy_link

Video Pilot boarding via Helicopter

published on 14 April 2021

Video Video of Training - Arrangements of embarkation and disembarkation of Practical

published on 6 September 2020

Summary: Important lessons, that they can assist the Practical one, in the best possible way, in the transfer operations.
Found on YouTube. Created by "Praticagem do Brasil".
This video was elaborated by the National Council of Praticagem with the objective of reminding to the masters and sailors, some important lessons, so that they can assist the Practical one, in the best possible way, in the transfer operations.

Video Pilot Boarding Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne, Australia

published on 24 September 2020

Editors Note: Unfortunately this YouTube video - although publicly available - was not authorised by the responsible official bodies. Out of respect for the local organisation, we have decided to stop showing the video link to YouTube here. We ask for your understanding!
Join us as we take a pilot 5 miles out to sea to meet a huge 80,000 ton oil tanker arriving outside Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne, Australia!