Article

One small step… for maritime safety

published on 7 July 2022 - 86 -

Show comment section |

Text and picture by Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)

The MAIB’s Annual Report published in June highlighted the issue of unsafe pilot ladders, a concern that has been regularly voiced by the industry. In 2021, the branch received almost 200 reports about substandard pilot ladders. Of those, 87% of the ladders were rigged incorrectly (top image) and the remainder were observed by the marine pilot as being materially defective (Figure 1). Fortunately, serious accidents have been rare, but the potential for injury and even loss of life clearly exists.

Read the whole article here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-small-step-for-maritime-safety

What's your opinion on this?

Article Jacobsen Pilot Service and Los Angeles Pilot Station publish notice to all ships

published on 15 August 2020

Jacobsen Pilot Service and Los Angeles Pilot Station published a notice to all ships to inspect pilot ladders before the pilot boards.

Reason is an incident happened at the port of long beach in July 2020. Pilot ladder rope broke while the pilot was on the ladder - luckily the pilot was able to hold on.

Article New Pilot Ladder Magnet Is Switchable

published on 29 June 2021

On the back of the long-standing success of the Yellow-Mag ll Pilot Ladder Magnet worldwide, Serpent & Dove—Applied Magnetics is introducing its patented Yellow-Mag lll Switchable Pilot Ladder Magnet.

Video Pilot Ladder Safety Webinar by The Nautical Institute

published on 12 May 2022

The Nautical Institute (NI) and the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) have been concerned for many years at the needlessly high rate of Pilot Ladder casualties. The NI is continuously reminded of the problem from its Members and through its Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS). The issue features frequently in our publications, and we recently dedicated an edition of our award winning magazine The Navigator to the topic, emphasising the importance of good...

Video Bringing in the giants - Harwich Haven Authority

published on 6 October 2026

Article Port Canaveral to Add New Patrol and Pilot Boats

by MarineLink - published on 30 August 2022

Port Canaveral will add a new security patrol vessel and a pilot boat after receiving federal grant funding for several projects to protect against terrorism and other security threats.

Article Mapping Safe Maritime Pilotage: Understanding Complexity in Maritime Pilotage

by University of York - published on 9 February 2026

University of York: Here, Dr Kate Preston explains why we need to fully understand the complexity maritime pilotage before we can integrate technology like autonomy.

Video San Francisco Shipping, Bar Pilot Transfer

published on 29 November 2021

SF Bar Pilot transfer- offshore pilot station.

Video PilotVessel "ZEYA LP"/ BulkCarrierShip "CYCLADES"/ ZonaComún RioDeLaPlata ARG/ 08.02.2026-07:21

published on 10 February 2026

#PilotVessel "ZEYA LP"/ On board #BulkCarrierShip "CYCLADES" #ZonaComún #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina / 08th. February 2026 - 07:21 LT.- On this video (with original sound), you can watch the Pilot Vessel "ZEYA LP" approaching alonside the Portside of the Vessel, in #ZonaComún #RioDeLaPlata #Argentina , to change Pilots (Embarking Manuever of Rio Paraná Pilots and Disembarking Maneuver of the Rio de la Plata Pilots).- This video was filmed on board the following Vessel: Bulk Carrier Ship...

Opinion Anti-Entrapment Pilot Boat

by Captain Francesco Aiello - Honorary Member Fedepiloti ROMA, Italy - published on 21 April 2020

The entrapment problem of a pilot ladder has not yet been solved and has prompted Captain Francesco Aiello to seek a solution. His very simple idea (patented) has been internationally recognized as innovative.