Article

USCG Safety Alert on Handhold Stanchions


published on 14 February 2023 282 -

This Safety Alert addresses the importance of verifying the correct arrangement of handholds in embarkation gate arrangements aboard merchant vessels. The Coast Guard is currently investigating a casualty involving a fall from a pilot ladder where the handholds in the gate arrangement aboard the vessel terminated without being rigidly secured to the vessel’s structure. This termination left a gap in the handholds at the transition point at the head of the pilot ladder, where an embarking person might reach to pull themselves onto the vessel.

The Coast Guard observed that the abrupt termination of the handholds above the vessel structure appeared to be a modification that was completed to accommodate the length of the pilot ladder spreader during deployment and retrieval of the pilot ladder. The modification made it possible to retrieve the pilot ladder without having to lift the spreader up and over the vessel’s railings.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Product Pirates risk the lives of Marine Pilots!

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 17 December 2019

PTR Holland® are aware that certain parties have copied and supply, low-quality imitations of our rope ladders through several ship-chandlers in Rotterdam, Houston, Greece and in Turkey.

0

Opinion Ships Pilot Elevator System

published on 27 July 2020

It is frequently a Maritime requirement for a ship to employ and have onboard, a Ships Pilot when entering port. His/ her presence will greatly enhance the safe docking of a vessel into port, harbor or to an anchorage.

0

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.

1

Article Fall overboard during pilot transfer, Moreton Bay, Queensland, on 2 July 2025

published on 19 September 2025

Occurrence Brief from the ATSB (Australia)

0

Article Updated Marine Safety Information by U.S. Coast Guard

published on 6 November 2020

U.S. Coastgard has published an update of their Recommendation for Pilot Transfer Arrangements in latest Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB).

"Recent deaths of maritime pilots while embarking commercial vessels highlight the risks of operating in an
unforgiving maritime environment. To ensure the safety of all personnel boarding a vessel at sea, the Coast
Guard reminds vessel owners and operators of the requirements contained in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V, Regulation 23 and strongly recommends that owners and operators follow the recommendations within IMO Resolution A.1045(27) – Pilot Transfer Arrangements. "

0

Article A Collision that Should Not Have Happened

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 10 April 2025

Based on MAIB Safety Digest 1/2025, Case 12, published April 2025 by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

2

Video A P&I perspective on incidents during pilot passage

published on 18 February 2022

November 2022 | Manila, Philippines CREWCONNECT GLOBAL CONFERENCE At the Heart of Global Crewing. At the Heart of the Debate. The industry's most relevant event, connecting the global crewing community to inform and inspire change in recruitment & retention, training & safety at sea, and mental health & well-being. Learn more: https://informaconnect.com/crew-connect-global/

0

Article Sandy Hook Pilot Timothy M. Murray lost his life while boarding a ship (08/05/2020)

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 6 August 2020

On August 5, 2020 at approximately 10:30 pm, Sandy Hook Pilot Captain Timothy M. Murray was involved in an incident while boarding a tanker vessel inbound to the Port of New York & New Jersey. He sustained injuries after falling from a pilot ladder and was evacuated to a local hospital where his injuries proved to be fatal.

1

Video iTalk by Ms Reshma Nilofer, Sector Pilotage Services

published on 25 August 2020

iTalk conducted by IME(I) Mumbai Branch. The speaker was Ms Reshma Nilofer, Sector Pilotage Services

0

Article Summer Edition of the BPC Pilotage Quarterly published

published on 15 August 2022

The Summer Edition of the Board of Pilotage Commissioners has published the latest edition of their quarterly report "The BPC Pilotage Quarterly"

1