Article

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

published on 4 July 2023 - 323 -

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“The problem with statistics is that it’s a bummer when it’s you!”

― Arie Palmers, Maritime Pilot

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

Sadly there have been 7 deaths associated with maritime pilot transfer operations already in the first 6 months of 2023.

What are the current international regulations for ships and what are the barriers to reducing the risk? How can individuals, the industry, ports and ship builders make changes to save lives in the future?

Guests:

Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector at Marine Accident Investigation Branch

Arie Palmers, Senior Maritime Pilot working in the Netherlands

Adam Parnell, Director at CHIRP Maritime Charitable Trust

Listen here

What's your opinion on this?

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 1,000 ways to secure a Pilot Ladder

by Arie Palmers, Netherlands - published on 10 January 2020

From that moment on I have been keeping a tally of the non compliant boarding arrangements I see in front of me on a daily base, and off course I participate in the annual safety campaign, conducted by IMPA each october.

Article China wants to change pilot ladder regulations

published on 3 May 2022

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

Article Kiel Canal fully closed after accident

published on 30 November 2022

The Finnish special vessel "Meri" collided with Holtenau High Bridge (Holtenauer Hochbrücke) over the Kiel Canal early on Wednesday morning at around 4.37 am.

Video Time-lapse maneuvering in Turkey

published on 24 November 2022

@Captain Ertan Ozgur, Senior Maritime Pilot

Article Interactive pilot ladder poster by UKMPA

by United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association - published on 14 August 2025

By going trough this poster, you’ll find the regulations accessible by tapping on the various items in this poster.

Video Liverpool Pilot Boat Returning to Liverpool

published on 15 September 2020

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.

Video ABB and Keppel O&M collaborate on autonomous tug with remote operation

published on 22 June 2021

ABB, together with Singaporean shipyard Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), has successfully carried out South Asia’s first remote joystick control of a tugboat in the busy Port of Singapore.
The Port of Singapore, with more than 130,000 vessels calling annually, presents one of the most complex settings for autonomous harbor operations in the world. The trial marks a major milestone in validating the increased safety and efficiency of tug operations utilizing digital solutions already...

Opinion A Brief Comparison of the 2021 and 2022 IMPA Safety Campaigns

by Capt. Uluç Hanhan - published on 20 December 2022

As my colleagues know, IMPA conducts a “safety campaign” in the fall every year. The 2022 safety survey report was released a few days ago. First of all, we would like to thank the pilots who participated in this survey from all over the world.