Article

Shareable Survey "Boarding and Landing Arrangements for Pilots" by Ewan Rattray


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 26 August 2020 234 -

This survey on pilot ladder safety was initiated by Ewan Rattray.
It is supported and recommended by well-known heads of the #dangerousladders Facebook group like Kevin Vallance, Arie Palmers and others.

Ewan was badly injured boarding a vessel as a Pilot in 2018. He is still employed in the ports industry and is particularly passionate regarding pilot safety. With this in mind, he is using his maritime experience and academic skills to conduct much-needed research into the boarding and landing of pilots. The research requires the collection of empirical data for which he is using a survey. The data will be used to analyse the effectiveness of the current legislation - relating to the boarding and landing of pilots - and to identify any failures in the practical and regulatory process. By obtaining professional views, it will help to develop and support a hypothesis, and the findings can be used to form recommendations for improvement.

"The purpose of this survey is to collect data relating to the boarding and landing of pilots. The data will be used to analyse the effectiveness of the current legislation - relating to the boarding and landing of pilots - and to identify any failures in the practical and regulatory process. By obtaining professional views, it will help to form and support a hypothesis, and the empirical data can be used to form recommendations for improvement."

"Owing to the nature of the survey, and the need for verifiable data, the survey should only be completed by persons involved in the boarding and landing of Pilots; For example, Deck Officers, Deck Ratings, Pilots, Harbour Officials, Vessel Managers or Surveyors. The survey focuses on boarding and landing of pilots from a pilot boat only, and not by helicopter."

"The survey is 100% anonymous, and the data will be incredible valuable in the fight against non-complaint boarding arrangements."


Marine-Pilots.com supports this campaign and wants to spread it through the large pilot community.
Please help everyone to gather more data, facts and figures on the safety of pilot ladders.
We hope to publish the results of the survey in the near future.
Please share this article with your fellow pilots and friends via WhatsApp, Facebook, LinkedIn or the Twitter share button.

The more pilots that participate, the more meaningful the results will be!
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

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.

2

Article #DangerousLadders on Facebook

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 10 September 2019

A valuable campaign managed by Chris Young, Kevin Vallance and others, which we found on Facebook .

1

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.

0

Article Help needed: For better visibility of the pilot work

published on 26 November 2025

This is a tribute build to a work life at sea. It is adventure. It is history. And it is modern story of a work life for many people around the world. Vote here!

1

Article Belgium: Shipping Delays Persist as Pilots Continue Pension Protest

published on 13 October 2025

The Professional Association of Maritime and Inland Pilots (Beroepsvereniging van Loodsen – BvL) announced on Thursday that its strike over Belgium’s pension reform will continue throughout the weekend.

1

Article Concept of Reskilling for Automation Collaboration in Maritime Piloting

published on 22 August 2022

Advanced automation has been highlighted as contributory to several accidents involving modern bridge support systems and automation aiding maritime pilots for maneuvering and navigation. This paper argues for reskilling for automation collaboration.

1

Video 18 meter pilot boat built by Hart Marine, with ZF Marine Transmission

published on 28 February 2020

Exclusive Review in Port Phillip, Australia, of 18 meter pilot boat built by Hart Marine, with ZF Marine Transmission.

0

Video World largest and strongest nuclear Icebreaker

published on 6 July 2019

World largest and strongest nuclear Icebreaker

0

Video Loud & Clear COMM while berthing vessels

by Nasir Khan - published on 25 April 2022

A video by Capt. Pilot Nasir Khan, Pakistan
Why loud and clear communication is very important.

1

Video Pilot Boarding

published on 22 January 2021

0