Joris J. Stuip has written on Facebook in the #dangerousladders group yesterday:
"Why do we see so many unapproved and low-quality pilot ladders?
The answer is invariably price. OK, we all like a bargain, but what is the real cost?
Every product has it’s price tag, and other than enhanced brand value, which is totally irrelevant to pilot/embarkation (rope) ladders, how the product is manufactured and the materials dictates its cost.
The facts are that the specification for MED ladders is clearly stated, and managed by Classification Societies. As a serious established manufacturer and supplier PTR Holland Group totally comply with the required standards. It is, therefore, very frustrating that at times we find that we lose-out on price when being compared with what are clearly substandard ladders.
We at PTR Holland Group give our undertaking that we will definitely not be tempted to “cut corners” and risk compromising safety. We would like to request the support of the other stakeholders, and principally the shipmanagers and their appointed shipchandlers.
We know only too well that shipchandlers, who are under pressure to achieve “best price”, can be bullied into the substandard arena – this is certainly not all chandlers; some will definitely not be tempted, even if the result is the loss of an order. In this context we request the good offices of the shipmanager, to enable professional chandlers to operate in a responsible manner.
At PTR Holland Group we don’t just sell, but assist our clients to procure the right products – we would be pleased to help YOU………"
"Why do we see so many unapproved and low-quality pilot ladders?
The answer is invariably price. OK, we all like a bargain, but what is the real cost?
Every product has it’s price tag, and other than enhanced brand value, which is totally irrelevant to pilot/embarkation (rope) ladders, how the product is manufactured and the materials dictates its cost.
The facts are that the specification for MED ladders is clearly stated, and managed by Classification Societies. As a serious established manufacturer and supplier PTR Holland Group totally comply with the required standards. It is, therefore, very frustrating that at times we find that we lose-out on price when being compared with what are clearly substandard ladders.
We at PTR Holland Group give our undertaking that we will definitely not be tempted to “cut corners” and risk compromising safety. We would like to request the support of the other stakeholders, and principally the shipmanagers and their appointed shipchandlers.
We know only too well that shipchandlers, who are under pressure to achieve “best price”, can be bullied into the substandard arena – this is certainly not all chandlers; some will definitely not be tempted, even if the result is the loss of an order. In this context we request the good offices of the shipmanager, to enable professional chandlers to operate in a responsible manner.
At PTR Holland Group we don’t just sell, but assist our clients to procure the right products – we would be pleased to help YOU………"
Joris J. Stuip, PTR Holland
Joris J. Stuip, PTR Holland
Frank Diegel
Frank Diegel
Editors note by Frank Diegel, CEO & Founder Marine-Pilots.com
Mr. Stuip is right: a security product that is subject to many regulations, laws and requirements has its price.With every dollar that the product costs less, the risk increases that the product does not comply with the applicable rules and does not provide the safety it should.
Some companies make profits at the expense of safety, especially for pilots when it comes to pilot ladders. Every pilot has already experienced that a new pilot ladder (still originally packed for protection in the store below deck) is quickly installed as soon as a pilot rejects the old and dangerous ladder on the ship and does not operate the ship.
