Introduction to Pilotage

Pilot transfer arrangement is a sensitive topic to be discussed among the pilot’s fraternity. Although ships are designed and operated with compliance to the SOLAS requirements in all respects including the pilot transfer arrangements, there has been numerous deficiencies observed related to pilot transfer arrangements. The small deficiencies from the part of ships cause life threatening accidents for pilots and sometimes to the ship staff themselves. There are many instances of defective ladder and complacency in proper rigging of ladders has been reported almost every day in different parts of the world. Many pilots lost their life, severely injured for life and face many minor to major accidents. The latest incident being the Capt. Timothy Murray of Sandy hooks Pilot.

It is not often that this blog is used to show bad practice, however in this case some pictures tell a whole story. Ship is compliant by design for rigging a combination. How about the operator(s)?

Another video by Knud Benedict: This movie reveals some practical insight into regions of course stable / unstable conditions under wind. And I dare to say you can get some insight into other stability types and analogies, too!

The vulnerability of GNSS in shore-based use is definitely different and to be regarded as much more risky than on the high seas.

Maritime Education

From this "tender" the bring pilots to Big vessels with a small boat. You see this small boats on the deck. AIS Name LOODSBOOT 7 PILOT Type Pilot tender FleetMon Pilot tender Icon Flag Belgium Flag of Belgium IMO 8424927 MMSI 205110000 Callsign ORBG Year Built 1978 Length 51 m Width 9 m Draught 3.6 m / 1.3 m / 13.6 m Avg/Min/Max Speed 9.3 kn / 17.4 kn Avg/Max

Captain Kevin Vallance awarded the Merchant Navy Medal for services to Maritime Safety.

IMPA has just released the results of the annual IMPA safety campaign, please have a look at the document. This year the non-compliances worldwide vary from 5% up to 70%....You can check your working area in the attachment.

The Port of Waterford is to invest almost €1m in a new pilot boat to be named Port Láirge, which as Irish for Waterford is a name long associated with a steam-powered dredger that served Waterford for more than 70 years until the 1980s.

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