Preparing a Pilot Ladder by vessels crew

Most pilot embarkations and disembarkations around the world, are still carried out using a traditional pilot ladder, consisting of wooden steps supported and secured by side ropes.

Tuesday, October 1st is the start date of the latest International Maritime Pilot Association's annual Safety Campaign.

Previous campaigns by the association have consistently shown results of pilot ladder deficiencies around the 20% mark.

There are many things in both our everyday and professional lives which we take for granted and never question the origins of, an example of this might be the IMPA recommended ‘pilot mark or pilot line’, which is sometimes seen on the side of vessels indicating where a vessels freeboard exceeds 9 metres.

Editor's note: The pilot boarding seems a bit improvised and unsafe to me, but that's certainly business as usual, isn't it?

A routine station watch turns surreal as a massive container ship slowly emerges from dense fog. We board the pilot, complete the transfer, and watch the vessel disappear back into the mist.

The hazards of Pilot boarding
Throughout 2016, the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) held a safety campaign focused upon the standard of pilot ladders and associated equipment. CHIRP supported this campaign and received many reports on the subject.
This first report describes issues concerning pilot access near
the non-parallel ends of a ship, and use of a retractable platform.

Join me as I take a ride along with the St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association. We are going offshore in Panama City to bring back 2 Pilots and two coastguardsmen from a ship leaving port. It's awesome to watch the skill and teamwork it takes to safely transport Pilots and other personnel on and off these large ships. Special Thanks St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association Captain Zach Condon, Chairman Captain Phillip Brady III US Coast Guard ATON Team Chief Tom Ball Petty Officer Brendon Blackwell...

In this Episode 1, we are joined by Marcel Van Der Horst, a maritime pilot with over 19 years of experience. Marcel will provide an in-depth overview of why maritime pilots are crucial and share essential pilotage techniques used in harbor operations. This episode is a true masterclass, complete with visual explanations. We’ll cover crucial topics such as: 1️⃣ Why you need a maritime pilot 2️⃣ Understanding different types of maneuvers in the harbor 3️⃣ How a ship is berthed using an anchor...