Video

Is this safe? Pilot Boarding with two man ropes (Australia).

published on 29 July 2022 - 1365 -

Show comment section |

Found on YouTube. Created by "jayrassicmark". Originally published on 2022-07-27.

Editor's note:
We are curious about the opinions on this type of boarding.
This is Pilot Boat GENESIS from Australia.

Join the conversation...

Tony Crabbe United Kingdom

on 14 November 2024, 23:20 UTC

I never used the manropes while ascending as it puts too much reliance on arm strength and not enough on leg strength. It also causes you to lean back and lose stability as the width of the rungs prevent you from maintaining stability through a wider gait.
Nevertheless I ued them for descending as they allow for a quicker landing on the pilot boat in a swell and reduce the risk of leg entrapment.
Lastly on ascending there would be four points of securing that might fail. On descent I was able to check each one before stepping out.

I would not accept it being mandated which way it should be done but all choices should be available. Each to his own.

[show more]

Pilot Mackenzie Moseley British Columbia Coast Pilots, Canada

on 8 August 2022, 05:39 UTC

At least they wore helmets….

The boat stayed under them with that railing to fall across and cause catastrophic injuries….

No reason it couldn’t have backed away….

At least they wore foam jackets with inherent buoyancy and some ballistic protection if they fell backwards onto the rail.

Inflatable jackets that aren’t maintained or fail to inflate make me nervous.

Easy ways to be safer….

[show more]

A community member on 8 August 2022, 05:39 UTC

This comment has been removed.

Capt Martin White Port Authority New South Wales, Australia

on 4 August 2022, 22:52 UTC

Well I’ve completed over 7000 transfers using man ropes for boarding and disembarking off Sydney. No right or wrong way.

Captain Andrea Caroli Deep North Sea Pilot, France

on 1 August 2022, 21:35 UTC

2nd time in life I see this (previous was at Richards Bay, circa 1988). Cannot understand the purpose of these ropes either in climbing and descending. Ladder ropes are far safer to grab
, IMHO.

Hugh Ripley Port of Townsville, Australia

on 31 July 2022, 06:33 UTC

It's believe it's a matter of individual preference - I always have them removed for boarding, have them rigged for disembarking. I don't think there is a right or wrong way. Couple of other observations though. Both pilots on deck not clipped on to a traveller - first one does hold onto it though. Ascending a pilot ladder with a backpack on - dangerous. And as for the deckhand - don't know why he bothered to go out on deck - no lifejacket, no safety strop made fast to the traveller and no attempt to check the ladder - very casual.

A community member on 31 July 2022, 06:25 UTC

This comment has been removed.

Howard Bryant United Kingdom

on 30 July 2022, 10:53 UTC

Perfectly safe and used usefully in a heavy swell but not needed under the conditions pictured. The manropes should be taken in; it is dangerous to wear a backpack. Anything to be taken aboard should be hauled up on a heaving line.

Paul Nevins USA

on 29 July 2022, 19:38 UTC

When climbing, keeping the body weight over the feet/vertical for use of the strong leg muscles to propel upward. Hands for the stability vs pullups all the way up. The ropes lean you back & out away from the ship. Your body weight is also on the move out/away. If in weather, makes you more vulnerable to wind/sea.

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

Video Pilot Transfer - New Zealand (Auckland) & Australia (Melbourne/Fremantle)

published on 21 October 2021

Spotted some Pilot Boats in the Port of Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne & Fremantle Australia (Port codes: Auckland:NZ AKL ; Melbourne:AU MEL ; Fremantle:AU FRE).

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

Article Gantry Crane Collision at Kaohsiung Port (Taiwan)

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 3 June 2021

According to media reports from Taiwan, a collision between an OOCL vessel and a Gantry Crane occurred today (03.06.2021).

Article Pilot/Marine Officer

published on 21 November 2022

CentrePort is a major part of New Zealand's supply chain, providing critical infrastructure and transport solutions to the regional and national economy.

Article Gladding-Hearn Delivers Refitted Chesapeake Class Pilot Boat

published on 4 April 2023

The Tampa Bay pilot association has taken delivery of Tampa, a newly refitted Chesapeake Class pilot boat built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in 2003, when the Mass., shipyard introduced the class of mid-size, high-speed launches.

Video North Queensland Bulk Ports Pilots take on the virtual reality of the Shipping Simulator

published on 19 July 2021

Our marine pilots need to be ready for all of the elements of the high seas. Watch the pilots put their their paces in the virtual reality setting of the Queensland Government's SmartShip Simulator.

Article Historical pilot schooner "Elbe No. 5" collied with containership and sank.

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 9 June 2019

This ship is a legend: The pilot schooner "No. 5 Elbe" is the oldest operating seagoing ship in Hamburg. Furthermore, the "white lady" is a real beauty. That's why it's a tragedy what happened on Pentecost Saturday: The two-master collided with a container ship and sank!

Video The Vital Link to Victoria: Inside Port Phillip Sea Pilots

published on 27 February 2026

Port Phillip Sea Pilots are the vital link between Victoria and the world. Ports Australia spent the day with CEO Thorsten Werges at their pilot station in Queenscliff to get a glimpse into the 185-year-old organisation focusing on safety and sustainability.