Video

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


published on 29 July 2022 1365 -

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...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
TC
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]
0

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]
0

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.
0

Captain Andrea Caroli Deep North Sea Pilot, Italy
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.
0

HR
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.
0

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

This comment has been removed.

HB
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.
0

PN
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.
1

Read more...

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.

0

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).

0

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Article Rope snapped: Marine Pilot accident in Durban, South Africa.

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 29 April 2020

A 35-year-old male sea pilot of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) fell into the sea from a crude oil tanker near the N Shed Wharf in the port of Durban. A rope of the pilot ladder is said to have snapped for an undetermined reason when the man disembarked while leaving the crude oil tanker which was leaving the port of Durban.

0

Video 30 Days Timelapse at Sea | 4K | Through Thunderstorms, Torrential Rain & Busy Traffic

published on 6 July 2019

Follow my adventures on Instagram! http://instagram.com/Jeffrey.hk
30 Days of Timelapse, about 80,000 photos combined. 1500GB of Project files. Sailing in the open ocean is a unique feeling and experience.I hope to capture and share it for everyone to see.
Route was from Red Sea -- Gulf of Aden -- Indian Ocean -- Colombo -- Malacca Strait -- Singapore -- South East China Sea -- Hong Kong

1

Article London Pilots issue Quick Reference Guide for PTA’s

by Port of London Authority - published on 9 September 2024

London Pilots (PLA) have issued an excellent quick reference guide for Pilot Transfer arrangements, which can be used for pilots as well as ship’s crews. Please take not of this document and if you can, try to incorporate it into your procedures.

1

Video Baltic Workboats PILOT 17 WP "Shipeku"

published on 7 June 2023

Baltic Workboats latest state of the art pilot boat recently delivered to the Laurentian Pilots in Canada.
More info on the vessel can be found here:
https://balticworkboatsus.com/vessel/pilot-1700-wp/

0

Video Pilot Boat Ka Amazing Kaam Dekho at Mumbai Port

published on 29 July 2026

Inside Mumbai Port 🚢 | Pilot Boat Ka Amazing Kaam Dekho! _________ please share and subscribe to my channel 🙏🙏 _________ Is video me hum Mumbai Harbour ki Pilot Boat ko close se dekhte hain aur jaante hain ki ye bade cargo ships aur cruise ships ko port ke andar safely guide karne ka kaam kaise karti hai. Agar aapko ships, ports, travel aur unique places explore karna pasand hai, to video ko end tak zaroor dekhiye. 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe #MumbaiHarbour #PilotBoat #MumbaiPort...

0

Video Maritime Voices: Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots

published on 10 October 2025

Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots, discusses the organization in the round, explaining how the Houston operation remains one of three in the country that still utilizes station boat.

0

Article Houston Pilots Practice Part Art, Part Science in Guiding Ships to Port

published on 11 November 2020

Maritime pilots trace the roots of their profession back to the ancient Greeks and Romans when incoming ship captains employed experienced local fisherman to guide their merchant vessels safely into port. It’s a legacy of skill, strength, and sharp wits, and our Houston Pilots (“Pilots”) have been meeting vessels at Galveston’s bar to carry on these proud traditions for just shy of 100 years.

2