Rigging Pilot ladders - Caribbean Jetty Operations

Take a look at the first UK 'hybrid' pilot boat built in the UK by Goodchild Marine for the Port of London Authority. Video from 2019.

Wind was blowing strong from the NE and the waves were becoming bigger and bigger by the time we reach a new client.
Crew didn't consider the rolling effect about to happen while changing heading in order to give lee when they prepared pilot ladder, so the requested 1.5m above the water was not that good.
I decided to abort and to give the vessel the chance to shorten it. In the next attempt they did it right and I was able to board safe

According to information from Simon Pelletier, President of IMPA, it was resolved at the IMO Maritime Safety Committee 106 on 08.11.2022 to open up the SOLAS Convention for amendment in respect of pilot boarding arrangements.

A 1,000 Navy Vessels around... Quite often those vessels have the tendency of presenting themselves with a pilot transfer arrangement which is non-compliant.

A man in his own element. Meet Pilot Fabio Fontes, the oldest maritime pilot in activity at 84.

Pilot boat
#Sealife #Seaman

Footage from faraway countries shows a reality that is incompatible with safety standards set by IMPA, EMPA and other organisations. There is still much to be done to protect the lives of all pilots worldwide.

Handed over to leading global towage operator Svitzer in August 2023, Svitzer Marlin is the first example of Dongara Marine’s 17.2 metre Berkeley Class pilot boat, a smaller variant of the already successful 19.2 metre Berkeley Class vessels. In addition to being the first 17.2 metre Berkeley Class contracted, the all-aluminium vessel is differentiated by using the Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS). With a total installed power of just over 900kW (1200hp), the Svitzer pilot boat...

The IMPA Safety Campaign will take place from 16th to 30th May 2025. We encourage all maritime pilots to take part, as your contribution is essential to the success of the campaign!