Maritime News

Marine Inspectors from Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (NCR) discovered counterfeit pilot ladders during a Port State Control Examination at the Port of Baltimore. The identification plate on the ladder (Figure 1) contained several errors, including referencing ISO 779-1 instead of the correct standard, ISO 799-1, and lacking the ISO 799-1 designation type. Additionally, while the serial number on the ladder matched the accompanying certificate, the number of steps and the length of the ladder did not align with the specifications listed on the certificate

This marine notice aims to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off vessels.

RightShip presents four different case studies to highlight an alarming trend has emerged from incident & inspection data over the last two years with regards to ladders and pilot transfer arrangements.

Since November 2017 several pilots’ lives were placed at risk, in multiple separate incidents where a man rope parted, or its securing point failed. Additionally, AMSA receives several incidents reports on safety issues related to pilot transfer arrangements.

This Information Notice provides guidance on pilot boarding arrangements, in order to comply with the provisions of Regulation 23 of Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS Chapter V).