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RECOMMENDATIONS ON MINIMUM DEMANDS FOR LIFE-SAVING AND RECOVERING EQUIPMENT IN PILOT BOATS

INTRODUCTION
A pilot boat are usually manned by 2 adult persons, namely a coxswain, and a deck hand, but in some sheltered areas by a coxswain only. The owners/managers of the pilot boat should be satisfied as to the competence and fitness for duty of these persons.

ACKNOWLEDGING
Pilot boats need to be designed and constructed to enable the safe boarding and landing of Pilots to take place while protecting the safety of personnel working on the open deck.

CONSIDERING
That when any person accidentally falls into the water with all their working equipment, they may experience a greatly reduced capacity of movement due to, but not limited to, increase in weight, ambient water temperature and weather conditions or shock.

NOTING
EMPA recommends that pilot boats should be provided with the following life saving equipment:

  1. Strong working deck lights fitted fore and aft, and a search-light which is permanently mounted so as to be capable of illuminating the ships side in way of the pilot ladder or the sea area around the boat. Side decks should be adequately illuminated
  2. Quick-release lifebuoys with floating light/smoke signals, or appropriate system to help locate the overboard casualty .
  3. At least a buoyant lifeline secured to the boat and linked to a U shaped lifebuoy permitting to round the man overboard.
  4. Efficient mechanical means for the retrieval of any person who falls overboard and the means to bring the person in the water to the retrieval point. Where practicable, the arrangement should enable the person to be retrieved in the horizontal position, in order to reduce the risk of heart failure associated with hypothermia. The quality of materials, design and workmanship of construction of the mechanical means of retrieval should ensure that it can be rapidly deployed and will operate efficiently in an emergency. The efficiency of the equipment should be ensured by regular maintenance and testing.
  5. A drop-down permanent stern platform or other permanent arrangement suitable to enable a crewmember to recover an unconscious man overboard.
  6. Transom steps and/or ladder or equivalent overside boarding ladder or scrambling net which extends at least 600mm below the waterline, or other means to aid the recovery of an unconscious person from the water.
    The retrieval from the side should be recommended.
  7. In addition to the medical equipment required by the Administration a compact stretcher should be carried when possible.
  8. In addition, pilots and crew members should wear proper flotation aids.
  9. The owners/managers of the pilot boat should require man overboard retrieval exercises to be frequently conducted by each pilot boat crew at least every 6 months.

Rev 12/05

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