The European Maritime Pilots’ Association, at their Annual General Meeting held in Italy on May 18th 1972, expressed grave concern at the continuing number of Pilots whose lives have been placed in jeopardy or who had suffered injury as a result of faulty operation of, or badly designed, pilot hoists.
The European Maritime Pilots’ Association is agreed that the answer to the safe embarkation of Pilots involving long ascents or descents is as follows, in order of priority:
1. Fitting of adequate ship’s side doors, opening inwards.
2. Approved accommodation ladders capable of being retained against the ship’s side and used in conjunction with approved pilot ladders.
3. Helicopter where Pilots agree to the utilization of such service and to ships with adequate facilities for such operations.
4. Pilot lifts which have been approved internationally subsequent to consultation with Pilots on their design and operation.
Notwithstanding the above, Pilots of the European Maritime Pilots’ Association may use pilot hoists where the design and operation of such hoists and their ancillary equipment conforms with the following SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 23 Sect. 6 Mechanical Hoists and also IMO Resolution A889/21 – Pilot Transfer Arrangements Sect. 4 Mechanical Pilot Hoists.