The European Maritime Pilots’ Association wishes to draw the attention of owners, masters and officers of large vessels with freeboard in excess of 9 metres to the following requirements of SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 23 sect 3.2 which states:
In all ships where the distance from sea level to the point of access to, or egress from, the ship exceeds 9m, and when it is intended to embark and disembark Pilots by means of the accommodation ladder, or by means of mechanical pilot hoists or other equally safe and convenient means in conjunction with a pilot ladder, the ship shall carry such equipment on each side, unless the equipment is capable of being transferred for use on either side.
When it is intended to embark or disembark a Pilot by means of the accommodation ladder used in conjunction with a conventional pilot ladder attention is drawn to SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 23 sect 3.3.3 which states:
The accommodation ladder shall be sited leading aft. When in use, the lower end of the accommodation ladders shall rest firmly against the ship’s side within the parallel body length of the ship and, as far as practicable, within the mid-ship half length and clear of all discharges.
The European Maritime Pilots’ Association wishes to draw the attention of owners, masters and officers of large vessels with freeboard in excess of 9 metres to the following requirements of IMO Resolution A 889/21 – Pilot Transfer Arrangements sect. 3 - Accommodation ladders used in conjunction with pilot ladders which states:
3 Accommodation ladders used in conjunction with pilot ladders
3.1 Arrangements which may be more suitable for special types of ships may be accepted, provided that they are equally safe.
3.2 The length of the accommodation ladder should be sufficient to ensure that its angle of slope does not exceed 55°.
3.3 The lower platform of the accommodation ladder should be in a horizontal position when in use.
3.4 Intermediate platforms, if fitted, should be self-leveling. Treads and steps of the accommodation ladder should be so designed that an adequate and safe foothold is given at the operative angles.
3.5 The ladder and platform should be equipped on both sides with stanchions and rigid handrails, but if handropes are used they should be tight and properly secured. The vertical space between the handrail or handrope and the stringers of the ladder should be securely fenced.
3.6 The pilot ladder should be rigged immediately adjacent to the lower platform of the accommodation ladder and the upper end should extend at least 2 m above the lower platform.
3.7 If a trapdoor is fitted in the lower platform to allow access from and to the pilot ladder, the aperture should not be less than 750 mm x 750 mm. In this case the after part of the lower platform should also be fenced as specified in paragraph 3.5 above, and the pilot ladder should extend above the lower platform to the height of the handrail.
3.8 Accommodation ladders, together with any suspension arrangements or attachments fitted and intended for use in accordance with this recommendation, should be to the satisfaction of the Administration.
See IMO/IMPA Poster ‘Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilots’.