Ships engaged on voyages in the course of which pilots are likely to be employed shall be provided with pilot transfer arrangements so as to provide safe and convenient access to , and egress from, the ship as required by SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 23 – Pilot Transfer Arrangements and IMO Resolution A889/21 – Pilot Transfer Arrangements.
PILOT LADDERS
When using a pilot ladder requiring a climb of not less than 1.5m and not more than 9m above the surface of the water the ladder shall be so positioned and secured that:
It is clear of any possible discharges from the ship
It is within the parallel body length of the ship and as far as practicable, within the mid ship half length of the ship
Each step rests firmly against the ship’s side.
A single length of ladder capable of reaching the water from the point of access to, or egress from, the ship. in providing for this due allowance shall be made for all conditions of loading and trim of the ship and for an adverse list of 15 degrees.
The European Maritime Pilots’ Association wishes to draw the attention of owners, masters and officers to the requirements of IMO Resolution A889/21 sect. 2 which requires the following:
Pilot Ladders
Position and construction
The securing strongpoints, shackles and securing ropes should be at least as strong as the side ropes specified in 2.2 below.
The steps of the pilot ladders should comply with the following requirements:
1. if made of hardwood, they should be made in one piece, free of knots;
2. if made of material other than hardwood, they should be of equivalent strength, stiffness and durability to the satisfaction of the Administration;
3. the four lowest steps may be of rubber of sufficient strength and stiffness or other material to the satisfaction of the Administration;
4. they should have an efficient non-slip surface;
5. they should be not less than 400 mm between the side ropes, 115 mm wide and 25 mm in depth, excluding any non-slip device or grooving;
6. they should be equally spaced not less than 300 mm or more than 380 mm apart; and
7. they should be secured in such a manner that each will remain horizontal.
No pilot ladder should have more than two replacement steps which are secured in position by a method different from that used in the original construction of the ladder, and any steps so secured should be replaced as soon as reasonably practicable by steps secured in position by the method used in the original construction of the pilot ladder. When any replacement step is secured to the side ropes of the pilot ladder by means of grooves in the sides of the step, such grooves should be in the longer sides of the step.
Pilot ladders with more than five steps should have spreader steps not less than 1.8m long provided at such intervals as will prevent the pilot ladder from twisting. The lowest spreader step should be the fifth step from the bottom of the ladder and the interval between any spreader step and the next should not exceed nine steps.
Ropes
The side ropes of the pilot ladder should consist of two uncovered ropes not less than 18 mm in diameter on each side and should be continuous, with no joins below the top step.
Side ropes should be made of manila or other material of equivalent strength, durability and grip which has been protected against actinic degradation and is satisfactory to the Administration.
Height of Pilot Ladder
EMPA is concerned at the number of instances where the pilot ladder is not rigged at the correct height. This ranges from being too short possibly requiring altering with the attendant delays in boarding, to being too long with steps on the deck of the pilot cutter presenting a hazard to both the pilot and deckhand.
It is recommended that the pilot ladder steps be marked so that the crew can accurately assess the amount of ladder lowered.
A table should be made up that by inspection can provide the correct step to position at deck/bulwark level for a given freeboard and requested pilot ladder height of 0.5m, 1.0m, 1.5m and 2.0m
See IMO/IMPA Poster ‘Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilot’.