The attention of designers, builders, owners and operators is drawn to the following requirements of the IMPA relative to the fitting of side ports for the purpose of embarking or disembarking pilots in compliance with SOLAS Chapter V, regulation 23.
1. The side port shall be sited so that a pilot ladder can be secured in a position so that the ladder complies with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter V regulation 23 sect 3.3
2. Shipside doors used for pilot transfer shall not open outwards and be sited so that a pilot launch can safely and freely manoeuvre alongside of the hull clear of any flare, curvature, projection or other feature which may act as an obstruction under all conditions of load or trim of the ship and with an adverse list of 15 degrees.
3. The bottom of the side port opening shall be of sufficient height above sea level to provide safe access to and from the vessel in accordance with the practice at the vessel’s ports of call.
4. The opening of the side port shall be not less than 2.00 metres in height or less than 1.50 metres in width. When side ports are retrofitted, these dimensions may be varied slightly to conform to the space between the vessel’s principal strength members.
5. Provision shall be made at the side port for the proper rigging of the pilot ladder by securing 2 shackles fixed to the deck (and not above the door) and for fitting of stanchions or handholds rigidly secured to the ships structure at or near their bases on each side of the ladder. Means shall also be provided for the use of all ancillary equipments required by SOLAS Chapter V, regulation 23.
IMPA/EMPA joint Technical Committee
Approved by the 17th AGM of EMPA in Marseilles, May 11th, 1979