SAFETYC AMPAIGN

2018
 OUR MISSION

CONTENTS IMPA represents the international community of

pilots. We use the resources of our membership to
promote effective safety outcomes in pilotage as an
2 Beliefs essential public service.

3 Foreword BELIEFS
1 The public interest is best served by a fully
4 Participants regulated and cohesive pilotage service free of
commercial pressure.
5 Vessel Type 2 There is no substitute for the presence of a
qualified pilot on the bridge.
6 Compliance by
3 IMO is the prime authority in matters
Means of Transfer concerning safety of international shipping.

4 All states should adopt a responsible

7-9 Non-Compliance approach based on proven safety strategies in
by Type of Defect establishing their own regulations, standards
and procedures with respect to pilotage.

10 Required Boarding 5 Existing and emerging information

technologies are capable of enhancing
Arrangements for
on-board decision making by the maritime
Pilot pilot.

11 IMPA Officers
and Secretariat
Right and below: Compounding the danger to
Pilots of non-SOLAS compliant Boarding
Arrangements, is the efforts of some
Administrations to force Pilots to use Elderly or
Unsuitable vessels (like Tugs) to executive transfers.
These two examples are both from Europe.

2 I N T E R N A T I O N A L M A R I T I M E P I L O T S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N
 P I L OT L A D D E R S A F E T Y S U RV E Y 2 0 1 8
FOREWORD
Results this year suggest that there is a small
improvement in the level of compliance, yet still
one in eight pilot transfer arrangements fail to
comply.
It is most welcoming that since last year many
maritime stakeholders have referred to the
IMPA pilot ladder safety report. Yet still
so many stakeholders act as if SOLAS
V/23 is optional or aspirational, rather
than an internationally accepted standard.
All maritime stakeholders need to stand up
and take what action they can to improve
pilot transfer safety.
Class Societies should ensure that when
signing off boarding arrangements for
vessels, that their primary consideration
is safety rather than commercial
expedience. Indeed, some societies have
realised of late that their own surveyors
use Pilot Ladders and suffer like Pilots
from inadequate arrangements. Port
and flag state inspectors should
ensure their inspectors are familiar
with SOLAS V/23 requirements and
prepared to enforce their requirements.
Shipowners’ superintendents should
ensure that the equipment purchased
actually meets requirements rather
than simply rely on often fake certificates. Sadly,
it is amongst some of the most respected of ship
operators that we have found the most obvious
non-compliant arrangements.
It should not be assumed however that all
accidents are a result of non-compliance with
SOLAS V/23. This is not the case, there are many
other contributory factors. This last year there
have been deaths in Portugal and Finland due to
pilot boat issues which are not covered by SOLAS
regulations. It is a sad fact that many major
maritime administrations pay scant regard to
the suitability of the craft that they employ
to provide pilot transfer services. Once
again cost rather than safety is the driver of
some administrations providing unsuitable
craft. Adoption of suitable codes for craft
engaged in pilot transfers would help
ensure they are fit for purpose.
The most perilous part of a vessel’s
voyage is in pilotage waters, which is why
pilots are engaged. For pilots the most
perilous part of their day is embarking
and disembarking the vessel, which
is why SOLAS V/23 is required. Your
compliance, consideration and action
are essential.
S A F E T Y C A M P A I G N 2 0 1 8 3
 PA RT I C I PA N T S

The chart below shows 4,339 returns from participating IMPA members which have been grouped into 6 geographical areas.
The total non-compliance is shown as a percentage of total returns from each region and and as a total.

NON Right: Picture by

TOTAL NON
COUNTRY
RETURNS
COMPLIANT
COMPLIANT
COMPLIANT Rodge Musselwhite
AS %

Africa 100 81 19 19.00

Asia / Oceania 810 687 123 15.19
Europe 1679 1442 237 14.12
Middle East 79 71 8 10.13
North America 371 297 74 19.95
South America 1300 1191 109 8.38
TOTAL 4339 3769 570 13.14

COMPLIANCE BY REGION

Africa 81 19

Asia / Oceania 687 123

Europe 1442 237

Middle East 71 8

North America 297 74

South America 1191 109

Compliant Non-Compliant

4 I N T E R N A T I O N A L M A R I T I M E P I L O T S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N
 VESSEL TYPE

The following chart shows a break down of all returns by vessel type. Both the number and the percentage of non-compliant vessels by type
are shown.

TOTAL NON Right: Picture by

NON
VESSEL TYPE NUMBER OF COMPLIANT
COMPLIANT
COMPLIANT Rodge Musselwhite
VESSELS AS %

General Cargo 621 519 102 16.43

Oil Tanker 712 628 84 11.8
Ro/Ro 162 148 14 8.64
Passenger 233 208 25 10.73
Container 946 830 116 12.26
Gas Tanker 165 154 11 6.67
Reefer 22 18 4 18.18
Fishing 13 8 5 38.46
Bulkcarrier 603 503 100 16.58
Chemical Tanker 308 267 41 13.31
Car Carrier 106 95 11 10.38
Rig Supply Vessel 115 97 18 15.65
Other (E.G. Navy) 400 352 48 12

COMPLIANCE BY VESSEL TYPE

General Cargo

Oil Tanker

Ro/Ro

Passenger

Container

Gas Tanker

Reefer

Fishing

Bulkcarrier

Chemical Tanker

Car Carrier

Rig Supply Vessel

Other (E.G. Navy)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Compliant Non-Compliant

S A F E T Y C A M P A I G N 2 0 1 8 5
 COMPLIANCE BY
MEANS OF TRANSFER

The following chart shows a breakdown of all returns by means of transfer. Both the number and the percentage of non-compliant means of
transfer by type are shown.

NON
MEANS OF TOTAL NON
COMPLIANT COMPLIANT
TRANSFER NUMBER COMPLIANT
AS %

Pilot Ladder 2729 2397 332 12.17

Combination 956 805 151 15.79
Side Door and 455 396 59 12.97
Pilot Ladder
Gangway 82 76 6 7.32
Helicopter 45 42 3 6.67
Deck to Deck 164 136 28 17.07
TOTAL 4431 3852 579

COMPLIANCE BY MEANS OF TRANSFER

Pilot Ladder

Combination

Side Door and

Pilot Ladder

Gangway

Helicopter

Deck to Deck

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Compliant Non-Compliant

6 I N T E R N A T I O N A L M A R I T I M E P I L O T S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N
 NON-COMPLIANCE
BY TYPE OF DEFECT

The first pie chart shows the percentage of the defects that were reported to the Authority. The second pie chart shows non-compliance by
type of defect. Both the number and percentage are shown.
DEFECTS REPORTED TO AUTHORITY

TOTAL NUMBER OF NON-COMPLIANT SHIPS IN SURVEY REPORTED 570

Number of defects reported to Authority 46

% of non-compliant ships reported 8.07
% of ships reported 8.07
% of ships not reported 91.93

% of ships reported

% of ships not reported

NON-COMPLIANCE BY TYPE OF DEFECT

NON-COMPLIANT BY TYPE OF DEFECT TOTAL AS %

Pilot ladder 337 49.2

Bulwark/Deck 140 20.44
Combination 83 12.12
Safety Equipment 125 18.25
TOTAL 685

Pilot Ladder

Bulwark/Deck

Combination

Safety Equipment

S A F E T Y C A M P A I G N 2 0 1 8 7
 NON-COMPLIANCE
BY TYPE OF DEFECT

The first pie chart shows the types of defects of the pilot ladder. Both the number and percentage are shown. The second pie chart shows the
types of defects of the bulwark / deck arrangements. Both the number and percentage are shown.

DEFECTS OF PILOT LADDER

DEFECTS OF PILOT LADDER TOTAL AS %

Not against ship’s hull 57 11.75

Steps not of suitable material 8 1.65
Poorly rigged retrieval line 51 10.52
Steps broken 14 2.89
Steps not equally spaced 26 5.36
Pilot Ladder more than 9 metres 10 2.06
Steps dirty/slippery 20 4.12
Sideropes not of suitable material 19 3.92
Pilot Ladder too far forward/Aft 14 2.89
Steps painted 8 1.65
Incorrect step fittings 29 5.98
No bulwark ladder 11 2.27
Steps not horizontal 87 17.94
Other 131 27.01
TOTAL 485

Not against ship’s hull Sideropes not of

suitable material
Steps not of suitable material Pilot Ladder too
far forward/Aft

Poorly rigged retrieval line Steps painted

Steps broken Incorrect step fittings

Steps not equally spaced No bulwark ladder

DEFECTS OF BULWARK / DECK
Pilot Ladder more than 9 metres Steps not horizontal

Steps dirty/slippery Other

DEFECTS OF BULWARK / DECK TOTAL AS %

No/faulty handhold stanchions 52 33.55

Ladder not secured properly 87 56.13
Other 16 10.32
TOTAL 155

No/faulty handhold stanchions

Ladder not secured properly

Other

86 I N T E R N A T I O N A L M A R I T I M E P I L O T S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N
 NON-COMPLIANCE
BY TYPE OF DEFECT

The first pie chart shows the combination defects. Both the number and percentage are shown. The second pie chart shows the safety
equipment defects. Both the number and percentage are shown.

COMBINATION DEFECTS
COMBINATION DEFECTS TOTAL AS %

Accommodation Ladder not leading aft 3 1.65

Lower platform stanchions /
rail incorrect rigged 10 5.49
Accommodation ladder too steep
(>45 degrees) 6 3.3
Pilot Ladder not attached 1-5m
above Accommodation Ladder 28 15.38
Lower platform not horizontal 17 9.34
Ladder(s) not secured to ship’s side 59 32.42
Lower platform less than 5 metres
above the sea 29 15.93
Other 30 16.48
TOTAL 182

Accommodation Ladder Lower platform

not leading aft not horizontal
Lower platform stanchions / Ladder(s) not secured
rail incorrect rigged to ship’s side
Accommodation Ladder Lower platform less than
too steep (>45 degrees) 5 metres above the sea
Pilot Ladder not attached 1.5m Other
above Accommodation Ladder

SAFETY EQUIPMENT DEFECTS

SAFETY EQUIPMENT DEFECTS TOTAL AS %

Inadequate lighting at night 18 9.14

No lifebuoy with self-igniting light 73 37.06
No VHF communication with the bridge 17 8.63
No heaving line 40 20.3
No responsible officer in attendance 38 19.29
Other 11 5.58
TOTAL 197

Inadequate lighting at night

No lifebuoy with self-igniting light

No VHF communication with the bridge

No heaving line

No responsible officer in attendance

Other

S A F E T Y C A M P A I G N 2 0 1 8 9
 REQUIRED BOARDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR PILOT In accordance with SOLAS Regulation V/23 & IMO Resolution A.1045(27)
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION
H.Q.S. “Wellington” Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, London WC2R 2PN Tel: +44 (0)20 7240 3973 Fax: +44 (0)20 7210 3518 Email: office@impahq.org
This document and all IMO Pilot-related documents are available for download at: http://www.impahq.org

A
RIGGING FOR FREEBOARDS COMBINATION ARRANGEMENT NO!
PILOT LADDER WINCH REEL
FOR SHIPS WITH A No shackles,
OF 9 METRES OR LESS knots or splices
FREEBOARD OF MORE NO!
Handholds The steps must be
HANDHOLD THAN 9 METRES equally spaced
STANCHIONS Min. 70cm WHEN NO SIDE DOOR AVAILABLE
Min. Diam. 32mm Max. 80cm
NO! Handholds
Min.120cm The steps must be Min. 70cm Minimum
Above Bulwark horizontal and chocks Max. 80cm Clearance
under the steps must be Pad eye 220cm
tightly secured

NO! NO
Spreaders must OBSTRUCTIONS
PILOT LADDER not be lashed Min. 91.5cm
MAN-ROPES Must extend between steps
(without knots) at least 2 metres
Min. Diam. 28mm above lower NO!
Max. Diam. 32mm platform Min. 91.5cm
ACCOMMODATION Side ropes must
IF REQUIRED be equally spaced
BY THE PILOT
LADDER
SPREADER Secured to
Min. 180cm Long ship’s side NO! B
Ladder must be The steps should
firmly attached Maximum not be painted,
to ship’s side 45˚ slope Should lead aft dirty or slippery
1.5 metres above All pilot ladder winch reels should
SIDE ROPES accommodation have a means of prevention from
MAXIMUM 9 STEPS 0.5m
Min. Diam. 18mm platform Lower being accidentally operated.
Between spreaders NO!
platform Minimum
horizontal Loops and tripping Clearance Handholds The brake and lock must be
ALL STEPS lines present a 220cm Min. 70cm operative on manually operated
Min. 40cm The lower
Must rest firmly 2m tripping hazard Max. 80cm winches.
platform and foul the
against ship’s side
shall be a Recommended Pilot Launch Power winches must have an
31-35cm A pilot ladder minimum 9 metres operative safety device to lock
requires a climb of 5 metres freeboard mark the winch in position.
of not less than above the sea
1.5 metres and 2m
no more than
9 metres Minimum
Handhold stanchions Responsible Officer 91.5cm
STERN BOW rigidly secured to deck in contact with bridge

5th STEP
From bottom C
must be a spreader Side opening

6 METRES Handholds
Accommodation Minimum
unobstructed Min. 70cm
ladder should Clearance
ship’s side Height Max. 80cm
be secured to 220cm
Required by Pilot Ship’s side doors
ship’s side used for transfer
should not open
outward

(Using eyepad, 75cm

magnetic or 75cm
pneumatic
Minimum
system) Bulwark & Pilot ladder 91.5cm
Lifebuoy with secured to deck
self-igniting light strong points
 T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L
M A R I T I M E P I L O T ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

I M PA O F F I C E R S I M P A S E C R E TA R I A T
President Secretary General
Captain Simon Pelletier - Canada Nick Cutmore

Senior Vice President / Treasurer Executive Secretary

Captain Jean-Philippe Casanova - France Caron James

Vice Presidents Executive Assistant

Captain Alvaro Moreno - Panama Eliane Blanch
Captain Choi, Yeong Sig - Korea
Captain John Pearn - UK
Captain Oumar Dramé - Senegal
Captain Ricardo Falcão - Brazil
International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA)
HQS Wellington, Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, London WC2R 2PN
Telephone: +44 20 7240 3973 Fax: +44 20 7240 3518
Email: office@impahq.org Website: www.impahq.org