Latest IMPA safety campaign on pilot ladders reveals persistent non-compliance

Abraham Smith

This year’s IMPA Safety Campaign on Pilot Ladders highlights that much work is still needed as the requirements of SOLAS regulation V/23 (Pilot Transfer Arrangements), related IMO Assembly Resolutions and ISO-799 series standards are considered a minimum requirement and not goal worth striving for, stressed IMPA.

EEach year, the International Maritime Pilots’ Association publishes the results of its annual IMPA safety campaign. Ports and pilotage providers require ships to provide information on the age and certification of their pilotage ladder. IMPA is aware of reports of pilots refusing to board ships because of non-compliance with SOLAS regulations and failure to meet ISO standards. “The courage shown by pilots and ports to reject vessels with non-compliant pilot transfer regulations is admirable.” IMPA said, adding that they expect more pilots and ports to adopt this approach if that is the case
The persistence of pilot ladder defects continues.

All pilot ladder problems can be fixed easily and inexpensively. IMPA welcomes the proactive approach taken by some shipowners to pilot transfer safety. guidelines
and procedures relating to the modification of trapdoor arrangements and the granting of a limited service life to pilot ladders are actions welcomed by IMPA.

Treating pilot ladders as safety-critical consumables with limited lifetimes is a necessary step forward. It is in the interest of sea pilots and shipboard personnel to make the maintenance of pilot transfer facilities as easy as possible. Pilots report that the crews they interact with consistently say they are busy people with conflicting priorities and time constraints. The routine repair of pilot ladders on board ships is now a traditional aspect of seamanship that really should be viewed as a last resort. Replacement is the most effective form of maintenance.

IMPA advises shipowners to support their personnel by implementing a time-based exchange of pilot ladders and associated equipment. Company procedures contained in approved safety management systems should be clear and effective, reflecting at least the latest IS0 799 series standards and emphasizing timely sharing. It’s far better to swap out safety-critical equipment too soon than a minute too late.

“Replace ’em early, replace ’em often” is the best guideline anyone working in ship management can have.

IMPA also notes that there has been an increase in the number of sea pilots on social media posts normalizing the rejection of non-compliant agreements. At the IMO, in November 2022, there was clear support for China’s proposal to amend SOLAS regulation V/23.

To us, this shows that the days of the industry’s reliance on the “can-do” attitude of ship pilots and their willingness to overlook non-compliant transfer agreements are numbered. IMPA looks forward to participating in the work of the IMO in 2023 and we hope to make significant progress with the amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 to fully support the provision of safe pilot transfer regulations.

Of note is the recent USCG safety alert which emphasizes the importance of verifying the correct placement of handholds on embarkation gate assemblies for pilot ladders.