Should ships crew repair pilot ladders? Apart from the seriously diminished lack of seafarer knowledge and skills in this area we don’t recommend replacing steps or spreaders. Since any repair is a temporary, emergency action prior to either replacing the ladder or having it rebuilt by the manufacturer it is generally more sensible to bring the spare pilot ladder into use, retire the damaged ladder and replace the spare as soon as possible. This is the best way to gauruntee having a compliant and most importantly of all safe pilot ladder.
Suggestion Of Pilot Ladder Spare Kit - by Khan I suggest to All Manufactures & Suppliers of Pilot Ladders to introduce the Pilot Ladder Spares Replacement / Repairing tool kit. (it is general list of items given in pic ) As per Ship classification / Flag state rules & regulations ladder should be tested after replaced anything. Note : Manufactures & Suppliers should prepared manual how to fixing / replacement method of these items of Pilot Ladder. If it is helpful for the safety of pilot ladder onboard ship if required ? what is your view of point ? Stay Safe #everyone & have a great weeknd #maritimeindustry #laddersafety #safetyculture #pilotladder #ships #seafarers #captains #masters #harbourmasters #deckofficers #deckcadets #marineindustry #laddersuppliers #everyone PTR Holland Group Joris J. Stuip Stavros Maniateas Rodrigo Echeverría Lübbert Lloyd's Register DNV - Maritime RINA Bureau Veritas Group American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) CHIRP Marine-Pilots.com International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA) International Maritime Industries ISPO | International Standard for maritime Pilot Organizations Tanger Med Pilots Association (APMPM) European Maritime Pilots' Association (EMPA) Associated British Ports KARCO IHMA - International Harbour Masters Association WCI MARITME SERVICES Fathom Safety Ltd
The requirements dictate the producers must provide repair steps / spreaders (those are tested as well and must meet the requirements) if so required by the customer, what basically means if the producer does not, they can’t hold any IACS approvals whatsoever (some still do 🤷🏻♂️) with the initial thought that a step/ spreader can be replaced, vessel continuou the voyage and the complete pilot ladder to be replaced it the next port, would it be smart to do repairs on board, it would like to leave that everyone’s imagination 🙏🏻
The pilot ladder is an invention of the last century. Every year many pilots are injured due to ladder accidents. New technology for raising and lowering pilots must be developed and introduced.
This is tricky. Any repair by someone who is not authorized and might not have access to special tools and spare parts might cause actually further damage to the ladders.
Simple example : prior to rigging the ladder tight the loose whipping of wedge wooden chocks instead of rigged as it as. By Loose chocks the ladder step will be not stable in horizontal position. Simple things to do is better . Our focus should be on safe ladders and safe transfer of pilots. Stay safe #everyone & have a wonderful evening
Good operators would carry spare or second pilot ladders. Onboard repairs are long time gone and are normally even any more allowed by many authorities.
Fathom Safety Ltd Thanks for sharing with informative statement.
Chief Officer at MSC ( Mediterranean Shipping Company ) / Captain License ( A-II/2 )
8moThere is always question by psc arises regarding ( found that pilot ladder repaired by ship staff and there is no evidence or prove of standard after maintenance)so first question 1- who is authorized to issue the new certificate or any letter of standard ? 2- pilot ladder can be repaired by ship staff without any prove ( just keeping the shape ) ? So my openion after 12 years sea service and at least observed many maintenance on pilot ladder, i can say ship staff able to repair only rubber step and chocks , clips rest of all for normal pilot ladder without special equipment and training its not safe , is better to request new and always keep one new spare ladder . Spending 400 $ it’s nothing to make sure human life is safe. Looking forwardto hear about mew modification or new type of pilot embarkation facility