Pilot Ladders

A pilot who has climbed a sound ladder, well rigged, and attended by an officer and a deck party will be in the right frame of mind to give his best attention to the safety of the vessel. The IMO Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 23) sets out the principal requirements for the rigging of pilot ladders. The following e-learning module is intended to remind seafarers and shipping companies of the vital importance of adhering to the rules and established procedures concerning the provision of safe boarding arrangements for pilots.

A number of pilots have died as a result of accidents while boarding/disembarking from ships, and many more have been seriously injured. Furthermore, deficiencies with regard to boarding arrangements and unsafe rigging of pilot ladders continue to be detected during port state control inspections, resulting in delays and financial penalties for the ship operator. The aim of this e-learning module is to enhance the safety of anyone using a pilot ladder. It will show you how to inspect, rig, store, repair and deploy a pilot ladder safely.

Learning objectives:

• Determine when a pilot ladder and accessories are fit for purpose
• Apply safe and compliant repairs
• Describe associated boarding and disembarkation procedures
• Determine safe storage for a ladder when not in use
• Correctly deploy a pilot ladder