IMO updates pilot transfer arrangements to improve safety 

All vessels subject to SOLAS and equipped with pilot transfer arrangements before 2028 will need to be compliant with the new updates from their first class survey carried out after 1 January 2029. For vessels not subject to SOLAS, compliance will be required by October 2030.

All transfer equipment, strong points and shackles should have breaking strength or equivalent safe working load clearly and permanently marked, while the minimum breaking strength required for strong points, shackles and ropes used to secure the pilot ladder on deck has been doubled from 24 kN to 48 kN.

The requirement for a maximum of nine steps between two spreaders has been changed to a maximum of eight steps with the new update. The thickness criteria for pilot ladder side ropes has been changed so the diameter of the side ropes must not be less than 20 mm and not more than 22 mm (the old rules mandated the thickness of the side ropes be a minimum of 18 mm).

When combined transfer arrangements are prepared, equipment used to fix the pilot ladder and the lower platform of the accommodation ladder to the ship’s side, known as magnets, must be capable of being safely attached and removed by a single crew member. In addition, magnets used to fix the accommodation ladder to the ship’s side must have a minimum holding capacity of 4 kN, and magnets used to fix the pilot ladder must have a minimum holding capacity of 3 kN. 

"Manufacturers will be required to permanently mark the first step of the pilot ladder and the last spreader step with the ladder’s identifying information"

Pilot ladders, man ropes, spare transfer equipment and magnets must be included in the equipment list of the Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.

The existing provision prohibiting side doors used for pilot transfer from opening outwards has been amended to apply only to those located above the freeboard deck. Side doors located on bulkhead deck for pilot transfer are now permitted to open outwards.

Manufacturers will be required to permanently mark the first step of the pilot ladder and the last spreader step with the ladder’s identifying information.

They are required to produce type-approved devices to secure pilot ladders at intermediate lengths to strong points on deck. Until these devices are produced, the most suitable method of securing the pilot ladder to a strong point is by using 3-m rope slings with a breaking strength of 48 kN and a rolling hitch knot into the side ropes.  

Strong points on deck must be at least 91.5 cm inside from the ship’s side plate and must not obstruct the transfer area. If this distance is not applicable for small vessels, the maximum allowed distance is expected to be provided. With the new updates, confusion regarding non-compliant trapdoor arrangements has been resolved and non-compliant trapdoor arrangements are strictly prohibited.

Securing pilot ladders 

It is very important that pilot ladders are safely secured on the ship’s deck, as failure to secure the pilot ladder on deck was found to be a major factor causing pilot transfer accidents*.  

While pilot ladders are being produced, the ends that will remain on the ship’s deck are knitted with a frame containing a thimble inside, and in cases where the full length of the pilot ladder is to be used, these points can be connected to strong points on the deck by using shackles.  

However, in practice, the length of the pilot ladder often needs to be shortened, the ladder length needs to be adjusted from intermediate length and secured by tying it to a strong point on the ship’s deck.  

In this securing process using shackles, the ladder’s own weight and the weight of the person on it can cause serious damage to the ladder arrangements, reducing the strength of the parts and increasing accident risks. Studies have been carried out in the maritime community for many years on this securing method, which we now call old-fashioned.

Training must be provided to ship’s crew on regular inspections of transfer equipment, their stowage on board, maintenance and replacement at appropriate intervals.

It was recommended during MSC 110 that the safest method is to secure the pilot ladder from an intermediate length on the ship’s deck is with a rolling hitch over the ladder side ropes by using 3-m ropes with resistance to 48 kN of breaking force.  

It was also planned at this committee meeting that manufacturers produce new type-approved securing equipment with a breaking strength of at least 48 kN to prevent risks arising from fastening with a rolling hitch.  

As of 1 January 2028, the method of securing pilot ladders from intermediate lengths by using shackles on deck will be phased out.   

Finally, IMO has revised the Required Pilot Transfer Arrangements poster to include these amendments. Although the current posters will remain valid until 1 January 2028, the International Marine Pilots Association recommends posters on ships be replaced with new ones.