A recent maritime incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining and inspecting essential safety equipment, specifically pilot ladders, during pilot boarding operations. The failure of a side rope on the pilot ladder, discovered during weight testing by the pilot, raised significant safety concerns. This incident investigation reveals key findings and actions taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Key Findings and Actions Taken
- Maintenance Oversight: The pilot ladder had not undergone a required 30-month strength test due to a lapse in uploading the requirement into the vessel’s planned maintenance system.
- Operational Decision: Despite knowledge of the ladder’s poor condition, a decision was made to continue using it beyond its operational life, especially considering the imminent decommissioning of the vessel.
- Absence of Spare: The vessel did not have a spare or second pilot ladder on board, leading to operational delays when the boarding operation was aborted.
Actions Taken
- Replacement of the defective pilot ladder with a new one.
- Implementation of a minimum requirement to carry two pilot ladders and replace them every two years.
- Emphasis on regular inspections of safety-critical equipment before use, with immediate reporting and rectification of any deficiencies.
- Ensuring the vessel’s planned maintenance systems are comprehensive and up-to-date.
Recommendations
Maritime operators are urged to refer to industry guidelines, such as those provided by OCIMF and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), to enhance safety protocols during pilot transfer arrangements. Additionally, compliance with SOLAS regulations, specifically Regulation 23, and IMO Resolution A.1045(27) on Pilot Transfer Arrangements, should be rigorously maintained to prevent safety lapses during boarding operations.
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Source: IMCA
