PILOT LADDERS - REQUIRED BOARDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR PILOTS
Local Marine Notice 03/2019 is cancelled.
Masters are reminded of their responsibility to ensure their vessel is always operated safely and in particular, the need for providing a safe means for boarding by the pilot.
All vessels arriving at the Port of Esperance are to ensure that any Pilot ladder intended for use by the Pilot has not been in service for a period of more than 30 Months. Any ladder that has been in service for more than 30 months since the date of manufacture as per SOLAS V/23.2.3 will be required to have undergone a ladder and step attachment strength test as per ISO-799:2019 with proof in the form of a test certificate supplied to the duty pilot prior to arrival at Esperance otherwise the ladder will not be deemed suitable for use.
Manropes used with Pilot Ladders are not to have an operational life exceeding 12 months since the date that they were first put into service. Evidence is to be provided to the duty pilot upon request.
Ropes used to secure the ladder to a strong point on the deck must be fit for purpose, in good condition and of sufficient strength and construction. In addition, these ropes should have a service life of no more than 12 months from the date of first use with evidence able to be supplied upon request.
Vessels arriving to Esperance which are found to be deficient with respect to any of the required boarding arrangements for pilots may have their movement cancelled and be required to anchor until such deficiencies have been rectified and can be scrutinized by a pilot during daylight hours.
The pilot boarding arrangement shall be in compliance with the latest diagram published by IMO which is in accordance with SOLAS V/23 and IMO Resolution A.1045 (27).
When the red 9m freeboard mark is visible, a combination ladder must be rigged.
The pilot ladder must extend at least 2 meters above the lower platform of the gangway.
The ladder must be firmly attached to the ship's side 1.5 meters above the accommodation platform.
When manropes are required with a combination ladder, they shall be attached to the ships side 1.5 meters above the accommodation ladder platform.
Manropes must be 3 meters above the water.(Not more than one meter above the lowest step of the pilot ladder).
The accommodation ladder must be secured to the ship’s side.
The accommodation ladder may only have a maximum slope of 45 degrees and should lead aft.
The lower platform must be horizontal and must have a non-slip surface.
The lower platform shall be a minimum of 5 meters above the sea.
The responsible officer must be located on the lower platform with a hand-held VHF on CH12.
Magnetic Attachment Plates:
- Where a combination ladder is required and there are no lugs for securing the ladder against the ship’s side, securing magnetic plates with lugs must be used.
- The port of Esperance has lugs which may be used by the vessel to correctly rig the ladder.
- This equipment is provided free of charge and must be requested through the vessel’s agent well in advance so that delays may be avoided.
