Pilots, ladders, safety Home Publications Articles Pilot Ladder Safety Pilot Ladder Safety Publications John (Capt.) Taylor Published: September 08, 2020 Contact author Download article pdf Image A new website “ Pilotladder Safety ” was recently launched and the Managers felt this to be a good opportunity, not only to highlight the availability of this website, but also to remind Members of other pertinent and important information that is available. This website has many useful sections including a  checklist for the rigging of pilot ladders and links to various  reference material on the subject matter. The most hazardous part of a vessel’s voyage takes place in pilotage waters, and it is for this reason that pilots are engaged. For a pilot, the process of embarkation and disembarkation, is the most hazardous part of any act of pilotage, ascending or descending a pilot ladder is risky, even in the most benign of conditions. As weather conditions become adverse, the risks increase significantly. Therefore, for the sake of pilots’ safety, when preparing to rig a pilot ladder, it is very important to first check the structural integrity of the ladder and consider the method of rigging, ensuring that they are appropriate to the ship’s design, loading condition and environmental conditions. Further, any incident resulting in the loss of life or personal injury of a pilot occurring during such operations as the result of a failure of those on the vessel to adhere to recommended safe practices can give rise to significant P&I liabilities. Therefore, pilot boarding and disembarkation arrangements must at all times comply with the requirements of SOLAS Regulation V/23  and IMO Resolutions A.1045(27)  and A.1108(29) . IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1428  illustrates the pilot transfer arrangements required by SOLAS V/23. The circular includes drawings of ladders; rigging arrangements; pilot ladder winch reels and scenarios to be aware of. The boarding