1. MARINERS ARE HEREBY REMINDED of their obligations to facilitate the safe embarkation and disembarkation of Pilots, as laid down by the current Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders and Hoists) Regulations.
2. In particular, attention is drawn to the sections which specify, in detail, the requirement, construction and manner in which pilot ladders, accommodation ladders, hoists and associated equipment must be rigged.
3. All Pilot Ladders are expected to be checked frequently as per IMO Resolution A.1045(27), ISO 799-1:2019 which requires a ladder and step attachment strength test and certification to take place at intervals not more than 30 months apart.
4. Specifically, no pilot ladder tripping lines should be rigged as they can impede safe ascent or descent or become fouled by the Pilot Cutter coming alongside. It is also a requirement in Milford Haven that no man ropes are rigged.
5. It should be noted that ships’ accommodation ladders MUST ALWAYS LEAD AFT.
6. Pilots and Pilot Cutter Coxswains have been instructed not to embark or disembark vessels which fail to comply with the Regulations. Consequently, failure to comply is likely to result in delay.
7. Owing to the large size of Pilot Cutters, the successful boarding of a Pilot in rough weather is significantly reduced by having to use a combination of accommodation ladder and Pilot Ladder. It is therefore advisable to reduce the freeboard to below 9 metres in vessels where this is possible, to avoid delays.
BY ORDER
M RYAN
HARBOURMASTER
Port of Milford Haven
Gorsewood Drive
Hakin
Milford Haven
Pembrokeshire
SA73 3EP
Tel: 01646 696100
Email: enquiries@mhpa.co.uk