An Australian coastal pilot disembarking from the chemical tanker 'Golden Concord' fell three metres to the deck of a pilot launch when the pilot ladder manrope he was holding appeared to give way, reports the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
"Pilot transfers by way of pilot ladders are routine, yet inherently risky operations," said the ATSB. "They require the correct configuration of the pilot ladder and manropes and clear and standardised communication between the ship's crew, the pilot and the pilot launch crew."
"Fortunately, in this case the pilot did not sustain any serious injuries. However, the ATSB found a number of risk controls designed to prevent such an occurrence had been compromised."
Following this incident, the ship's management company has revised its pilot transfer procedures to ensure that all transfers are conducted with a deck party consisting of a supervising officer and at least one deck rating, said the transport agency. The company has also revised its procedures to ensure that pilot ladders and manropes are rigged in accordance with the most recent international requirements.
The pilotage company has revised its procedures to incorporate the provision of information about the use of manropes to pilot launch crews on their approach to the ship.
Pilots and launch deckhands are now required to conduct a visual and manual check of pilot ladders before disembarking. The company is also reinforcing the importance of adhering to the standard communication protocols specified in the safety management system, concluded the ATSB.
