LADDER REQUIREMENTS FOR EMBARKING & DISEMBARKING PILOTS

Use of Pilot Ladders

(1) Using VHF-FM channel 13 contact Port Angeles Pilot Station 1 hour prior to arrival for desired lee. The ladder is to be rigged 1 meter (3 feet) from the water.

(2) The ladder must be in good condition, kept clean, and used solely for embarking and disembarking pilots.

(3) Rigging of the ladder, along with embarking and disembarking pilots, must be under the supervision of a licensed officer.

(4) The ladder must be made in one length and not consist of two lengths shackled or lashed together, and should be equipped with spreaders about 10 feet apart to comply with SOLAS Regulation 17, Chapter 5.

(5) The pilot boats have their own lights to illuminate the pilot ladder, but a standby light should be ready in the event of an emergency.

(6) The area of the deck where the pilot boards and leaves must be well lighted and clear of all obstacles to insure a safe passage for the pilot.

(7) No tag lines, pull-up ropes, or trailing lines may be attached to the lower ends of the ladder.

(8) Ladders must be rigged well clear of discharge and water outlets and at a place near midship which affords the best lee for the pilot. At no time should the ladder be rigged near the stern of the vessel.

(9) Means must be provided to allow the pilot to pass safely onto the ship's deck. Where portable stanchions and bulwark steps are used for this, the portable stanchions must be rigidly attached to the ship's structure and not the steps. The bulwark steps must also be securely fastened.

(10) The treads must remain horizontal when used and the upper surface must have a rough non-skid quality.

(11) Manropes approximately 3" manila in circumference, a heaving line and a ring buoy with a self-igniting light must be provided.

(12) If your vessel is to take a load of logs, arrangements should be made to have a catwalk to provide safe passage to and from the ladder.

Use of Accommodation Ladders

(1) All vessels where the distance from sea level to the point of access of the ship exceeds 9 meters (30 feet) at any time should carry an accommodation ladder on each side.

(2) The ladder is to be so sited that, when in use, the lower end of the ladder shall rest firmly against the ship's side under all conditions of roll and heel, clear of all discharges, and within the parallel length of the ship.

(3) A conventional pilot ladder should be rigged just abaft the lower platform of the accommodation ladder. The pilot ladder should be secured firmly to the lower platform to allow access between the pilot ladder and accommodation ladder. The pilot ladder should extend at least 2 meters (6 feet) above the accommodation ladder's lower platform.

(4) Manropes are to be provided and rigged alongside the pilot ladder.

Rigging of Pilot Ladders

The illustrations provided on the following pages show the mandatory requirements for arranging pilot ladders. These are in compliance with SOLAS Regulations, IMO Requirements and conform to recommendations of the International Maritime Pilots' Association.