THE AUSTRALIAN Maritime Safety Authority is investigating a pilot ladder incident which it said “could have ended in tragedy”.
In a public post late last week AMSA said the pilot ladder parted in the middle while in use, throwing the person on it four metres down into the water. The person was not injured.
An AMSA spokesperson told DCN the incident occurred in AMSA’s western region and involved a general cargo ship.
“The ship was detained following the incident, and AMSA has commenced an investigation,” the spokesperson said.
“As that investigation is underway, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this early point in time.
“The incident is a timely reminder about the importance of safe pilot transfer arrangements, which will be the focus of increased engagement by AMSA with industry in the coming months.”
Following the incident, AMSA is directing attention to its Marine Notice 03/2022—Pilot transfer arrangements, which reminds shipowners, operators, masters, crews, recognised organisations, marine pilots and pilotage providers of the obligation to provide safe pilot transfer arrangements.
In the notice, published last year, AMSA noted “with concern” that pilots’ lives had been risked in incidents where man ropes had parted or where the securing point had failed.
AMSA said following last week’s incident it would continue to sharpen its compliance and enforcement focus on pilot ladders.
