Pilot Ladder

Pilot Boat Karankawa retrieving PilotPilot Ladder Alone

  • Pilot Ladders should be rigged 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water. (unless otherwise instructed by the pilots)
  • The Pilot Ladder should be clean and dry.  Free of oil, grease or chemicals.
  • The Pilot Ladder should be inspected for cracks in steps and spreaders and frays in the rope.
  • Please have a heaving line standing by should the pilot require it.
  • The area at the top of the ladder should be free of obstructions.
  • NO Manropes.
  • Please have ladder illuminated with proper lighting at night.

Combination Arrangement

  • A combination ladder should be prepared for the pilot when the freeboard of the vessel exceeds nine 9 meters.
  • When rigging a combination ladder, the vessel should ensure, the gangway is no closer than four (4) meters ( roughly 12 feet) above the water.   The pilot ladder should be 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water. (unless otherwise instructed by the pilots)
  • Both, the gangway and the pilot ladder should be secrured to the side of the vessel by lashing them to the pigeon holes.   Should the vessel not be equipped with pigeon holes, magnets should be used on the side of the hull.
  • Please ensure the platform at the bottom of the gangway is properly secured with its correct pin.
  • Please ensure the ladder is clean and dry in good condition with no cracks in the steps or spreaders and the rope is not frayed.
  • The area at the top of the ganway shoud be free of obstructions
  • Please have a heaving line standing by should the pilot require it.
  • Please have the ganway and ladder illuminated with proper lighting at night

Pilot Boarding Arrangements Poster