New Industry Guidance On Pilot Transfer Arrangements Published by ICS
In an effort to improve the safety of pilots and seafarers, The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), in collaboration with a number of industry organisations including BIMCO, have released the third edition of the Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements.
This guidance is intended to remind seafarers and companies of the vital importance of adhering to the rules and established procedures concerning the provision of safe boarding arrangements for pilots.
Pilots have the right to decline to board vessels offering defective boarding arrangements, which can result in serious delay. Pilots are also entitled to report defects in boarding arrangements to port state control authorities, which could lead to a full port state control inspection with the risk of delay and financial penalties. A pilot who has climbed a correct ladder, well rigged, and attended by an officer and a deck party will be in the right frame of mind to give their best attention to the safety of the vessel.
In this edition, a new section outlining the International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidance on combination embarkation platform arrangements has been added.
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