The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has received feedback and notifications from various industry sources, including Maritime pilots and Port State Control (PSC) relating to non-compliant pilot transfer arrangement on board Singapore Registered Ships (SRS).
We take a serious view of the feedback/complaints and have investigated into the matter, in particular non-compliant pilot transfer arrangement fitted with a trapdoor at the accommodation ladder lower platform that does not meet SOLAS Regulation V/23 and relevant IMO resolutions.
Compliant Arrangement
The pilot ladder extends above the lower platform to the height of the handrail.
Non-Compliant Arrangement
The pilot transfer arrangement with trapdoor fitted at lower platform whereby one section of the pilot ladder is secured to the underneath of the lower platform frame and the other section of the pilot ladder is secured to the top of the lower platform frame and are not considered a single continuous length.
In order to address and ensure the safe embarkation/disembarkation of personnel, as well as to avert any third party intervention, an advisory has been promulgated for the attention of our ROs, Designated Persons (DPA) and Shipowners/Managers of companies operating Singapore registered ships (SRS). We urged our ROs and SRS shipowners/operators to check and ensure that all pilot transfer arrangement, in particular, fitted with a trapdoor comply with SOLAS requirements and relevant IMO resolutions as soon as possible.
SRS Shipowners/operators are advised to consult their ship’s classification society and if required, approach MPA with necessary assessment/recommendation along with a modification plan for review and further instruction/agreement when any non-compliance is detected.
The following relevant IMO guidelines and SOLAS Regulations are listed for reference:
- i) SOLAS Regulations Chapter V – Related to Pilot transfer arrangement;
- ii) IMO Resolution A.426 (XI);
- iii) IMO Resolution A.889(21);and
- iv) IMO Resolutions A.1045(27).