Enhancing the Safety of Pilot Transfer Arrangements

Marine pilots routinely face high-risk transfers between moving ships and small boats, often in challenging conditions. A single failure in equipment or procedure can result in severe injury or loss of life.

Despite previous regulatory measures, accidents and fatalities continue to occur due to non-compliant arrangements, poor maintenance, or incorrect rigging of pilot ladders. Recent findings underline the scale of the problem:

• Based on the safety campaign conducted by the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) in May-2025, nearly 14% of transfer arrangements are reported to be non-compliant, with pilot ladders emerging as the most frequent concern.
• According to the latest Safety Bulletin published by Tokyo MOU, deficiencies related to pilot transfer arrangements increased from 197 in 2020 to 523 in 2024, with detentions rising from 1 to 12 in the same period. Common issues include improper securing of ladders, defective steps or ropes, and misuse of accommodation ladders.

To address these issues, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee during its 110th session (MSC 110) adopted amendments to SOLAS Regulation V/23 and the associated new Performance Standards for pilot transfer arrangements, which contains detailed requirements for design, manufacture, construction, inspection, stowage, maintenance, replacement, and  familiarisation.

The amendments, which will enter into force on 1 January 2028, forbid the use of mechanical pilot hoists and require adequate lighting for all pilot transfer areas and deck embarkation points.

Implementation Timeline:

• From 1 January 2028 – All new pilot transfer arrangements must comply with the new regulation and performance standards.
• From the first survey on or after 1 January 2029 – Existing arrangements on SOLAS ships must be upgraded to meet the new standards.
• From 1 January 2030 – Requirements extend to non-SOLAS ships.

The IMO has issued a circular encouraging voluntary early implementation ahead of the specified dates.

To support industry’s transition, the UK Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) has developed an interactive poster illustrating compliant arrangements under the new regulation. This practical tool is intended to help crew familiarise themselves with requirements and prepare ahead of the implementation dates.

Members are also recommended to refer to IMPA’s website for further details.