Deficiencies in pilot ladders and pilot transfer arrangements pose significant risks and consequences in the maritime industry. Not only can they be deadly, but they can also lead to operational and financial implications for the supply chain.

To address these issues, the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) has introduced an innovative interactive educational tool aimed at enhancing safety in pilot transfers. This tool provides practical guidance and compliance with the revised SOLAS Regulation V/23, ensuring safer boarding operations globally.

The newly launched interactive poster serves as a visual aid for all stakeholders involved in pilot transfer arrangements, promoting better understanding and adherence to the updated performance standards set by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee.

Importance of Pilot Transfer Safety

With over 100,000 trading vessels calling at U.K. ports annually, the efficiency and safety of pilot transfer arrangements are crucial for smooth operations. Non-compliant or unsafe boarding conditions can result in delays, trigger PSC inspections, and impact the continuity of national supply chains.

Life-Saving Tool for the Maritime Industry

According to Christopher Hoyle, chairman of UKMPA, the interactive poster is more than just a visual aid—it is a life-saving tool. Developed by industry experts, the tool translates technical requirements into an accessible format, allowing users to identify compliant and non-compliant arrangements easily.

Key Features of the Interactive Poster:

• Interactive visual design with clickable diagrams
• Highlights common compliance failures vs. best-practice setups
• Supports training, safety inspections, and pre-arrival checks
• Enables early adoption ahead of compliance deadlines

Compliance Deadlines

The new SOLAS V/23 compliance deadlines are as follows:

• January 1, 2028 – New builds
• January 1, 2029 – At first survey for existing SOLAS ships
• January 1, 2030 – Non-SOLAS ships

Hoyle emphasizes that safety during pilot transfers is a shared responsibility and encourages widespread use of the interactive poster by all stakeholders in the maritime ecosystem. By promoting compliance with PTA regulations, lives can be protected, and costly delays can be minimized.

Access the interactive poster HERE.