Skip to content

Fall from pilot ladder

What happened

A Chief Officer slipped and fell from a pilot ladder onto a lifeboat, suffering minor bruising. The incident occurred on a vessel which was coming to the end of ten days spent alongside in a shipyard. The crew were performing a last pre-departure mandatory drill, which was a man overboard recovery with the lifeboat afloat, combined with the periodic over-boarding sea trial of the lifeboat itself. A Pilot ladder has been rigged to join the lifeboat which was already lowered into the water. The Chief Officer climbed down the ladder, and as he did so it suddenly slid downward. He let go of the ladder immediately for fear of getting his hands caught between the sliding ladder and the hull and fell about 2m directly onto the lifeboat.

He was able to clamber safely back on board. The next morning, he reported small bruises on his chest: no medicines were prescribed, and he continued to work normally.

Lifeboat
Person climbing down Pilot Ladder

What was the cause

The Pilot Ladder was not properly secured.

 Lessons learned

  • Work Preparation – always rig the Pilot Ladder securely, ensuring that it is properly attached to the vessel’s side and positioned at the correct distance from the waterline. The installation of the pilot ladder should be checked by an officer, who is responsible for ensuring it is correctly installed and complies with the required safety standards
  • Training Familiarization – ensure the crew responsible for rigging and handling the Pilot Ladder are properly trained and familiar with the proper procedures for deploying, securing, and stowing the ladder.

Members may wish to refer to:

Safety Event

Published: 12 September 2023
Download: IMCA SF 22/23

IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.