S.I. No. 686/2020 - Merchant Shipping (Pilot Transfer Arrangements) Rules 2020

1. the pilot ladder winch reel should not be relied upon to support the pilot ladder when the pilot ladder is in use;

2. the pilot ladder should be secured to a strong point, independent of the pilot ladder winch reel; and

3. the pilot ladder should be secured at deck level inside the ship side opening or, when located on the ship’s upper deck, at a distance of not less than 915 millimetres measured horizontally from the ship’s side inwards.

7.5

Mechanical securing of pilot ladder winch reel

7.5.1 All pilot ladder winch reels should have means of preventing the winch reel from being accidentally operated as a result of mechanical failure or human error.

7.5.2 Pilot ladder winch reels may be manually operated or, alternatively, powered by either electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic means.

7.5.3 Manually operated pilot ladder winch reels should be provided with a brake or other suitable arrangements to control the lowering of the pilot ladder and to lock the winch reel in position once the pilot ladder is lowered into position.

7.5.4 Electrical, hydraulic or pneumatically driven pilot ladder winch reels should be fitted with safety devices which are capable of cutting off the power supply to the winch reel and thus locking the winch reel in position.

7.5.5 Powered winch reels should have clearly marked control levers or handles which may be locked in a neutral position.

7.5.6 A mechanical device or locking pin should also be utilized to lock powered winch reels.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

22 December, 2020.

EAMON RYAN,

Minister for Transport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(

This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.

)

These Rules implement Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, and subsequent Protocols and amendments, up to and including those adopted by the 90

th

Session of the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO in May 2012, in particular Regulation 23 relating to equipment and arrangements for pilot transfer which were installed on or after 1 January 1994.

The Rules require ships engaged on voyages in the course of which pilots are likely to be employed to provide pilot transfer arrangements and to ensure that pilot ladders and their arrangements, use and maintenance conform to IMO standards.

The Rules apply to seagoing Irish registered ships and to ships registered in another state while they are in a port in the State. They do not apply to fishing vessels.

The Rules revoke the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders & Hoists) Rules, 1993 (

S.I. No. 55 of 1993

).

4. safely secure the pilot ladder and manropes to the ship’s side at a point on the ship’s side at a distance of 1,500 millimetres above the platform access point to the ship side opening or the lower platform of the accommodation ladder; and

5. if a combination arrangement is provided, have the accommodation ladder secured to the ship’s side at or close to the lower platform so as to ensure that the accommodation ladder rests firmly against the ship’s side.

7.2.3 Pilot ladder winch reels fitted inside a ship’s side opening should

6. SAFE APPROACH OF THE PILOT BOAT

Where rubbing bands or other constructional features might prevent the safe approach of a pilot boat, these should be cut back to provide at least 6 metres of unobstructed ship’s side.

Specialized offshore ships less than 90 metres or other similar ships less than 90 metres for which a 6 metre gap in the rubbing bands would not be practicable, as determined by the MSO, do not have to comply with this requirement. In this case, other appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that persons are able to embark and disembark safely.

7. INSTALLATION OF PILOT LADDER WINCH REELS

7.1

Point of access

7.1.1 When a pilot ladder winch reel is provided it should be situated at a position which will ensure persons embarking on, or disembarking from, the ship between the pilot ladder and the point of access to the ship, have safe, convenient and unobstructed access to or egress from the ship.

7.1.2 The point of access to or egress from the ship may be by a ship’s side opening, an accommodation ladder when a combination arrangement is provided, or a single section of pilot ladder.

7.1.3 The access position and adjacent area should be clear of obstructions, including the pilot ladder winch reel, for distances as follows

8. (1) Means shall be provided to ensure safe, convenient and unobstructed passage for any person embarking on, or disembarking from, the ship between the head of the pilot ladder, or of any accommodation ladder or other appliance, and the ship’s deck.

(2) Where the aforesaid passage is by means of a gateway in the rails or bulwark, adequate handholds shall be provided.

(3) Where the aforesaid passage is by means of a bulwark ladder, two handhold stanchions rigidly secured to the ship’s structure at or near their bases and at higher points shall be fitted. The bulwark ladder shall be securely attached to the ship to prevent overturning.

Shipside doors

9. Shipside doors used for pilot transfer shall not open outwards.

Mechanical pilot hoists

10. Mechanical pilot hoists shall not be used.

Associated equipment

11. (1) The following associated equipment shall be kept at hand ready for immediate use when persons are being transferred

(

a

) two man-ropes of not less than 28 millimetres and not more than 32 millimetres in diameter properly secured to the ship if required by the pilot; man-ropes shall be fixed at the rope end to the ring plate fixed on deck and shall be ready for use when the pilot disembarks, or upon request from a pilot approaching to board (the man-ropes shall reach the height of the stanchions or bulwarks at the point of access to the deck before terminating at the ring plate on deck);

(

b

) a lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light; and

(

c

) a heaving line.

(2) When required by Rule 8, stanchions and bulwark ladders shall be provided.

Lighting

12. Adequate lighting shall be provided to illuminate the transfer arrangements overside and the position on deck where a person embarks or disembarks.

Revocation

13. The Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders and Hoists) Rules 1993 (

S.I. No. 55 of 1993

) are revoked.

Regulation 5(2)

SCHEDULE 1

Pilot Transfer Arrangements

Based on: Annex to RESOLUTION A.889 (21)

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of

5

th January,

2021.

I, EAMON RYAN, Minister for Transport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by

section 82

of the

Merchant Shipping Act, 2010

(No. 14 of 2010) (as adapted by the Transport, Tourism and Sport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 (

S.I. No. 351 of 2020

)), hereby make the following rules

Citation