Pilot ladder parted while embarking. Marine Pilot survived 15 minutes in the Sea of Oman.
Frank Diegel
Marine-Pilots.com, trenz-ppu.com, New-Vessels.com, Pilot-Guard.org - Inspiring Maritime!
Pilot Umar Habib was called out to board the bulk carrier OPAL FORTUNE (IMO 9131034, at the Sohar pilot station. Whilst stepping on the ladder with the pilot boat moving away the pilot felt the ladder slowly coming down, until after a few seconds the whole ladder broke and the pilot fell into the water.
The Captain of the OPAL FORTUNE immediately stopped the engine of his vessel and his crew threw a life buoy into the water. Pilot managed to swim away from the propeller with his inflated life vest, and the crew of the pilot boat started the search for the pilot. As it was pitch dark, it took the pilot boat 15 minutes to find and rescue the pilot, thanks to the fair circumstances, no wind, a slight swell and a water temperature of 34 degrees.
The OPAL FORTUNE was ordered after the search to return to the anchorage until further investigation about the reason why the ladder parted. Representatives of Port of Sohar, Royal Omani Police and Port State Control paid a visit to the vessel. Certificates proved that the ladder was exactly two years old, and that strands of manila were broken at four places. The middle section of about four meters, which fell in the water, was missing. The upper part remained on deck, and the lower part was connected to the vessel by the retriever line. According to the Captain the ladder was always properly stowed under a canvas tarpaulin, but the condition of the manila strands near the parting points was doubtful. One can imagine the harsh conditions for vessels trading in the Persian Gulf and surroundings, with the humidity, the heat and the sunlight, which might cause a quick deterioration of pilot ladders exposed to the weather.
Manager (Operations) at Orissa Stevedores Limited
5 年The ships agent should also caution vessel well in advance while sending their pre arrival message to master for ensuring pilot ladder is order for safe boarding of pilots as a pro active measure.. SAFTEY FIRST
Marine-Pilots.com, trenz-ppu.com, New-Vessels.com, Pilot-Guard.org - Inspiring Maritime!
5 年Original report of the Marine Pilot?Capt. Agha Umar Habib "The scariest 15 minutes of my life!" https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/one-never-appreciates-life-unless-encounters-death-frank-diegel/
Strategic Leadership | Dry Bulk Freights | Asset Management | Dispute Resolution
5 年Gross negligience ! Whilst there is no such reason which should support this sheer non compliance. I reckon more training and awareness programmes for the seafarers and the support staff ashore.....
Marine Operations Manager/ Senior FPSO Pilot at ETL Group Ltd
5 年Pilot ladders should have a test schedule where they are to be tested by shore every 6 months and a certificate issued. Ladders should also be tagged same as wires with date of last test. The Pilot is in no position to check the ladder prior to boarding, hence it is the Master's responsibility to ensure that the ladder is thoroughly checked prior to being rigged for Pilot boarding.
Training, Crewing, Projects, LNG Dual-Fuel
5 年Does inspection of Pilot Ladders part of ships PMS (Planned Maintenance). Does class inspects pilot ladders part of their annual surveys? Something to look forward to..