The Japan P&I Club has just issued Circular No.1330 — a wake-up call for everyone involved in pilot transfer operations.
According to the latest Tokyo MOU bulletin, deficiencies in pilot ladders and transfer arrangements have more than doubled in four years — from 197 cases and 1 detention in 2020 to 523 cases and 12 detentions in 2024.
The same mistakes keep showing up:
🔹 unsecured ladders
🔹 D-shackles used instead of proper fittings
🔹 poor maintenance and crew unfamiliarity
Behind every statistic there’s a near miss waiting to happen.
This circular is a strong reminder that SOLAS V/23 compliance isn’t paperwork — it’s survival.
✅ Identify your pilot ladders correctly
✅ Rig them by the book
✅ Inspect and train, regularly
✅ Replace anything doubtful — immediately
New performance standards adopted by IMO (MSC 110) will come into force on 1 January 2028, with mandatory compliance from the first survey after 1 January 2029.
Because at sea, safety isn’t a checklist — it’s a habit.
📄 Full circular (Japan P&I Club):
👉 https://www.piclub.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/No.1330_Proper-Maintenance-and-Rigging-of-Pilot-Transfer-Arrangements.pdf
#JapanP&IClub #TokyoMOU #PilotTransfer #PilotLadder #SOLAS #MaritimeSafety #Seafarers #ShipSafety #PANDI #MaritimeCompliance #MarineRiskManagement #ShippingIndustry
