Technical & Training Report October 2008

December 9th, 2008 by JCB
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Technical and Training Committee Report

There has been little activity since our last meeting and the report we made to Conference that was included in the July edition.

The recent pilot ladder incident in Harwich on the 12^th July has once again highlighted the dangers inherent during the pilot transfer operation. The Swedish Maritime Administration have brought to our attention the discrepancy between IMO A889(21) as contained in SOLAS V and ISO 799:2004. These documents detail how pilot ladders should be constructed however they differ in one very important aspect and that is where the side ropes are spliced. Sweden are in the process of collecting information with a view to proposing changes to IMO A889(21). Technical and Training have been asked by Section Committee to make comments with a view to progressing the matter through the MCA. This may be the appropriate moment to also look at the IMO poster and update that also.

IMPA are conducting a survey of Pilot Boats and have asked the Association for data on launches in use around the UK. This is probably a timely opportunity to review our own survey that was carried out in 2001. David Roberts has kindly agreed to take oversee this project.

Section Committee have appointed Nick Lee from PLA and Jonathan Mills from Medway to replace myself and John Nayes. We shall be inviting Nick and Jonathan along to join us at our next meeting on 6^th November

Gareth Rees (Southampton)