The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has finalized new regulations aimed at enhancing the safety of pilot transfer arrangements. During the first two weeks of June, the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) completed a draft MSC resolution that sets performance standards for these arrangements.
The updated standards specify detailed requirements for the design, manufacture, construction, rigging, and installation of pilot ladder winch reels. They also address operational readiness, onboard inspection and maintenance, familiarization, and approval processes in relation to pilot transfer arrangements as required by SOLAS regulation V/23.
These draft amendments are intended to improve compliance and resolve inconsistencies and ambiguities in the current regulations concerning the safety of pilot transfer arrangements.
Additionally, the Sub-Committee finalized a draft MSC circular that encourages the voluntary early implementation of the amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 regarding pilot transfer arrangements.
These amendments are scheduled to be submitted for approval at the next session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) in December 2024.
