Improving the safety of pilot transfers
IMO finalises regulations to improve the safety of pilot transfer arrangements
Meeting during the first two weeks of June, the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) finalised a draft MSC resolution on Performance standards for pilot transfer arrangements.
The new standards include detailed requirements for design, manufacture, construction, rigging, installation of pilot ladder winch reels, operational readiness, onboard inspection and maintenance, familiarization and approval in relation to pilot transfer arrangements required under SOLAS regulation V/23.
The draft amendments aim to improve compliance and address inconsistencies and ambiguities in existing regulations within associated instruments on the safety of pilot transfer arrangements.
In addition, the Sub-Committee finalised a draft MSC circular on Voluntary early implementation of the amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 on pilot transfer arrangements.
These amendments will be submitted to the upcoming session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) in December 2024, with a view to approval.
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