Pilot ladders

[John Arton]

There is a big push on internationally regarding the correct rigging of, maintenance of and correct boarding procedure for pilot ladders and the associated gangway, where applicable. Pictures posted by many pilots world wide on a forum dedicated to bad ladders, show many shocking examples of not only incorrectly rigged and secured ladders but also ladders that are blatantly unsafe due to there condition.
(Check out the Facebook page dedicated to unsafe ladders for photos).
In all my years at sea, both deep sea and on the coast, I can never recall an instance of our pilot ladder being in tip top condition nor of it being incorrectly rigged and manned, nor ever having a pilot fall off the ladder despite often having the pilot boarding in pretty terrible conditions. Yet looking at the photos on that forum you have to ask yourselves just what the master and crew of those ships were thinking providing such abysmal ladders as after all it's not rocket science to do some splicing and shipping to replace/repair any broken treads , side ropes etc.
Rgds
J.A.
P.s. another ladder that is often overlooked is the lifeboat boarding ladder that often sits unexamined for months under a canvas cover on the boat embarkation deck, rotting slowly away.

[Red Lead Ted]

As we know John most if not all these days, Pilots in UK waters are ex Captains who choose this path its a lot of hard work putting in the hours of further studying and practical I cant remember one accident dropping or picking up a pilot, But I have seen some very big ships draughts they have to climb and descend. Another day another dollar Terry.

[Ron B Manderson]

I remember at Sandheads ( India) when the pilot was coming aboard. A Bit of a swell running but pilot gets on no prob .
The apprentice the fool grabbed the ladder when the launch was in the dip . It then came up and hit is ass and he rose about 15 feet. His ass must have been sore for weeks .
Ron the batcave

[Chris Allman]

Just a little incident which I remember whilst a Cadet with L+H. I was working with Chippy on one of our two pilot ladders, we were replacing and repairing rungs. Chippy called to me ' give me a spreader ' just as one of the AB's was passing. The AB immediately turned his back on Chippy and dropped his shorts and shreddie's. OH what a sight - happy days

[happy daze john in oz]

On most cruise ships now the pilot goes out through a gun port door made for the purpose.

Recall leaving East London homeward bound in about 63 with UCL.
The pilot boat came along side and the pilot made his way down the Jacobs ladder.
A heavy swell running and just as he went to let go the pilot boat moved away from the ships side caught in the swell.
We did hear his body was never found, but worse still so many bloods looking over the side when it occurred.

[Ivan Cloherty]

On most cruise ships now the pilot goes out through a gun port door made for the purpose.

Recall leaving East London homeward bound in about 63 with UCL.
The pilot boat came along side and the pilot made his way down the Jacobs ladder.
.

Just a wee note John for when you are recounting your stories to other bloods on your travels, a Jacobs ladder is different to a pilot ladder. A pilot ladder has flat steps and a spreader to stop it twisting, a Jacobs ladder has round rungs, very narrow and its construction is normally wire (instead of rope) and when climbing it in the flare of the bow or stern you climb it sideways, otherwise you ain't going anywhere

[happy daze john in oz]

Just a wee note John for when you are recounting your stories to other bloods on your travels, a Jacobs ladder is different to a pilot ladder. A pilot ladder has flat steps and a spreader to stop it twisting, a Jacobs ladder has round rungs, very narrow and its construction is normally wire (instead of rope) and when climbing it in the flare of the bow or stern you climb it sideways, otherwise you ain't going anywhere

Sorry Ivan, just that all we knew in catering was the Jacobs ladder.
But I do recall in Durban we had to use one of those things in life boat drill.
How do you stay on one of those without almost crapping your self.
Who ever designed them obviously never used one.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Sorry Ivan, just that all we knew in catering was the Jacobs ladder.
But I do recall in Durban we had to use one of those things in life boat drill.
How do you stay on one of those without almost crapping your self.
Who ever designed them obviously never used one.

Same as ships John, buggers who design them never sail in them, as said before most naval architects experience of water is a deep puddle.

First time you use a Jacobs ladder you feel like crapping yourself, as no one tells you how to use it correctly, as its amusing for your colleagues seeing your legs and body going at 90 degrees from your hands, using them sideways by hands on one side and then straddling one side using your heels on the rungs keeps it fairly vertical, you get used to it having to read the draught everyday fore and aft at anchorage, if you can't bum a lift on a barge tug for a few ciggies

[Brenda Shackleton]

Hello
My dad used to tell us children about being on the Hoogley River in Calcutta before the War.
The ship was riding high as she was unladen, The Pilot came alongside and called for the ladder to be thrown down. It was , and it didn't reach the Pilot.
A Sailor said that he had thrown the ladder down, but it wouldn't reach.
"Do you know who I am? I am the Hoogley River Pilot."
Sailor replied,"I don't care if you are Pontius Pilate the beep-beep ladder won't reach.".....

As a child, I often wondered what a 'beep-beep ladder' was. Went on the Hoogley a couple of years ago but didn't see one !!
regards
Brenda

[eric fisher]

This thread I can't resist. Three true stories. 1. 1945, In L'Pool scrambled up the rope ladder from dock to deck of Asbjorn moving to the Mersey,almost missed outward bound sailing. Happy!

2. 1950, In Stettin Poland, On Audax. Armed Soviet soldier fell from deck to dock via pilot ladder, severely injured, delayed us leaving for Japan. Army came back looking for our hidden stowaway for few days. Didn't find him, (moved him several times) and stayed aboard, finally took off in Japan later. Scary but Happy!

3. 1956, Falmouth Harbour, S.S. Berna. After the R/O fell from pilot ladder to Harbour and died, I replaced him a few days later and climbed up the same ladder he fell from. Sailed next day for New York. Sad, but helped me decide to quit seafaring one trip later! Cheers, Eric