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‘We
are our own biggest enemies’
PILOTS TOO OFTEN ACCEPT INFERIOR PILOT LADDERS
IN THE RESPONSIBLE WORK THAT PILOTS PERFORM AT SEA, THE MOMENT OF TRANSFER FROM TENDER OR LAUNCH TO THE SEAGOING VESSEL (AND VICE VERSA) IS A CRUCIAL MOMENT. SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST HERE. HOWEVER, AN ANNUAL SURVEY BY THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION (IMPA) SHOWS THAT IN MANY CASES, PILOT LADDERS FAIL TO MEET THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. IN THE NETHERLANDS, PILOT ARIE PALMERS ADVOCATES A MORE ASSERTIVE STANCE TOWARDS SHIPS EQUIPPED WITH SUBPAR PILOT LADDERS. “WE ARE OUR OWN BIGGEST ENEMIES.”
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NAVIGATOR NL 2019 N°19