Shipping Company Fu Ye Shipping, operator of the general cargo ship Boshi 58, and the ship’s master have been prosecuted, convicted, and fined for a serious ladder-related accident that injured a maritime pilot.
After pleading guilty, the ship master and the company were fined $5,300 and $32,000, respectively for failing to ensure pilot transfer arrangements complied with the relevant Marine Order and the Navigation Act 2012.
On 25 May 2023, a pilot attempting to embark the Panama-flagged general cargo ship Boshi 58 was seriously injured when the pilot ladder broke during the transfer.
It was established that the pilot ladder had not been checked regularly and had been improperly stored, leading to degradation to the extent that it became unsafe.
AMSA Executive Director Operations Michael Drake said these were preventable accidents that placed the lives of seafarers at significant and unacceptable risk.
“Pilots rely on a ship’s master and crew to properly maintain, stow and rig pilot ladders, and neglecting a pilot ladder can have deadly consequences.”
Mr Drake also highlighted common issues with pilot ladders including instances where they have fallen short of accommodation ladders when used in combination, unsafe use of shackles and failure to regularly inspect, maintain and store pilot ladders appropriately.
“If you own, operate or are the master of a ship, the safety of everyone using the pilot ladder is in your responsibility.”
