STEP CHANGE FOR SAFETY GLOBAL SHARING SEP 2013 - PILOT LADDERS | Page 7

GLOBAL SHARING MONTHLY NEWSLETTER ARM FRACTURED WHEN RIGGING PILOT LADDER
A large inbound vessel was approaching the pilot station in a gale and heavy rain and was instructed to prepare combination ladders on both sides. The C/O and deck crew held a toolbox meeting and prepared the port (weather) side combination ladder first. The gangway was rigged at deck level, and then lowered to the proper height. Next, a seaman wearing all appropriate PPE, including an inflatable life vest and safety harness with lifeline, descended to the bottom platform of the gangway to monitor the lowering of the pilot ladder. After confirming the pilot ladder was 1.5 metres above the water, he began to secure the pilot ladder to two sunken cleats in the hull with an 8mm rope lashing. When he inserted his right hand into the after sunken cleat to thread the rope through it, a wave caught the bottom of the pilot ladder and jerked it astern. The step in the way of the sunken cleat moved aft and hit the seaman’s right wrist, whilst his han