A dedicated pilot boat should comply with the following
requirements. The requirements refer to the appropriate Sections of
the Code.
*5.2.1.3 The normal means of access from the open
deck to accommodation space provided for the use of pilots should
not be a forward facing weathertight door;
*5.4 Pilot boarding activities should be visible
from the pilot boat helmsman's position. Visibility should be adequate
in both the vertical and horizontal planes;
5.4.8.3 Where a vessel is required to have efficient
storm shutters for all front and side facing wheelhouse windows, this
can be moderated on the basis of recorded safe operating experience
of pilot boats in their particular area of operation;
*7.3 A pilot boat should not be fitted with a
petrol engine;
*11 A seagoing pilot boat should carry an approved
stability information booklet which meets the requirements of Section 11.3.
A non-seagoing pilot boat should undergo a heeling test in the
fully loaded condition and be demonstrated to meet the requirements
of Section 11.4.
12 A dedicated pilot boat need not be marked with
a freeboard mark;
*13 Pilot boats are to be provided with immersion
suits for all persons on board, meeting the requirements of 13.5.2.1, 13.5.2.2.
4 parachute white illuminating flares should be provided for
emergency use in rescues at night (the use of pyrotechnics must be
considered having regard to the environment in which the pilot boat
is being operated e.g. where a flammable atmosphere could be present);
6 red rocket parachute flares should be provided;
2
line throwing appliances (half a set) should be provided. This requirement
may be waived for pilot boats operating in categorised waters only,
subject to a satisfactory risk assessment by the operator.
*19.5 A searchlight should be provided which is
permanently mounted so as to be capable of illuminating the ships
side in way of the pilot ladder or the sea area around the boat;
20 When the Code requirements for anchors and
cables are considered excessive, the competent harbour authority should
seek the approval of the Certifying Authority for alternative provisions
appropriate to the size of vessel and its area of operation;
*21 For seagoing pilot boats, individual shock
absorbent seating with headrests, footrests and movable armrests should
be provided for all members of the crew and the pilots to be carried.
Seat belts should be provided for the safety of seated passengers
and crew. For non-seagoing pilot boats, seating, commensurate with
the vessels expected operating conditions, should be provided for
all passengers and crew;
*22 For the safe access of personnel, the minimum
width of side deck inboard of the bulwark or rails or toe-rail on
new vessels should be 400mm but regard should be given to the height
and shape of adjacent superstructure or deckhouse. Side decks should
be adequately illuminated;
*22.4 An efficient, uninterrupted /continuous
safety rail system for clip-on safety harnesses should be provided.
The system should allow the harness traveller to move freely and without
adjustment over the full length of the safety rail. The rail system,
its attachment to the vessel structure and the clip-on safety harnesses
should be designed, constructed, installed, tested and maintained
to appropriate personal protective equipment standards, to the satisfaction
of the Certifying Authority;
*22.8 Rescue retrieval equipment should be provided
as follows:-
-
.1 transom steps and/or ladder or equivalent side
ladder or scrambling net;
-
.2 at least 2 buoyant lifelines of not less than
18 metres in length. Each of the lifelines should have a quoit, or
similar efficient throwing device, of appropriate weight secured to
one end;
-
.3 efficient mechanical means for the retrieval
of any person who falls overboard and means to bring the person in
the water to the retrieval point. Where practicable, the arrangement
should enable the person to be retrieved in the horizontal position,
in order to reduce the risk of heart failure associated with hypothermia;
The quality of materials, design and workmanship of construction
of the mechanical means of retrieval should ensure that it can be
rapidly deployed and will operate efficiently in an emergency. The
efficiency of the equipment should be ensured by regular maintenance
and testing. (Functional tests are detailed in .6 below.);
-
.4 all ladders and outside fittings such as overside
steps or booms etc. should be of suitable materials, design and workmanship.
Such equipment should be rigged onboard and inspected at regular intervals;
-
.5 arrangements should be provided to protect
a person in the water from injury by the propeller(s). When it is
impractical to fit a guard to the propeller(s), consideration should
be given to alternative measures such as the fitting of a drop down
gate/ladder to screen the propeller(s) or operational procedures which
include the means to stop the propeller immediately. (The arrangements
should be approved by the Certifying Authority for the pilot boat);
-
.6 rescue retrieval equipment should be demonstrated
by functional tests carried out under controlled safe conditions,
to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority. The functional tests
should include a simulation of the pilot boat in the minimum manned
condition with the coxswain and deckhand onboard and the event when
the deckhand falls overboard and is recovered. (In this particular
simulation, the deckhand can be assumed to be conscious);
It is recommended that competent harbour authorities (or pilotage
provider, in the absence of a competent harbour authority) require
manoverboard retrieval exercises to be conducted by each pilot boat
crew every 6 months;
23 In addition to the medical stores required
by Section 23, a compact stretcher should
be carried on a pilot vessel.
*26 Subject to Marine Guidance Note MGN50 (M)
- Manning of Pilot Boats:-
A pilot boat should be manned by a minimum of 2 adult persons,
namely a coxswain, and a deck hand who can assist the pilot when boarding
or landing. The competent harbour authority or owner(s)/managing agent(s)
of the pilot boat should be satisfied as to the competence and fitness
for duty of these persons; and
All pilot boat crew members
should:
-
.1 hold a Proficiency in Medical First Aid Certificate
issued by an MCA approved training provider equivalent predecessor
(i.e. Department for Transport First Aid Certificate); or
-
.2 hold a First Aid Certificate issued in accordance
with regulation 3(2) of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations
1981 (SI 1981 No.917); or
-
.3 have received training in emergency first aid
in accordance with regulation 3(2) of the Health and Safety (First
Aid) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981 No.917) as described in paragraphs
28 and 29 under Regulation 3(2) of the Health and Safety Commission
publication "First Aid at Work - Approved Code of Practice" (ISBN
0 11 885536 0);
A dedicated pilot boat should be issued with a pilot boat certificate.