Pilot Ladder & Pilot Transfer Arrangement SOLAS Compliance Tool

SOLAS V/23 • Pilot Ladder • Combination Arrangement • Access • Securing • Manropes • Lifebuoy • Lighting • Winch Reel • 2028 Transition

Pilot Ladder & Pilot Transfer Arrangement SOLAS Compliance Tool

Screen current pilot-transfer arrangements against the SOLAS V/23 framework and the IMO recommendation in force in 2026, while separately showing readiness for the mandatory 2028 performance standards. Simple mode gives a fast pre-transfer check. Advanced verifies dimensional geometry, combination arrangements, deck access, securing, associated equipment, ladder condition, winch-reel controls and the major 2028 lifecycle changes without mixing future requirements into today’s compliance result.

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Need dimensional and 2028 transition checks? Click Advanced above.Advanced checks step geometry, spreaders, side ropes, combination-ladder geometry, access handholds, winch securing, safe ship-side approach, equipment and the new 2028 inspection/replacement regime.

Fast10 primary controls

Primary resultCurrent 2026 compliance screen

Separate2028 readiness is not counted as a current deficiency

Fast Pilot Transfer Screen

Use the actual rigged arrangement and boarding height for the upcoming transfer, not the vessel’s nominal design condition.

Pilot-ladder climb from waterm to point of access.

Arrangement rigged

Pilot ladder certification / identification

Ladder condition & step/spreader geometry

Securing & clear ship-side position

Deck access / handholds

Associated equipment

Lighting / responsible officer / bridge comms

Combination arrangement condition

Possible discharges / pilot-boat approach

Rigged Arrangement & Pilot Ladder

Climb from water to point of accessm.

Arrangement

Number of ladder steps

Distance between inner side-rope surfacesmm; current recommendation ≥400.

Step widthmm; current recommendation ≥115.

Step depth / thicknessmm; current recommendation ≥25.

Step spacingmm; 310–350.

Lowest spreader step number from bottom

Spreader lengthm; ≥1.8 where required.

Maximum interval between spreaderssteps; current recommendation ≤9.

Side-rope diametermm. Current recommendation ≥18; 2028 standard 20–22.

Replacement steps secured differentlyCurrent recommendation permits no more than two temporarily; 2028 prohibits step/spreader repair or replacement.

Combination Arrangement

Only applies when Combination Arrangement is selected. Current recommendation: accommodation ladder slope ≤45°, width ≥600 mm, lower platform horizontal/secured and ≥5 m above sea, pilot ladder immediately adjacent and extending ≥2 m above the lower platform.

Accommodation ladder slopedegrees.

Accommodation ladder widthmm.

Lower platform height above waterm.

Pilot ladder extension above lower platformm.

Horizontal ladder-to-platform distancem; 0.10–0.20.

Lower platform horizontal & secured

Trapdoor arrangement

Accommodation ladder rests firmly against ship side

Access, Position & Securing

Handhold / stanchion clear spacingm; current recommendation 0.70–0.80.

Handhold / stanchion diametermm; current recommendation ≥32.

Handhold height above bulwarkm; current recommendation ≥1.2.

Unobstructed ship side for pilot-boat approachm; recommendation 6 m, subject to specified special-ship exception.

Clear of possible ship discharges

Within parallel body / suitable ship-side position

Independent strong-point securing

Winch reel relied upon to support ladder in use

Winch securing point inboard distancemm; current recommendation ≥915 for upper-deck winch-reel arrangement.

Shipside door opens outward

Associated Equipment & Operations

Manrope diametermm; current SOLAS 28–32 when required by pilot.

Lifebuoy with self-igniting light ready

Heaving line ready

Adequate lighting overside & at deck access

Responsible officer supervising

Communication with navigation bridge

Pilot ladder certified / permanently identified

Ladder clean, maintained, stowed & inspected

2028 Performance-Standard Readiness

These adopted requirements take effect from 1 January 2028 under MSC.572(110)/MSC.576(110), with phased application for existing arrangements. They are shown separately and do not create a 2026 current-compliance failure in this tool.

Ladder age from manufacturemonths; 2028 removal by 36 months from manufacture or 30 months in service, whichever first.

Ladder age in servicemonths.

Strong points / shackles / securing ropes ≥48 kN

Spare compliant pilot ladder carried

Spare compliant manropes carried

Before / after each-use inspection implemented

Detailed inspection every 3 months implemented

Maintenance plan / inspection log ready

Manufacturer / serial / date / approval markings ready

Any repaired/replacement ladder steps or spreaders remain

Transfer Readiness Checks

Actual boarding height verifiedRigging matches current draft, trim and sea level. Pre-use ladder inspection completeSteps, ropes, spreaders, seizings/chocks and contamination checked. Strong points / securing arrangement checkedLadder load is not placed on an unsuitable reel or weak point. Access / handholds physically checkedSafe transition between ladder and deck confirmed. Pilot-boat approach area checkedDischarges, belting, rubbing bands and obstructions reviewed. Associated equipment stagedRequired rescue/transfer equipment is immediately available. Responsible officer & bridge communications assignedSupervision and escort arrangements confirmed. Local pilot / port requirements checkedPort, pilotage and company requirements reviewed separately.

Safety and compliance limitation: this calculator is a screening/cross-check tool. It does not approve a pilot transfer arrangement, replace the current SOLAS text, IMO Required Boarding Arrangements poster, flag/class requirements, pilotage-provider requirements, manufacturer certification or the Master’s responsibility. A pilot or other person should not use an arrangement believed to be unsafe or non-compliant. Local requirements can be more restrictive.

Regulatory basis used: current screen follows SOLAS V/23 and IMO resolution A.1045(27), as amended by A.1108(29), including the 1.5–9 m pilot-ladder climb band, combination arrangement above 9 m, ladder geometry, safe access, associated equipment, lighting and winch-reel securing principles. The separate future panel uses MSC.572(110) and MSC.576(110), adopted in 2025 for entry into force on 1 January 2028, including new mandatory performance standards for design, inspection, maintenance, replacement and familiarization. Existing arrangements have phased application provisions.

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