Vessel Boarding Facilities – Panama Canal
Boarding facilities are an absolute necessity to ensure safety of Panama Canal operations, personnel, and others (including Class surveyors, Vetting inspectors, PSC/Flag authorities etc) using these facilities while in Canal waters. Poorly constructed, installed, maintained, or operated boarding facilities are not acceptable for use in Canal waters.
- The pilot ladder must be of a continuous length, extending at least 2 meters above the lower platform.
- No rails, bars, or beams should obstruct the pilot’s ability to grasp the side ropes or stand on steps until they reach the level of the lower platform.
- Inboard railings on platforms fitted with a trapdoor must not obstruct the pilot ladder.
- Accommodation ladders must be secured to ship’s side.
- ∙ If the pilot ladder is stored on a reel, the ladder must be secured to strongpoints on deck, and the reel locked separately.
- The lower platform of the accommodation ladder must be horizontal.
- The pilot ladder steps must rest firmly against the ship’s hull.
- The pilot must not be required to lean outwards to pass through the trapdoor access way.
For your reference see the diagram and photograph below (click to zoom).
Vessels that arrive at Panama Canal waters with unsafe or inadequate boarding facilities are required to correct such deficiencies prior to proceeding to dock or transit. Vessels that do not comply with these requirements may experience delays and additional charges.
Remind you that unsafe pilot ladder or accommodation ladder and inadequate boarding facilities are deficiencies which may cause the application of high impact disruption charges ranging between US $49,000.00 – US $250,000.00 depending on vessel size.
At Cross Roads Agencies as part of our commitment to safeguarding human health and “zero-tolerance to accidents” policy, we have created partnership with Captain Nemo offering top quality MED / SOLAS approved Pilot and Embarkation (rope) ladders certified by IACS Member Register.
For any further information or clarification, feel free to contact us.
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