Standards For Pilot Vessels - TP 10531 E - Archived

PDF Version

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Table of Contents

• Visibility
• Manoeuvrability
• Embarkation Deck
• Equipment
• Personal Equipment
• Manoverboard Recovery

The equipment described in this standard is to be considered as being the minimum necessary for the transportation, embarkation and disembarkation of marine pilots to and from ships in Canadian waters regardless of whether the service is compulsory or non-compulsory.

Recognizing the varied conditions under which pilots are required to be transferred in Canadian waters, nothing in this Standard will inhibit the fitting or use of supplementary equipment where considered necessary by the Pilotage Authority, the Safety Committee or Canadian Coast Guard.

Any vessel owned or chartered by a pilotage authority should be equipped according to the standard or be capable of performance which is no less safe and efficient as if it were so equipped. The decision as to equivalency with the standard will be determined by the Steamship Inspector where the vessel is at that time located, such decision will be based on a practical demonstration and will be appealable to the Board of Steamship Inspection.

Wherever it is necessary to charter a vessel for limited periods, the vessel shall comply with the standards so far as is reasonable and practicable and in this regard additional manning standards may be considered as equivalency and in any case the boat will hold a valid safety inspection certificate. Whenever a pilot boat does not comply with this standard, pilots must be informed prior to boarding and shall be the sole judge as to whether or not the deficiency would render pilot transfer unsafe.

Visibility 

The focal point for determining the visibility criteria is the eye of the operator and is a movable point provided only that the operator has hands-on (this is not intended to mean continuous physical contact where this is not necessary) control of engines and helm at all times. Where it is not possible to achieve the Standard with one person in the wheelhouse, a second watchkeeper may be substituted. (For example, when a tug is being used as a relief boat.)

The conning position is that position from which the vessel is normally controlled and navigated.

There shall be 360° unobstructed visibility for a person located within one metre of the conning position.

It must be possible to achieve sufficient vertical visibility for a person conning the top of the pilot ladder.

The embarkation/disembarkation deck shall be clearly visible to a person located at the conning position. The sea shall be visible at 1 metres from the ship's side at the man overboard recovery position, or from a secondary conning position where such is provided.

Manoeuvrability 

The helm, engines and all shiphandling controls shall be located at the conning position, unless at least two bridge watchkeepers are provided.

Embarkation Deck 

The embarkation deck shall be clear of obstructions to the vessel's side and shall provide a clear area of not less than 1 m2. A bulwark which does not impede access will not be considered as being an obstruction.

The embarkation deck shall be provided with suitable handrails or other equivalent arrangement which will provide a secure holding point for the pilot and deck hand. Such arrangement will not impede or in any way interfere with the movement of the pilot to and from the pilot ladder.

Safe access shall be provided between the cabin or wheelhouse and the embarkation deck by the provision of adequate non-skid deck area not less than 30 cm in width, suitable lighting and secure handrails permanently affixed to the super-structure of the vessel.

Equipment 

The vessel shall be equipped in compliance with the regulations for her Class but shall in addition, if not required by the regulations, be provided with:

• marine abandonment immersion suits for the complement but where such suit is not required by regulation, an anti-exposure work suit may be carried in lieu;
• a means of attaching the crew safety harness to the boat;
• A VHF radio with marine bands and certificated operator;
• a loud hailer;
• a means of communication between the conning position, deck and engine room unless the engine room is unmanned or not designed to be manned;
• an efficient searchlight capable of illuminating a 1 m² white painted board at 100 m range on a dark night with a clear atmosphere;
• a means of illumination of the sea within 5 m of the vessel (20 dalx);
• a suitable rescue crook or boat hook of sufficient length.

Personal Equipment 

• pilots when transferring shall wear the anti-exposure work suit or a suitable Personal Flotation Device that is fitted with personal locator light and whistle, and which incorporates a means of attachment for retrieval, in lieu of a life-jacket;
• crew members working on a the exposed transfer deck of the pilot vessel shall wear a suitable PFD and safety harness.

Manoverboard Recovery 

• Every pilot boat crew shall be capable of recovering an unconscious person from the water in a safe and expeditious manner.
• This may be achieved by manual or mechanical means and will be demonstrated to the Steamship Inspector at the same time as the lifesaving equipment survey, by lifting on board a man-shaped 75 kilo object from a floating position beside the vessel. The exercise can be performed in calm conditions and must be concluded in not more than one minute. The recovery deck shall provide 2 m² of usable deck space to facilitate rescue operations.