The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) has launched a new interactive educational tool designed to improve understanding and compliance with the newly revised SOLAS Regulation V/23 for pilot transfers.
The new tool, accessible online as an interactive poster, delivers a visual practical guidance to stakeholders involved in Pilot Transfer Arrangements (PTAs), aiming to support safer boarding operations across the global fleet.
The launch of the interactive poster follows the IMO Maritime Safety Committee’s adoption of updated performance standards for PTAs (MSC 110, June 2025), which now require that non-compliant arrangements must be reported and not used until rectified—a critical shift in accountability for both pilots and ship crew.
As stated, every year, approximately 100,000 trading vessels call at UK ports – the equivalent to nearly 300 vessels every single day, or one every five minutes. These vessels arrive 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, requiring safe, efficient pilot transfer arrangements at all hours and in all weather conditions.
Furthermore, deficiencies in pilot ladders and transfer arrangements can carry serious operational and financial consequences. Vessels with non-compliant or unsafe boarding conditions face immediate delays, as pilots cannot board until the arrangement is rectified.
In some cases, these deficiencies serve as red flags, indicating broader issues with vessel management and may trigger Port State Control (PSC) inspections, during which ships can be detained until issues are resolved.
This is more than just a poster – it’s a life-saving tool. With global regulations tightening, this visual resource enables masters, naval architects, pilots, and port authorities to immediately visualise what compliance looks like, reducing risks and delays in port operations.
This is more than just a poster – it’s a life-saving tool. With global regulations tightening, this visual resource enables masters, naval architects, pilots, and port authorities to immediately visualise what compliance looks like, reducing risks and delays in port operations.
…said Christopher Hoyle, Chairman, UKMPA.
Developed by UKMPA Technical Chair John Slater, member Jonathan Smith Executive Committee member James Musgrove and Kevin Vallance (author of The Pilot Ladder Manual), the poster translates technical requirements into an accessible, interactive format.
Safety during pilot transfers is a shared responsibility. This easily accessible interactive poster reinforces that shared responsibility and helps to minimise costly delays caused by non-compliance—ultimately protecting both lives and the global supply chain.
Safety during pilot transfers is a shared responsibility. This easily accessible interactive poster reinforces that shared responsibility and helps to minimise costly delays caused by non-compliance—ultimately protecting both lives and the global supply chain.
…Hoyle highlighted.
