S.I. No. 55/1993 - Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders and Hoists) Rules, 1993.
S.I. No. 55 of 1993. | ||
MERCHANT SHIPPING (PILOT LADDERS AND HOISTS) RULES, 1993. | ||
I, DAVID ANDREWS, Minister for the Marine, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 427 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 (inserted by section 11 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act, 1952 (No. 29 of 1952)), as amended by section 10 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1966 (No. 20 of 1966) and section 6 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1981 (No. 33 of 1981) and the Communications (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1987 ( S.I. No. 91 of 1987 ), hereby make the following rules: 1. These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders and Hoists) Rules, 1993 and shall come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1994. 2. The Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders) Rules, 1967 ( S.I. No. 107 of 1967 ), are hereby revoked; and the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders and Hoists) Rules, 1983 ( S.I. No. 314 of 1983 ), are hereby revoked in respect of ships on which equipment and arrangements for pilot transfer are installed on or after the 1st day of January, 1994. 3. In these Rules: | ||
"the Minister" means the Minister for the Marine; | ||
"ships" means— | ||
( a ) sea-going ships registered in the State; and | ||
( b ) other sea-going ships while they are within any port in the State or the territorial seas thereof: | ||
provided that these Rules shall not apply to a ship which is within a port in the State or the territorial seas thereof by reason only of stress of weather or of any other circumstance that neither the master, the owner nor the charterer (if any) of the ship could have prevented. | ||
Application 4. (1) Ships engaged on voyages in the course of which pilots are likely to be employed shall be provided with pilot transfer arrangements. | ||
(2) Equipment and arrangements for pilot transfer which are installed on or after the 1st day of January, 1994, shall comply with the requirements of these Rules and with the standards specified in the Recommendation on Pilot Transfer Arrangements adopted by the International Maritime Organisation by resolution A667 (16) on the 19th day of October, 1989, details of which are outlined in the Schedule hereto. | ||
(3) Equipment and arrangements, which are replaced after the 1st day of January, 1994 shall, in so far as is reasonable and practicable, comply with the requirements of these Rules and with the standards aforesaid. | ||
General 5. (1) All arrangements used for pilot transfer shall efficiently fulfil their purpose of enabling pilots to embark and disembark safely. The appliances shall be kept clean, properly maintained and stowed and shall be regularly inspected to ensure that they are safe to use. They shall be used solely for the embarkation and disembarkation of personnel. | ||
(2) The rigging of the pilot transfer arrangements and the embarkation and disembarkation of a pilot shall be supervised by a responsible officer having means of communication with the navigating bridge who shall also arrange for the escort of the pilot by a safe route to and from the navigating bridge. Personnel engaged in rigging and operating any mechanical equipment shall be instructed in the safe procedures to be adopted and the equipment shall be tested prior to use. | ||
Transfer arrangements 6. (1) Arrangements shall be provided to enable the pilot to embark and disembark safely on either side of the ship. | ||
(2) In all ships where the distance from sea level to the point of access to, or egress from, the ship exceeds 9 metres, and when it is intended to embark and disembark pilots by means of the accommodation ladder, or by means of mechanical pilot hoists or other equally safe and convenient means in conjunction with a pilot ladder, the ship shall carry such equipment on each side, unless the equipment is capable of being transferred for use on either side. | ||
(3) Safe and convenient access to, and egress from, the ships shall be provided by either: | ||
( a ) a pilot ladder requiring a climb of not less than 1.5 metres and not more than 9 metres above the surface of the water so positioned and secured that: | ||
(i) it is clear of any possible discharges from the ship; | ||
(ii) it is within the parallel body length of the ship and, as far as is practicable, within the mid-ship half length of the ship; | ||
(iii) each step rests firmly against the ship's side; where constructional features, such as rubbing bands, would prevent the implementation of this provision, special arrangements shall, to the satisfaction of the Minister, be made to ensure that persons are able to embark and disembark safely; | ||
(iv) the single length of pilot ladder is capable of reaching the water from the point of access to, or egress from, the ship and due allowance is made for all conditions of loading and trim of the ship, and for an adverse list of 15 degrees; the securing strongpoints, shackles and securing ropes shall be at least as strong as the side ropes; | ||
( b ) an accommodation ladder in conjunction with the pilot ladder, or other equally safe and convenient means, whenever the distance from the surface of the water to the point of access to the ship is more than 9 metres. The accommodation ladder shall be sited leading aft. When in use, the lower end of the accommodation ladder shall rest firmly against the ship's side within the parallel body length of the ship and, as far as is practicable, within the mid-ship half length and clear of all discharges; or | ||
( c ) a mechanical pilot hoist so located that it is within the parallel body length of the ship and, as far as is practicable, within the midship half length of the ship and clear of all discharges. | ||
Access to the ship's deck 7. (1) Means shall be provided to ensure safe, convenient and unobstructed passage for any person embarking on, or disembarking from, the ship between the head of the pilot ladder, or of any accommodation ladder or other appliance, and the ship's deck. | ||
(2) Where the aforesaid passage is by means of a gateway in the rails or bulwark, adequate handholds shall be provided. | ||
(3) Where the aforesaid passage is by means of a bulwark ladder, two handhold stanchions rigidly secured to the ship's structure at or near their bases and at higher points shall be fitted. The bulwark ladder shall be securely attached to the ship to prevent overturning. | ||
Shipside doors 8. Shipside doors used for pilot transfer shall not open outwards. | ||
Mechanical pilot hoists 9. (1) The mechanical pilot hoists and their ancillary equipment shall be of a type approved by the Minister. The pilot hoist shall be designed to operate as a moving ladder to lift and lower one person on the side of the ship, or as a platform to lift and lower one or more persons on the side of the ship. It shall be of such design and construction as to ensure that the pilot can be embarked and disembarked in a safe manner, including a safe access from the hoist to the deck and vice versa. Such access shall be gained directly by a platform securely guarded by handrails. | ||
(2) Efficient hand gear shall be provided to lower or recover the person or persons carried, and kept ready for use in the event of power failure. | ||
(3) The hoist shall be securely attached to the structure of the ship. Attachment shall not be solely by means of the ship's side rails. Proper and strong attachment points shall be provided for hoists of the portable type on each side of the ship. | ||
(4) If belting is fitted in the way of the hoist position, such belting shall be cut back sufficiently to allow the hoist to operate against the ship's side. | ||
(5) A pilot ladder shall be rigged adjacent to the hoist and available for immediate use so that access to it is available from the hoist at any point of its travel. The pilot ladder shall be capable of reaching the sea level from its own point of access to the ship. | ||
(6) The position on the ship's side where the hoist will be lowered shall be indicated. | ||
(7) An adequate protected stowage position shall be provided for the portable hoist. In very cold weather, to avoid the danger of ice formation, the portable hoist shall not be rigged until its use is imminent. | ||
Associated equipment 10. The following associated equipment shall be kept at hand ready for immediate use when persons are being transferred: | ||
( a ) two man-ropes of not less than 28 millimetres in diameter properly secured to the ship if required by the pilot; | ||
( b ) a lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light; | ||
( c ) a heaving line. | ||
Lighting 11. Adequate lighting shall be provided to illuminate the transfer arrangements overside, the position on deck where a person embarks or disembarks and the controls of the mechanical pilot hoist. | ||
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SCHEDULE | ||
BASED ON: RESOLUTION A.667 (16) ON PILOT TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS ADOPTED ON THE 19TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1989 BY THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION | ||
1. GENERAL | ||
Ship designers shall consider all aspects of pilot transfer arrangements at an early stage in design. Equipment designers and manufacturers shall similarly consider, particularly with respect to the provisions of paragraph 2.1.1.3, and subsections 3.1 and 3.3. | ||
2. PILOT LADDERS | ||
2.1 Position and Construction | ||
2.1.1 Every pilot ladder shall be so positioned and secured that: | ||
.1 it is clear of any possible discharges from the ship; | ||
.2 it is within the parallel body length of the ship and, as far as is practicable, within the midship half length of the ship; and | ||
.3 each step rests firmly against the ship's side. Where constructional features, such as rubbing bands, would prevent the implementation of this provision, special arrangements should, to the satisfaction of the Minister, be made to ensure that persons are able to embark and disembark safely. | ||
2.1.2 Shipside doors used for pilot transfer shall not open outwards. | ||
2.1.3 A single length of pilot ladder shall be used capable of reaching the water from the point of access to, or egress from, the ship and due allowance shall be made for all conditions of loading and trim of the ship, and for an adverse list of 15 degrees. The securing strongpoints, shackles and securing ropes should be at least as strong as the side ropes specified in subsection 2.2 below. | ||
2.1.4 The steps of the pilot ladders shall comply with the following requirements: | ||
.1 if made of hardwood, they shall be made in one piece, free of knots; | ||
.2 if made of material other than hardwood, they shall be of equivalent strength, stiffness and durability to the satisfaction of the Minister; | ||
.3 the four lowest steps may be of rubber of sufficient strength and stiffness or other material to the satisfaction of the Minister; | ||
.4 they shall have an efficient non-slip surface; | ||
.5 they shall be not less than 400 millimetres between the side ropes, 115 millimetres wide and 25 millimetres in depth, excluding any non-slip device or grooving; | ||
.6 they shall be equally spaced not less than 300 millimetres or more than 380 millimetres apart; and | ||
.7 they shall be secured in such a manner that each will remain horizontal. | ||
2.1.5 No pilot ladder shall have more than two replacement steps which are secured in position by a method different from that used in the original construction of the ladder, and any steps so secured shall be replaced as soon as reasonably practicable by steps secured in position by the method used in the original construction of the pilot ladder. When any replacement step is secured to the side ropes of the pilot ladder by means of grooves in the sides of the step, such grooves shall be in the longer sides of the step. | ||
2.1.6 Pilot ladders with more than five steps shall have spreader steps not less than 1.80 metres long provided at such intervals as will prevent the pilot ladder from twisting. The lowest spreader step shall be the fifth step from the bottom of the ladder and the interval between any spreader step and the next shall not exceed nine steps. | ||
2.2 Ropes | ||
2.2.1 The side ropes of the pilot ladder shall consist of two uncovered ropes not less than 18 millimetres in diameter on each side and be continuous with no joins below the top step. | ||
2.2.2 Side ropes shall be made of manila or other material of equivalent strength, durability and grip which has been protected against actinic degradation and is satisfactory to the Minister. | ||
2.2.3 Two man-ropes of not less than 28 millimetres in diameter properly secured to the ship shall be kept at hand ready for use if required. | ||
2.3 Associated equipment | ||
2.3.1 A lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light shall be kept at hand ready for use. | ||
2.3.2 A heaving line shall be kept at hand ready for use. | ||
2.3.3 When required by section 5, stanchions and bulwark ladders shall be provided. | ||
2.3.4 Lighting shall be provided such that both the pilot ladder overside and the position where any person embarks or disembarks on the ship are adequately lit. | ||
3. ACCOMMODATION LADDERS USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH PILOT LADDERS | ||
3.1 The accommodation ladder shall be sited leading aft. When in use, the lower end of the ladder shall rest firmly against the ship's side within the parallel body length of the ship and within the midship half length and clear of all discharges. Equally safe arrangements which might be more suitable for special types of ships may be accepted. | ||
3.2 The length of the accommodation ladder shall be sufficient to ensure that its angle of slope does not exceed 55 degrees. | ||
3.3 The lower platform of the accommodation ladder shall be in a horizontal position when in use. | ||
3.4 Intermediate platforms, if fitted, shall be self-levelling. Treads and steps of the accommodation ladder shall be so designed that an adequate and safe foothold is given at the operative angles. | ||
3.5 The ladder and platforms shall be equipped on both sides with stanchions and rigid handrails, but if handropes are used they shall be tight and properly secured. The vertical space between the handrail or handrope and the stringers of the ladder shall be securely fenced. | ||
3.6 The pilot ladder shall be rigged immediately adjacent to the lower platform of the accommodation ladder and the upper end shall extend at least 2 metres above the lower platform. | ||
3.7 Lighting shall be provided at night such that the full length of the ladder is adequately lit. | ||
3.8 If a trapdoor is fitted in the lower platform to allow access from and to the pilot ladder, the aperture shall not be less than 750 millimetres x 750 millimetres. In this case the after part of the lower platform shall also be fenced as specified in paragraph 3.5 above, and the pilot ladder shall extend above the lower platform to the height of the handrail. | ||
3.9 Accommodation ladders, together with any suspension arrangements or attachments fitted and intended for use in accordance with this recommendation, shall be to the satisfaction of the Minister. | ||
4. MECHANICAL PILOT HOISTS | ||
4.1 Approval, location and maintenance | ||
4.1.1 The mechanical pilot hoist and its ancillary equipment shall be of a type approved by the Minister. The pilot hoist shall be designed to operate as a moving ladder to lift and lower one person on the side of the ship, or as a platform to lift and lower one or more persons on the side of the ship. | ||
4.1.2 The hoist shall be so located that it is within the parallel body length of the ship and, as far as is practicable, within the midship half length of the ship and clear of all discharges. | ||
4.1.3 From a standing position at the control point, it shall be possible for the operator to have the hoist under observation continuously between its highest and lowest working positions. | ||
4.1.4 There shall be on board a copy of the manufacturer's maintenance manual, approved by the Minister, which contains a maintenance log-book. The hoist shall be kept in good order and maintained in accordance with the instructions of the manual. | ||
4.1.5 A record of maintenance and repairs of the hoist shall be entered in the maintenance log-book by the officer responsible for its maintenance. | ||
4.2 Construction of hoist | ||
4.2.1 The working load of a hoist shall be the sum of the weight of the hoist ladder or lift platform and falls in the fully lowered condition and the maximum number of persons which the hoist is designed to carry, the weight of each person being taken as 150 kilogrammes. The maximum complement a hoist is permitted to carry shall be clearly and permanently marked on the hoist. | ||
4.2.2 Every hoist shall be of such construction that, when operating under the working load determined in accordance with paragraph 4.2.1, each component has an adequate factor of safety having regard to the material used, the method of construction and the nature of its duty: | ||
.1 the average lifting and lowering speeds shall be between 15 metres per minute and 21 metres per minute when the pilot hoist is carrying its full working load; | ||
.2 the pilot hoist shall be capable of lifting, lowering and stopping when carrying 2.2 times its working load. | ||
4.2.3 In selecting the materials of construction, regard shall be paid to the conditions under which the hoist will be required to operate. | ||
4.2.4 There shall be safe means of access between the ladder at its upper limit and the deck, and vice versa; such access shall be gained directly by a platform securely guarded by handrails. | ||
4.2.5 Any electrical appliance associated with the ladder section of the hoist shall not be operated at a voltage exceeding 25 volts. | ||
4.2.6 The hoist shall consist of the following main parts: | ||
.1 a mechanically powered winch; | ||
.2 two separate falls; | ||
.3 a ladder or platform consisting of two parts; | ||
.3.1 a rigid upper part for the transportation of any person upwards or downwards; | ||
.3.2 a flexible lower part, consisting of a short length of pilot ladder, which enables any person to climb from the pilot launch or tender to the rigid upper part of the ladder and vice versa. | ||
4.3 Mechanically powered winch | ||
4.3.1 The source of power for the winches shall be electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic. In the case of a pneumatic system, an exclusive air supply shall be provided with adequate arrangements to control its quality. In the case of ships engaged in the carriage of flammable cargoes, the source of power shall not be such as to cause a hazard to the ship. All systems shall be capable of efficient operation under the conditions of vibration, humidity and range of temperature likely to be experienced in the ship in which they are installed. | ||
4.3.2 The winch shall include a brake or other equally effective arrangement (such as a properly constructed worm drive) which is capable of supporting the working load in the event of power failure. The brake or other arrangement shall be capable of supporting the working load when the hand gear is in use. | ||
4.3.3 Efficient hand gear shall be provided to lower or recover, at a reasonable speed, the person or persons carried in the event of power failure. | ||
4.3.4 Any crank handle provided for manual operation shall, when engaged, be so arranged that the power supply is automatically cut off. | ||
4.3.5 Efficient arrangements shall be provided to ensure that the falls wind evenly on to the winch-drums. | ||
4.4 Controls | ||
4.4.1 Hoists shall be fitted with automatic safety devices in order to cut off the power supply when the ladder comes against any stop so as to avoid overstressing the falls or any other part of the hoist: provided that in the case of hoists operated by pneumatic power, the safety cut-out device may be omitted if the maximum torque available from the air motor cannot result in overstressing of the falls or other parts of the hoist. | ||
4.4.2 All hoist controls shall incorporate an emergency stop to cut off the power supply and, in addition, an emergency stop switch within easy reach of the person or persons carried. | ||
4.4.3 The hoist controls shall be clearly and durably marked to indicate "lift", "stop" and "lower". The manner in which these controls operate shall correspond to the manner in which the hoist operates and shall automatically return to the "stop" position when released. | ||
4.4.4 The hoist shall be securely attached to the structure of the ship. Attachment shall not be solely by means of the ship's side rails. Proper and strong attachment points shall be provided for hoists of the portable type on each side of the ship. A portable hoist shall be equipped with an interlock that prevents operation of the hoist when the hoist is not correctly installed. | ||
4.5 Falls | ||
4.5.1 Two separate wire falls shall be used, made of flexible steel rope of adequate strength and resistant to corrosion in a salt-laden atmosphere. | ||
4.5.2 The falls shall be securely attached to the winch-drums and the ladder. These attachments shall be capable of withstanding a proof load of not less than 2.2 times the load on such attachments. The falls shall be maintained at a sufficient relative distance from one another, so as to reduce the possibility of the ladder becoming twisted. | ||
4.5.3 The falls shall be of sufficient length to allow for all conditions of freeboard likely to be encountered in service and to retain at least three turns on the winch-drums with the hoist in its lowest position. | ||
4.5.4 The falls shall be so arranged that the ladder or lift platform remains level if one fall breaks. | ||
4.5.5 A minimum safety factor of 6 shall be applied to the falls. The devices for attaching the falls to the winch shall be capable of supporting 2.2 times the working load with the falls run all the way out. | ||
4.6 Ladder or platform section | ||
4.6.1 The rigid ladder part shall be not less than 2.50 metres in length and be equipped in such a way that the person carried can maintain a safe position whilst being hoisted or lowered. Such part shall be provided with: | ||
.1 a sufficient number of steps to provide a safe and easy access to and from the platform reffered to in paragraph 4.6.2; | ||
.2 safe handholds capable of being used under all conditions including extremes of temperature, together with non-slip steps; | ||
.3 a spreader at the lower end of not less than 1.80 metres. The ends of the spreader shall be provided with rollers which shall roll freely on the ship's side during the whole operation of embarking or disembarking; | ||
.4 an effective guard ring, suitably padded, so positioned as to provide physical support for the person carried without hampering movement; | ||
.5 adequate means for communication between the person carried and the operator and the responsible officer who supervises the embarkation or disembarkation of the person carried. | ||
4.6.2 A hoist designed to operate as a lift platform shall have a platform: | ||
.1 with a non-slip surface at least 750 millimetres by 750 millimetres exclusive of the surface area of any trapdoor in the floor; | ||
.2 limited to one person per square metre of floor area or fraction thereof, exclusive of the area of any trapdoor; | ||
.3 with a trapdoor, if provided, at least 750 millimetres by 750 millimetres, so arranged that a pilot ladder may be rigged through the trapdoor, extending above the platform to the height of the handrail; | ||
.4 enclosed by a guardrail at least 1 metre above the surface of the platform. At least two immediate rails shall be provided between the floor and the guardrail. The rails shall be set back from the edge of the platform at least 50 millimetres. Each gate in the rails shall have a latch that can keep the gate securely closed. | ||
4.6.3 Below the rigid part mentioned in paragraph 4.6.1, a section of flexible ladder comprising eight steps shall be provided and constructed in accordance with the requirements of section 2, except that it need not be equipped with spreader steps; however, it shall have appropriate fittings at the top for securing it to the rigid ladder. | ||
4.6.4 The side ropes of the flexible ladder section shall be in accordance with subsection 2.2. Each rope shall be continuous with no joins below the top step. | ||
4.6.5 The steps of the flexible ladder section and those of the rigid ladder section shall be in the same vertical line, of the same width, spaced vertically equidistant and placed as close as practicable to the ship's side. The handholds of both parts of the ladder section shall be aligned as closely as possible. | ||
4.6.6 If belting is fitted in way of the hoist position, such belting shall be cut back sufficiently to allow the hoist to be placed as close as practicable to the ship's side. | ||
4.7 Operation of the hoist | ||
4.7.1 Rigging, testing and use of the hoist shall be supervised by a responsible officer of the ship. Any person engaged in rigging and operating the hoist shall have been instructed in the rigging and operating procedures as contained in the approved manual and the equipment shall be tested prior to use. | ||
4.7.2 Lighting shall be provided so that the hoist overside, its controls and the position on the ship where the person carried embarks or disembarks is adequately lit. The equipment specified in subsection 2.3 shall be kept at hand ready for use. | ||
4.7.3 A pilot ladder complying with the provisions of section 2 shall be rigged adjacent to the hoist and available for immediate use so that access to it is available from the hoist during any point of its travel. The pilot ladder shall be capable of reaching the sea level from its own point of access to the ship. | ||
4.7.4 The position on the ship's side where the hoist will be lowered shall be indicated. | ||
4.7.5 An adequate protected stowage position shall be provided for the portable hoist. In very cold weather, to avoid the danger of ice formation, the portable hoist shall not be rigged until use is imminent. | ||
4.8 Testing | ||
4.8.1 Every new hoist shall be subjected to an overload test of 2.2 times the working load. During this test the load shall be lowered a distance of not less than 5 metres and the brake applied to stop the hoist drum. Where a winch is not fitted with a brake, and depends upon an equally effective arrangement, as prescribed in paragraph 4.3.2, to support the load in the event of power failure, the load shall be lowered at the maximum permitted lowering speed and a power failure shall be simulated to show that the hoist will stop and support the load. | ||
4.8.2 An operating test of 10 per cent. overload shall be carried out after installation on board the ship to the satisfaction of the Minister. | ||
4.8.3 Subsequent examinations of the hoists under working conditions shall be made at each annual or intermediate survey and at each renewal survey for the ship's safety equipment certificate. | ||
5. ACCESS TO DECK | ||
Means shall be provided to ensure safe, convenient and unobstructed passage for any person embarking on, or disembarking from, the ship between the head of the pilot ladder, or of any accommodation ladder or other appliance provided pursuant to paragraph 4.2.4 above and the ship's deck. Where such passage is by means of: | ||
.1 a gateway in the rails or bulwark, adequate handholds shall be provided; | ||
.2 a bulwark ladder, such ladder shall be securely attached to the ship to prevent overturning. Two handhold stanchions shall be fitted at the point of embarking on or disembarking from the ship on each side which shall be not less than 0.70 metres or more than 0.80 metres apart. Each stanchion shall be rigidly secured to the ship's structure at or near its base and also at a higher point, shall be not less than 32 millimetres in diameter and shall extend not less than 1.20 metres above the top of the bulwarks. Stanchions or handrails shall not be attached to the bulwark ladder. | ||
GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 26th day of February, 1993. | ||
DAVID ANDREWS, | ||
Minister for the Marine. | ||
EXPLANATORY NOTE. | ||
The Rules revoke the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders) Rules, 1967 ( S.I. No. 107 of 1967 ). The Rules also revoke the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders and Hoists) Rules, 1983 ( S.I. No. 314 of 1983 ) in respect of ships on which equipment and arrangements for pilot transfer are installed on or after the 1st of January, 1994. | ||
The Rules will bring into force a 1991 amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 specifying more detailed requirements in relation to provision of pilot ladders and hoists. |