Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders and Hoists) Rules, 1983.
Statutory Instruments
Source: Statutory Instruments

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paragraphs: These Rules may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders and Hoists) Rules, 1983, and shall come into operation on the 1st day of December, 1983.
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paragraphs: (1) In these Rules "the Minister" means the Minister for Transport.
(2) The Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders) Rules, 1967 ( S.I. No. 107 of 1967 ), shall not apply to ships registered in the State, and to other ships while they are within the State or the territorial waters thereof.
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paragraphs: These Rules apply to—
( a ) sea-going ships registered in the State; and
( b ) other sea-going ships while they are within the State or the territorial waters thereof:
Provided that these Rules shall not apply to a ship which is within a port in the State or the territorial waters 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.
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paragraphs: For the purpose of these Rules the ships to which these Rules apply shall be arranged in the same classes in which ships are arranged for the purposes of the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Rules, 1983, ( S.I. No. 302 of 1983 ) and any references in these Rules to a ship of any class shall be construed accordingly.
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paragraphs: (1) Every ship of classes I, II, II (A), VII, VII (T), VII (A), VIII, VIII (A) and VIII (A) (T), and every ship of Class X, being a ship as regards which the distance from the water to the point of access to the vessel exceeds in normal operating conditions, 2.5 metres, shall be provided by the owner with a pilot ladder which shall comply with the requirements of Rule 6 of these Rules.
(2) Every ship of Classes III to VI inclusive and of IX, IX (A), IX (A) (T), XI, and XII, shall be provided with a pilot ladder (described in paragraph (i) of this Rule) while engaged on any voyage during the course of which a pilot is likely to be employed.
(3) (i) In every ship to which paragraph (1) of this Rule applies, where the distance from the sea level to the point of access to the ship is more than 9 metres, access from the pilot ladder to, or egress from the ship shall be by means of an accommodation ladder provided on each side of the ship, unless a single accommodation ladder capable of being transferred from one side of the ship to the other, or some other equally safe and convenient means is provided.
(ii) Where an accommodation ladder is provided pursuant to these Rules, it shall be sited so that, when used in conjunction with a pilot ladder for embarking or disembarking officials and other persons, the lower end of the accommodation ladder rests firmly against the side of the ship as near to the mid-length of the ship as is practicable and leading aft, and in addition to the foregoing, precautions shall be taken to bowse-in such accommodation ladder falls against the roll of the vessel.
(iii) where an accommodation ladder provided pursuant to these Rules is used in conjunction with a pilot ladder, the pilot ladder shall be rigged immediately adjacent to the lower platform of the accommodation ladder so that the pilot ladder's upper end extends at least 2 metres above the accommodation ladder's lower platform.
(4) All mechanical pilot hoists (hereinafter referred to as "hoists") if fitted in relation to an accommodation ladder provided pursuant to these Rules shall comply with Rules 7 and 8 of these Rules.
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paragraphs: (1) The master of any ship to which these Rules apply shall ensure that each pilot ladder provided in the ship shall be efficient for the purpose of enabling officials and other persons to embark and disembark safely, and shall be kept clean and in good order. Such ladder shall be used only by officials and other persons while a ship is arriving at or leaving a port, and for the embarkation and disembarkation of pilots.
(2) Every pilot ladder referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule shall be positioned and secured so that:
( a ) it is clear of any possible discharges from the ship concerned;
( b ) it is clear of the finer lines and as far as practicable at the mid-length of such ship but in no circumstances shall it be positioned so that a pilot boat could pass or run the risk of passing underneath any (overhanging) part of such ship's structure;
( c ) each step rests firmly against such ship's side and, if belting is fitted in way of this position, such belting shall be cut back sufficiently to comply with this requirement;
( d ) the person using it can gain safe and convenient access to such ship after climbing not less than 1.5 metres and not more than 9 metres.
(3) As regards any ship to which these Rules apply a single length of pilot ladder shall be used capable of reaching the water from the point of access to such ship and due allowance shall be made for all conditions of loading and trim of such ship.
(4) The steps of a pilot ladder referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule shall:
( a ) be made of ash, oak, elm, or teak or other hardwood or other material of equivalent strength, stiffness and durability and the four lower steps may be of rubber or other material of equivalent strength, stiffness and durability;
( b ) be made in one piece, and in the case of wooden steps, free of knots;
( c ) have an efficient non-slip surface;
( d ) be not less than 480 millimetres long, 115 millimetres wide and 25 millimetres in depth, excluding any non-slip device or grooving;
( e ) be equally spaced not less than 300 millimetres nor more than 380 millimetres apart; and
( f ) be secured in such a manner that each of the steps will remain horizontal;
and in addition to the foregoing—
(i) no such 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 such original construction; and
(ii) when any replacement step is secured to the side ropes of such pilot ladder by means of grooves in the sides of the step, such grooves shall be in the longer sides of the step.
(5) The side ropes of a pilot ladder referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule shall consist of two manilla ropes not less than 18 millimetres in diameter, one rope being placed on either side and each such rope shall be left uncovered by any other material, and shall be continuous with no joins below the top step.
(6) As regards a pilot ladder referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule—
( a ) two man-ropes of not less than 20 millimetres in diameter properly secured to the ship shall be provided; and
( b ) a safety line and harness shall be kept at hand ready for use if required; and
( c ) a lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light shall be kept at hand ready for use; and
( d ) a heaving line shall be kept at hand ready for use if required; and
( e ) spreaders, between 1.8 and 2 metres long, made of ash, oak, elm or teak or other hardwood or other material of equivalent strength, stiffness, and durability, made in one piece, and in the case of wooden spreaders, free of knots, shall be provided at such intervals as will prevent the ladder from twisting and the lowest spreader shall be on the fifth step from the bottom of the ladder, and the interval between any spreader and the next shall not exceed nine steps; and
( f ) means shall be provided to ensure safe and convenient passage for any person embarking on, or disembarking from the ship concerned between the head of the pilot ladder, or of any accommodation ladder or other appliance provided pursuant to Rule 5 (3) of these Rules, and the ship's deck; and
( g ) where such passage is by means of a gateway in the rails or bulwark of the ship concerned, adequate handholds shall be provided; and
( h ) where the passage referred to in subparagraph (f) of this paragraph is by means of a bulwark ladder, such ladder shall be securely attached to the bulwark rail or landing platform and two hand-hold 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 metre nor more than 0.80 metre 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 40 millimetres in diameter and shall extend not less than 1.20 metres above the top of the bulwarks, and stanchions or handrails shall not be attached to the bulwark ladder; and
( i ) lighting shall be provided such that both the pilot ladder overside and also the position where any person embarks on the ship shall be adequately lit; and
( j ) means shall be provided to enable the pilot ladder to be used, in accordance with the requirements of this Rule on either side of the ship.
(7) The master of a ship to which these Rules apply shall ensure that the rigging of pilot ladders and the embarkation and disembarkation of persons thereby shall be supervised by a responsible officer of the ship.
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paragraphs: (1) The owner of a ship to which these Rules apply shall ensure that a hoist, if provided, and its ancillary equipment, shall be of a type approved by the Minister, and such hoist shall be of such design and construction as to ensure that any person can be embarked and disembarked in a safe manner, including a safe access from the hoist to the deck and from the deck to the hoist which shall be used solely for the embarkation and disembarkation of pilots, and of officials and other persons while a ship is arriving at or leaving a port.
(2) The working load of a hoist referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule shall be the sum of the weight of the hoist ladder 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 being 150 kg.
(3) Every hoist referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule shall be of such construction that, when operating under the working load determined in accordance with paragraph (2) of this Rule, each component shall have an adequate factor of safety having regard to the material used, the method of construction and the nature of its duty.
(4) In selecting the materials for construction of a hoist referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule regard shall be paid to the conditions under which the hoist will be required to operate.
(5) The hoist shall be so located that it is clear of the finer lines and, so far as practicable, at the mid-length of the ship but in no circumstances shall it be positioned in the manner prohibited by Rule 6 (2) (b) of these Rules.
(6) From a standing position at the control point of a ship to which these Rules apply it shall be possible for the operator to have the hoist under observation continuously between its highest and lowest working positions.
(7) The owner and master of a ship to which these Rules apply shall ensure that in respect of any hoist provided on the ship there is on board a copy of the manufacturer's maintenance manual, approved of by the Minister and which contains a maintenance log book, and every such hoist shall be kept in good order and be maintained in accordance with the aforesaid maintenance manual.
(8) A record of maintenance and repairs of any hoist shall be entered in the relevant maintenance log book by the officer responsible for its maintenance.
(9) The maximum complement a hoist, referred to in paragraph (7) of this Rule, is permitted to carry shall be clearly and permanently marked on the hoist.
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paragraphs: (1) Any hoist which is a hoist referred to in Rule 7 (7) of these Rules shall consist of the following main parts:
( a ) a mechanically powered winch;
( b ) two separate falls; and
( c ) a ladder consisting of two parts:
(i) a rigid upper part for the transportation of any person upwards or downwards;
(ii) 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.
(2) As regards a winch referred to in paragraph (1) (a) of this Rule—
( a ) the source of power for the winches shall be electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic, and 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 concerned and 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;
( b ) 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 and such brake or other arrangement shall be capable of supporting the working load when the hand gear is in use;
( c ) efficient hand gear shall be provided to lower any person being carried in the event of power failure;
( d ) any crank handle provided for manual operation of the hoist shall, when engaged, be arranged so that the power supply is automatically cut off;
( e ) the hoist shall be fitted with an automatic safety device 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;
( f ) hoist controls shall incorporate an emergency stop to cut off the power supply and an emergency stop switch within easy reach of the person carried by means of which he may cut off the power;
( g ) the winch controls shall be clearly and durably marked to indicate "Hoist", "Stop" and "Lower"; the manner in which the aforesaid controls operate the hoist shall correspond to the aforesaid indications and such controls shall be automatically return to the "Stop" position when released;
( h ) efficient arrangements shall be provided to ensure that the falls wind evenly on to the winch-drums;
( i ) 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;
( j ) the winch shall be capable of hoisting or lowering the safe working load (determined in accordance with Rules 7 (2) of these Rules) at a speed of between 15 and 30 metres per minute;
( k ) 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; and
( l ) any electrical appliance associated with the ladder section of the hoist shall not be operated at a voltage exceeding 25 volts.
(3) As regards the falls referred to in paragraph (1) (b) of this Rule—
( a ) such falls shall be made of flexible steel wire rope of adequate strength and resistant to corrosion in a salt-laden atmosphere:
( b ) such falls shall be securely attached to 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; and such falls shall be maintained at a sufficient relative distance from one another, so as to reduce the possibility of the ladder becoming twisted; and
( c ) such 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) As regards a ladder referred to in paragraph (1) (c) of this Rule—
( a ) the rigid part shall be not less than 2.50 metres in length and shall 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:
(i) a sufficient number of steps complying with sub-paragraph (c) of this Rule to provide a safe and easy access to and from the platform referred to in paragraph (2) (k) of this Rule;
(ii) safe handholds capable of being used under all conditions including extremes of temperature, together with non-skid steps;
(iii) 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;
(iv) an effective guard rig, suitably padded, so positioned as to provide physical support for the person carried without hampering movement;
(v) adequate means for communication between the person carried and the operator and/or the responsible officer who supervises the embarkation or disembarkation of the person carried;
(vi) an emergency stop switch which shall be within easy reach of any person carried and by means of which he may cut off the power;
( b ) below the rigid part mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, a section of flexible ladder comprising eight steps and constructed in accordance with the following requirements shall be provided:
the steps of the flexible section shall—
(i) be made of ash, oak, elm or teak or other hardwood or other material of equivalent strength, stiffness and durability but the four lowest steps may be of rubber or other material of equivalent strength, stiffness and durability;
(ii) be made in one piece, and in the case of wooden steps, free of knots;
(iii) have an efficient non-slip surface;
(iv) be not less than 480 millimetres long, 115 millimetres wide, and 25 millimetres in depth, excluding any non-slip device or grooving;
(v) be equally spaced not less than 300 millimetres nor more than 380 millimetres apart; and
(vi) be secured in such a manner that each will remain horizontal;
Provided that—
( aa ) no flexible ladder section 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 flexible ladder section and that 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 flexible ladder; and that when any replacement step is secured to the side ropes of the ladder by means of grooves in the sides of the step, such grooves shall be in the longer sides of the step; and
( bb ) the side ropes of the flexible ladder section shall consist of two manilla ropes not less than 18 millimetres in diameter on each side and that each rope shall be left uncovered by any other material and shall be continuous with no joins below the top step;
( c ) the steps of the flexible section and those of the rigid 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 and the handholds of both parts of such sections shall be aligned as closely as possible;
( d ) 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.
(5) As regards the operation of a hoist referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule—
( a ) the master shall ensure that rigging and testing of the hoist pursuant to paragraph (6) of this Rule and the embarkation and disembarkation of any person shall be supervised by a responsible officer of the ship concerned and any person engaged in rigging and operating such hoist shall be instructed in the rigging and operating procedures to be adopted and the equipment shall be tested prior to the embarkation or disembarkation on or from such ship of any person;
( b ) lighting shall be provided so that such hoist when overside, its controls and the position where any person carried embarks on the ship are adequately lit; and the equipment specified in paragraph (b), (c) and (d) of Rule 6 (6) of these Rules shall be kept at hand ready for use if required;
( c ) a pilot ladder complying with the provisions of Rule 6 of these Rules shall be rigged adjacent to such hoist and available for immediate use so that access to it is available from such hoist during any point of its travel and the pilot ladder shall be capable of reaching the sea level from its own point of access to the ship;
( d ) the position on the ship's side where such hoist will be lowered shall be indicated; and
( e ) an adequately protected stowage position shall be provided for such hoist, and in very cold weather the master shall ensure that the hoist is rigged in adequate time having regard to the danger of ice formation.
(6) Every hoist referred to in paragraph (1) of this Rule shall be tested and examined as follows—
( a ) Every new hoist shall be subjected to an overload test of 2.2 times the working load; and 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;
( b ) an operating test of 10 per cent. overload shall be carried out after installation (of the hoist) on board the ship;
( c ) subsequent examinations of the hoist under working conditions shall be made at each survey for the renewal of the relevant vessel's safety equipment certificate; and
( d ) in addition to the aforesaid testing the master of the relevant ship shall ensure that regular test rigging and inspection, including a load test to at least 150 kg., shall be carried out by the relevant ship's personnel at intervals of not more than six months, and a record of such testing maintained by the master in such ship's official log book or in case such ship is not required to keep such a log book, such a record in writing shall be made by the master, or by some other person appointed by him for that purpose, and such records shall be retained on board.
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paragraphs: Where these Rules require that a particular fitting, material, appliance or apparatus or type thereof, shall be fitted or carried in a ship, or that any particular provision shall be made, the Minister may approve any other fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof to be fitted or carried, or any other provision to be made in that ship if he is satisfied after trial thereof or otherwise that such other fitting, material, appliance or apparatus, or type thereof, or provision, is at least as effective as that required by these Rules.