Director General of Shipping of India issued Circular 09/2025 after investigation of the two unfortunate incidents occurred in the recent past at Ulsan Anchorage (South Korea) and Port Said (Egypt) which resulted in the tragic loss of lives of the two Indian seafarers. This safety circular is to be read in conjunction with any existing safety circular issues by individual ports, terminals in addition to the SOLAS Regulation V/23 as amended on pilot transfer arrangements.
Personnel transfers using a passenger transfer basket, pilot ladder, gangway or combination ladder to/from a service launch or a barge are high risk operations and compliance with safe work procedures are of paramount importance to avoid fatal consequences, loss of lives, damages etc.
Both incidents revealed significant lapses in adhering to critical safety procedures during the disembarkation process, resulting in seafarers falling into the sea.
In the first case, the prevailing sea conditions were not properly assessed. The rough seas led to a misalignment between the pilot ladder and the service boat, creating a highly unsafe environment for personnel transfer. Despite the visible risk posed by strong swells, the operation continued without implementing any safety interventions. The disembarking seafarer, who was not wearing appropriate PPE, lost his grip and fell into the water.
In the second incident, similar rough sea and swell conditions caused the service boat to swing away at a critical moment during the transfer operation. This sudden movement disrupted the seafarer’s balance, resulting in fall into the sea. In both cases, poor coordination and lack of preventive action in response to adverse sea conditions played a direct role in the accidents.
The circular highlights important aspect of personnel transfer as below
- Safe Work Procedures: Always comply with the company’s safe transfer procedures and risk assessment for embarking and disembarking personnel via service boat/barge.
- Equipment Rigging and Maintenance: Ensure that the means of embarkation/ disembarkation are properly rigged and maintained as per regulatory requirements, manufacturer’s instructions and company procedures. Maximum age of the pilot ladder should be 24 Months, maximum age of the man ropes used with Pilot ladder 12 months. If the condition of the Pilot Ladder or Man Ropes are not good, it must be replaced immediately.
- Time Pressure: Avoid scheduling crew changes within tight operational timelines like ETA deadline, where there is an inherent urgency exists to complete the transfer operation quickly, compelling to cut corners.
- Weather Conditions: Evaluate the adverse effects of existing weather and forecasted weather conditions, with particular attention to factors such as wind speed, swell height, and sea state, which may significantly impact safe transfer operation. While in doubt, be on the safety zone and postpone transfers during adverse weather conditions. If required, move the operations in sheltered areas or provide an adequate lee to facilitate safe transfer.
- Human Element: Consider the physical fitness, experience and confidence of the person embarking / disembarking especially those disembarking soon after completion of long work hours on board. Familiarization and toolbox meeting: Carry out a toolbox meeting with all relevant crew explaining the hazards, safeguards, means of communication etc.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Transfer personnel must wear life jackets and should not carry backpacks or baggage during the transfer. Transfer the baggage or other items using a heaving line. Both the victims were not wearing life jackets at the time of incident. Life jacket could have kept the victim afloat even after falling in water which could have helped in rescue.
- Operational Safety: Always inspect ladders and equipment to ensure they are not stained with oil, grease. This inspection to be done prior to rigging. Assign experienced person to supervise the operations and ensure clear communication between ship and service launch. During the transfers, always maintain 3-point contact and keep the body weight near to the ladder to prevent it from swinging. When transferring between a pilot ladder or a gangway and boat, it is crucial to always use the available handholds on the vessel /boat to maintain stability and prevent falls, especially when crossing over between the two platforms; make sure to firm grip the handholds before stepping onto or off the ladder. It is crucial to stay alert to your surroundings. Listen to the instructions for launch personnel as they will instruct when it is safe to transfer. Adequate lighting of the transfer area is also very important.
- Safety Culture and Stop Work Policy: Implement company’s safety stop work policy when unsafe acts or conditions are noticed, ensuring immediate attention to hazardous conditions.
- Emergency Preparedness: Crew must be familiar with the operations and aware of required emergency actions in invent of man overboard (MOB) event by way of regular drills, including
raising of alarm, reporting procedures and rescue measures. - Emergency Preparedness: Crew must be familiar with the operations and aware of required emergency actions in invent of man overboard (MOB) event by way of regular drills, including
raising of alarm, reporting procedures and rescue measures.
Circular has also safety recommendation, read the circular for complete details.