U.S. Coast Guard Warns Shipowners Of Fake Pilot Ladders Found In Port of Baltimore

Ship ladder — Image for representation purposes only

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert after finding counterfeit pilot ladders during an inspection at the Port of Baltimore.

Inspectors from Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (NCR) spotted the ladders during a routine Port State Control examination.

The ladders showed several red flags, including an incorrect ISO standard reference on the identification plate. The plate listed “ISO 799-1” instead of the correct “ISO 799-1” standard and lacked the proper designation type.

Although the serial numbers on the ladders matched the accompanying certificates, the number of steps and ladder length did not match the certified specifications.

These counterfeit ladders falsely claimed to be manufactured by Qingdao Good Brother Marine Life Saving Appliance Co. Ltd., a legitimate producer of SOLAS-approved equipment.

This company has been linked to similar counterfeit cases before, with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority discovering fake ladders using their name in 2019.

The Coast Guard has urged shipowners to thoroughly inspect their pilot ladders to ensure they are genuine and meet SOLAS safety standards.

They advised verifying ISO numbers and ensuring all details on the certificate match the actual ladder’s specifications.

Pilot ladder safety is essential, as marine pilots use them during dangerous ship-to-boat transfers. Accidents involving pilot ladders are a leading cause of death in the maritime industry.

In 2020, two members of the Sandy Hook Pilots Association lost their lives in ladder-related falls.

Reports reveal that many boarding arrangements are unsafe. According to the International Marine Pilots Association, 20% of pilot ladder setups fail to meet safety regulations.

Marine safety advocate Captain Arie Palmer believes the real number could be even higher.

Reference: USCG

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