Contents · jump by topic
Bring pilot transfer arrangements into traceable fleet management.
- The management scope covers the complete Pilot Transfer Arrangement. Pilot ladders, manropes, combination arrangements, strong points, points of access and related equipment need to be inventoried together.
- The 2028 management requirements are not the same as the hardware transition deadlines for existing arrangements. Do not wait until the relevant 2029 survey to start inspections, maintenance and familiarization.
- Inspect before and after each use, and carry out a detailed inspection every three months. This is done by the onboard Responsible Officer; the frequency does not mean a Class/RO surveyor must attend quarterly.
- 36 months from manufacture, or 30 months from being placed into service, whichever comes first. Pilot ladders and manropes, including spares, must be withdrawn earlier if they no longer meet the standard.
Based on SOLAS V/23 as amended by MSC.572(110); MSC.576(110) §§25–30.[1][2]
From one ladder to the complete arrangement
The complete arrangement
As a surveyor, the point I most want owners to take is this: replacing a ladder is only one step. The company needs to put the condition, inspection, maintenance and familiarization of the complete pilot transfer arrangement into a management system that can actually be run.
IMO adopted MSC.572(110) on 26 June 2025, amending SOLAS V/23, and MSC.576(110) as the performance standards for pilot transfer arrangements. Under the amendment’s acceptance and entry-into-force procedure, implementation is expected from 1 January 2028.[1][2]
Pilot ladder, manropes, and, where applicable, the accommodation ladder, embarkation platform and combination arrangement.
Strong points, securing ropes, shackles, securing fittings, and pilot ladder winch reels.
Point of access, stanchions, handholds, lighting and chafe protection.
Inspection, stowage, maintenance, identification, replacement and familiarization — covering both in-use and spare equipment.
Practical suggestion: Build the requirements into the PMS (Planned Maintenance System) and SMS (Safety Management System), and assign ship and shore responsibilities for maintenance and tracking.
Separate the two application timelines first
Application & transition
Start with two questions: when was the arrangement installed, and does SOLAS Chapter I apply to the ship? The transition for design and arrangement cannot be applied wholesale to day-to-day management requirements.[1]
Complete a Fleet Gap Analysis and start preparing the fleet.
Inventory equipment, collect dates and manufacturer documents, and set up PMS jobs, a maintenance plan, procurement and training. This is preparation advice in this note, not a separate statutory deadline.
All arrangements start meeting the management requirements; new installations follow the new standards.
Regardless of installation date, inspection, stowage, maintenance, replacement and familiarization apply under the Introduction and Parts D–E. Arrangements installed on or after that date: design, manufacture, arrangement and rigging apply under the Introduction and Parts A–C, with applicable approval under Part F.
Ships to which Chapter I applies: comply no later than the first survey on or after that date.
For arrangements installed before 2028, comply with the amended V/23.3 no later than this survey. The fleet and the flag State / RO should confirm ship-by-ship survey and upgrade arrangements early.
Ships to which Chapter I does not apply: latest compliance date for existing arrangements.
Ships within the scope of the amended V/23 but not subject to Chapter I have this separate deadline; do not apply the 2029 first-survey date across the board.
| Requirement type | New installations from 2028 | Installed before 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction + Parts A–C | Design, manufacture, arrangement and rigging to the new standards | Depending on whether Chapter I applies: first survey from 2029, or the 2030-01-01 deadline |
| Introduction + Parts D–E | From the amendment’s entry into force, all arrangements are subject to inspection, stowage, maintenance, replacement and familiarization | |
| Part F approval | Confirm Administration approval and type-approval requirements according to the applicable provisions and first use, repair, modification and similar circumstances | |
Put inspection into every operation
Inspection & onboard workflow
MSC.576(110) §25 distinguishes two frequencies: inspection before and after each use, and a detailed inspection every three months; both are carried out by the onboard Responsible Officer. Introduction §3.7 also requires a responsible officer to be designated to supervise inspection, rigging and the transfer of personnel.[2]
A complete embarkation and disembarkation sequence
- STEP 01Pre-use inspectionBefore use
- STEP 02Correct riggingRigging
- STEP 03Personnel transferPilot transfer
- STEP 04Post-use inspectionAfter use
- STEP 05Correct stowageStowage
This flow is a working sketch based on the inspection requirements; after rigging, the complete arrangement must also be confirmed as safe to use. Shipboard procedures should specify the operating sequence and inspection scope in accordance with the applicable requirements and the manufacturer's instructions.
What to check before and after use?
- Ladder and ropes: condition of side ropes, steps, spreaders and manropes, plus wear, damage and contamination.
- Securing and load-bearing: securing arrangements, strong points, shackles and possible chafing.
- Access and operation: point of access, stanchions／handholds, lighting, rigging, and, where applicable, the combination arrangement.
Post-use inspection can catch damage from that operation, so defects can be dealt with before the next transfer. After the job, follow through with inspection, any necessary action, and correct stowage.
Every three months, inspect the complete arrangement in detail
| Item | What to watch in management |
|---|---|
| Pilot ladder | Include both the in-use ladder and the spare. |
| Accommodation ladder | Where used in a combination arrangement; maintenance inspection must also meet SOLAS II-1/3-9.3. |
| Winch reels | Include in the complete inspection where fitted. |
| Securing arrangements | Fittings, strong points, ropes, shackles, etc. |
| Point of access | Condition of the boarding position and access. |
| Relevant equipment | Pay particular attention to stanchions and stanchion sockets welded to the deck. |
| Stowage arrangements | Stowage location, environment and method. |
Manropes are likewise part of the complete arrangement; the itemised list in §26 should be read together with §§22–25 and the manufacturer’s instructions.[2]
When creating the PMS job, the name should clearly cover the complete arrangement. Suggested job title:
The maintenance plan must be available — and usable
Maintenance plan & records
MSC.576(110) §27 requires a Maintenance Plan that can be presented for inspection. It should be easy to understand, with illustrations where appropriate, and include at least these six parts.[2]
Cover pre- and post-use and three-monthly inspection work.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and spell out what may and may not be done.
List the timetable for periodic inspection and maintenance.
Keep sources from which suitable spare parts or replacements can be obtained.
Keep an inspection／maintenance log traceable to each item of equipment.
Track the in-service date of pilot ladders and manropes, and the anticipated withdrawal date calculated under §30.
For each item, build a traceable data chain
Equipment ID／Serial No. → Manufacture Date → In-Service Date → Anticipated Withdrawal Date → inspection and maintenance records.
Manufacture date should be confirmed from the equipment marking and documents; the onboard receipt date is also worth keeping for procurement and delivery tracking. Delivered onboard is not the same as Placed into service — manage the two dates in separate fields.
Beyond “the ladder still looks all right”,
A surveyor’s view · Tie equipment condition back to auditable records
be able to answer: when was it manufactured, when was it placed into service, and when must it be withdrawn?
Include familiarization in joining procedures
Part E requires seafarers involved in inspection, maintenance, rigging or operation to receive familiarization matching their duties. For ships to which SOLAS Chapter IX applies, the company must ensure, under the relevant requirements, that seafarers are familiar with the ship’s arrangements and safe operation; for ships to which Chapter IX does not apply, see §33.[2]
Suggested training content: correct rigging, pre- and post-use inspection, three-monthly detailed inspection, defect and withdrawal judgement, spare replacement, combination arrangements, and operational considerations in adverse weather. This can be built into joining familiarization, Deck Officer familiarization and SMS training.
36／30 months change procurement and inventory logic
Life-cycle & procurement
Under MSC.576(110) §30, pilot ladders and manropes, including spares, must be withdrawn from use for the embarkation or disembarkation of pilots or other personnel at whichever of the following occurs first.[2]
Manufacture date + 36 months
In-service date + 30 months
Dates are time limits, not a guarantee of fitness until that day.
Case: delayed placing into service is still limited by manufacture date
Suppose a ladder is manufactured in early 2028, delivered onboard in September, and only placed into service in October. Procurement and onboard records need to calculate both date limits from the start.
Which date comes first?
Sample caseFor spares not yet placed into service, do not invent an in-service date. Track manufacture date, condition and stowage first; log the in-service date when the item is actually placed into service, then re-compare the two time limits.
Spares, repairs and stowage need managing too
Spares, repairs & stowage
A spare ladder in the store is still in scope
§29 requires at least one compliant spare pilot ladder and one set of compliant spare manropes. Spares must also be brought into identification, inspection, maintenance, stowage and the §30 withdrawal control.[2]
Clear limits on repairing steps and spreaders
§28 prohibits repair or replacement of pilot ladder steps or spreader steps. When damage requires a step to be replaced, the ladder should not be kept in use after swapping a board and re-seizing the ropes onboard.
Other repairs go back to the manufacturer’s instructions
Repairs to rope seizings or securing devices are judged against the instructions provided under §24 and the list of permitted onboard repairs; do not expand that list on your own.
Ask the manufacturer for complete use and maintenance documents
Besides the Product Certificate, obtain inspection, maintenance, repair, stowage and discard criteria. §24 covers pre- and post-use inspection, detailed periodic inspection, permitted onboard repairs, securing methods, and written and illustrated descriptions of damage or condition requiring withdrawal.[2]
Stowage conditions are part of inspection
§23 requires equipment, when not in use, to be stowed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent deterioration from moisture, icing, sunlight, chemicals, grease and similar contaminants. Prolonged exposure to weather or oily conditions will make later inspections need to look further into how the equipment was stored and the condition of the ropes.
Practical approach: List spare ladders and spare manropes item by item in the PMS inventory, clearly showing location, ID, dates, last inspection and next job, so spares truly remain ready to replace.
Seven things owners can start now
Owner action plan
Fleet preparation can start with these seven items. Completing an initial inventory in 2026–2027 is this article’s advice, to spread the workload of equipment upgrades, document updates and crew training.
Inventory each ship’s arrangement and build an equipment register
Build a fleet inventory covering pilot ladders, manropes, spares, securing arrangements and related fittings; keep serial／ID, manufacture, delivery, in-service and anticipated withdrawal dates.
Ship-by-ship Pilot Transfer Arrangement Register
Review existing arrangements and confirm upgrade and approval needs
Use the Introduction and Parts A–C to identify gaps, and Part F to confirm submissions and approvals; connect flag State／RO comments, modification budgets and survey arrangements.
Fleet Gap Analysis + upgrade and survey plan
Set up PMS jobs and a Maintenance Plan
Include pre- and post-use inspection, three-monthly detailed inspection, maintenance, defect handling and records, so each job maps to the correct equipment.
PMS job items + ship maintenance plan + record forms
Collect manufacturer documents and confirm repair and discard criteria
Centralise certificates, identification markings, inspection instructions, permitted onboard repairs, stowage methods and discard criteria.
An equipment document pack that ship and shore can find
Adjust procurement and spare arrangements
Confirm a compliant spare ladder and spare manropes; at purchase, check applicable type approval, manufacture date, delivery time and remaining service life, and include ongoing replacement in the budget.
Procurement specification + spare list + withdrawal schedule
Update the SMS and crew familiarization
Update the Pilot Boarding Procedure, Responsible Officer designation and ship–shore split of duties; include inspection, rigging, defect judgement, replacement and adverse-weather considerations in familiarization.
Operating procedures + duty split + familiarization records
Audit implementation once before the deadline
Review implementation across equipment, documents and people, and track gaps to close-out; confirm ship-by-ship application dates, survey arrangements and when necessary upgrades will be complete.
A trackable gap list and completion evidence
How will a surveyor read this system?
Documentation · Equipment · Management
From a statutory-survey perspective, the following is a check approach based on the requirements in this article. It can help owners prepare, but it is not a formally issued new-regime survey checklist.
Documents and traceability
DOCUMENTATION- Approval／Type Approval
- Manufacturer's certificate
- ID, manufacture and in-service dates
- Anticipated withdrawal date
- Maintenance Plan
- Maker instructions
- Inspection, maintenance and repair records
Equipment and arrangement
PHYSICAL CONDITION- Steps, spreaders, side ropes
- Manropes and securing arrangements
- Strong points
- Stanchions／sockets
- Access, lighting, chafing
- Combination arrangement
- Stowage condition
Day-to-day execution
MANAGEMENT- Responsible Officer designation
- PMS job planning
- Pre- and post-use inspection
- Three-monthly detailed inspection
- Crew familiarization
- Spare ladder／manropes
- Withdrawal and defect control
Where needed, also confirm the arrangement’s rigging and operational readiness. The point is that equipment condition, records and the crew’s understanding of the operation should match.
Four easy-to-mix-up questions
Common questions
Can an existing ship wait until the 2029 survey before starting three-monthly inspections?
Do not treat the two as the same thing. Amended V/23.6 applies inspection, stowage, maintenance, replacement and familiarization to all arrangements regardless of installation date; hardware transition for existing arrangements is judged separately under V/23.4 or V/23.5.[1]
Does a three-monthly inspection mean Class／RO must carry it out every quarter?
The detailed inspection in §25 is carried out by the onboard Responsible Officer. The surveyor’s statutory survey and the ship’s periodic inspections are different jobs; keep the responsibilities and records distinct.[2]
If a spare ladder has never been used, does it have no service-life limit?
It is still subject to the 36-month limit from manufacture and to equipment condition; after it is placed into service, also compare the 30-month limit. §30 expressly covers spare pilot ladders and spare manropes.[2]
If the ladder is in good condition, can it be used beyond 36／30 months?
“Good condition” cannot extend the §30 time limits; if the performance standards are not met, it may have to be withdrawn even earlier. Time and condition are both control criteria.[2]
Let every safe transfer rest on management behind it.
MSC.576(110) brings together approval and arrangement, day-to-day inspection, maintenance, crew familiarization and eventual replacement as a traceable set of requirements. For owners, the outcome of preparation should be this: every ladder, set of manropes and related fittings has someone responsible, records that can be checked, and a clear withdrawal plan.
Sources and editorial notes
Sources & editorial notes
The official sources below were checked on 13 September 2026. This article organises application conditions and onboard management requirements from the official texts; the preparation advice and check approach are a practical compilation.
- IMO · Resolution MSC.572(110) ↗
Adopted 2025-06-26. Checked operative paragraphs 2–3 of the resolution, and the Annex amendments to SOLAS V/23.3–9: entry-into-force procedure, transition for new and existing arrangements, definition of installation, and approval／survey.
- IMO · Performance Standards for Pilot Transfer Arrangements ↗
Adopted 2025-06-26. Checked Introduction §§2–3, Parts D–E §§22–33 and Part F §§34–37; this article focuses on onboard maintenance management.
- IMO · Resolution A.1207(34), HSSC Survey Guidelines 2025 ↗
Adopted 2025-12-03. Refer to (EI) 1.1.1.30, 1.1.4.38, 1.1.7.12, and (EA) 1.2.1.24, 1.2.2.41, showing that current survey and records already have a foundation.
- IMO · III 12 Meeting Summary, 20–24 July 2026 ↗
Refer to “Survey and certification matters”. This is a meeting-progress source, not a formally in-force new-regime survey checklist.