So the prices are in. After contacting a host of pilot ladder manufacturers they have all come back with their best price so which supplier do you choose?
Well before rushing to pick up the phone and arranging a contract with the lowest bidder lets consider the difference between a cheap ladder and a quality one. At the end of the day price isn't always reflective of quality and the fact a ladder is $200 cheaper you may find it is substantially lower in quality than the small price difference may indicate. Here we will break up each component of the ladder and see why some are cheaper than others and ask if they represent value for money.
The Pilot Ladder Certification
Cheap Pilot Ladder
A cheap pilot ladder will invariably be held to a lower standard of approval than a quality pilot ladder. The ladder will usually be compliant with SOLAS requirements but no more. Generally the ladder will be approved by a non-IACS classification society, if any, and it won't always be clear if the ladder is approved for use on EU/US vessels in meeting the relevent requirements and approvals.
Quality Pilot Ladder
The certificate from a quality ladder manufacturer will be a much more transparent document. The ladder will be built to a high quality standard (ISO 799), be tested and approved by a recognised IACS classification body and clearly state the MED/USCG approval for use on vessels registered in these juristictions. The ladder may also carry a QR code such that the ladder, certificate and ship are tied together using block chain technology making it easy for pilots, port state officials and port authorities to verify the authenticity of the ladder.
The Pilot Ladder Side Ropes
Cheap Pilot Ladder
Rather then using grade 1 Manila rope cheap pilot ladders are increasingly being constructed from sisal. Sisal, like Manila is a natural fibre rope but lacks the strength and durability of Manila. Whilst sisal shares the same high grip surface structure as Manila rope it needs to be of a greater diameter to acheive the same breaking strength. It is especially unsuitable for use with winch deployed ladders as the sisal side ropes are prone to deformation especially when wet.
Quality Pilot Ladder
Being constructed to ISO 799:1 means that quality pilot ladders will have 20mm treated grade 1 Manila side ropes. These premium ropes are saltwater resistant, low stretch and offer excellent grip characteristics especially when wet. They stand up well to regular use in a marine environment provided they are properly cared for. The side ropes may occasionally be synthetic fibre of similar characteristics as the manila ropes.
The Pilot Ladder Step Wedges
Cheap Pilot Ladder
Nearly always made from low quality plastic and prone to deformation cheap step wedges do a poor job of holding the steps in place when placed under load and when combined with stretchy sisal side ropes and low quality seizings/clamps it is common to find they 'pop out' of the steps when the ladder is in use making the ladder steps prone to twisting. Where wooden wedges are used they are generally softwood and prone to splitting.
Quality Pilot Ladder
The plastic wedges in a decent pilot ladder are made from higher grade plastic. With the ISO standard requiring each plastic material shall be of a type that retains at least 30 % of its original tensile strength and at least 80 % of its original impact strength when subjected to the one-year outdoor weathering test described in Method A of ISO 877-2:2009.
When wooden wedges are used tey are of slow growing hardwood construction that isn't prone to splitting under load.
The Pilot Ladder Clamps or Seizings
Cheap Pilot Ladder
When using metalic clamps the cheap pilot ladder will generally use a stainless steel or aluminium device however to keep costs down they will use as little metal as possible. A common clamping device known in piloting circles as the 'figure of eight' clamp is a prime example of a clamping device that is so minimal in material that it fails completly to acheive it's purpose of holding the wedges against the steps. As previously mentioned this is further exacerbated by the stretchy sisal side ropes and low quality wedges.
Where hand seizings are used the material used is generally a low quality twine making them prone to damage, coming loose and difficult to maintain.
Quality Pilot Ladder
A quality pilot ladder will have robust aluminium clamps that are applied with a special swaging tool which is capable of sensing when the correct level of pressure has been applied to ensure the wedges are held firmly in place without damaging the ropes. These clamps use much more metal in their construction and are capable of holding the wedges and steps in place for the lifetime of the ladder.
When hand seizings are used these will be three-ply tarred marline of minimum breaking strength 800 N, and with a minimum diameter of 4 mm (or other suitable material of equivalent strength and diameter). All seizings shall be figure-of-eight racking seizings with a minimum length of seizing of 32 mm.
The Pilot Ladder Steps
Cheap Pilot Ladder
The timber used in the construction of a cheap pilot ladders steps will generally be Asian or African semi hardwood. Whilst similar to the knot free hardwood used in a quality ladder this timber is much more prone to splintering and splitting. The wood is generally not heat treated but is sometimes dyed to give the appearence of such. The environmental impact of the timber source will not be certified.
Quality Pilot Ladder
A quality ladder will have heat treated hardwood steps. Heat-treated wood can have reduced shrinkage and swelling values ranging from 50 to 70 percent.. Enhancement of biological resistance against insect deterioration, specifically to termites and certain microorganisms, is also another advantage of heat treatment.
The timber used will also be responsibly sourced from an FSC approved supplier. The Forest Stewardship Council ensure the Trees are harvested and managed responsibly so there is no net loss of forest over time. Forest areas with irreplaceable value, such as old growth forests, are identified and maintained. Additionaly workers are fairly paid, biodiversity is protected and local communites consulted and protected.
The Pilot Ladder Costs Of Production
Cheap Pilot Ladder
It terms of production costs the cheap pilot ladder will cost approximately one third of the cost of a quality ladder in materials. Being given no classification approval or using a non IACS society further reduces the costs. Finaly savings are made through using an unprotected workforce in non regulated markets.
Quality Pilot Ladder
The production costs are significantly higher due to the quality of materials used, the use of high quality IACS approval bodies, the use of a high quality, high skilled, protected workforce and high cost production equipment. Finaly the provision of aftermarket care and support, marketing, worldwide production facilites and the legal cost of fighting design infringements from the cheap pilot ladder manufacturers.
The Cost To The End User
So given the massive disparity in production costs what is the end result to the buyer in terms of cost of a standard 9m pilot ladder.
Yes thats it! $100-$200 dollars. Low quality pilot ladders have massive mark ups for two reasons.
- To make huge profits for their manufacturers
- To give the impression that they are of a similar standard to a good quality pilot ladder.
That $100-$200 saving has however given the vessel a pilot ladder that will not be durable and is unlikely to provide an adequate service life and will put the lives of it's user at risk. Every pilot, agent, crew member, service engineer, surveyor and port state control inspector that uses that ladder will be at a significantly higher risk than if that vessel had a good quality pilot ladder.
The Possible Financial Impact
The real costs associated with cheap pilot ladders should not be underestimated and fall into 2 areas
- The cost of delay due to a pilot refusing to board. Pilots are becoming increasingly risk averse when it comes to non-compliant pilot transfer arrangements and with ever increasing 'Stop The Job' authority are more willing to send such vessels back to anchor. What are the cost implications to a vessel refused entry? Does the vessel have a good quality spare ladder on board? Will the vessel need to source better quality ladders? How many days will that take? How much will it cost to have the ladder delivered to a vessel at anchor? The costs quickly start mounting up!
- The cost of injuring or potentially resulting in the death of a pilot ladder user. These costs are justifiably huge. In 2023 there have been 7 deaths associated with pilot ladder transfers. That's 7 families left without a loved one. How do we put a price on that? As human beings we find it almost impossible however a court or arbitration service will ultimately do so.
Suddenly that $100-$200 saving doesn't look so enticing. In fact it now looks positively nonsensical.
Why Fathom Safety Use PTR Holland
All of the fleets in our Pilot Ladder Management Service (End to End) will only ever receive a PTR Holland ladder for one very simple reason - because we honestly believe they are the finest pilot ladders on the market. All of PTR Holland's ladders are
- Made from the best quality materials available
- Are manufactured using the best equipment by a highly skilled workforce
- Are designed to the highest possible standard
- Are tested and approved by DNV
- Have appropriate MED/USCG approvals
- Have great pre and post customer support
- Actively support the industry in safety initiatives
Supplying PTR Holland ladders gives us the confidence and piece of mind that our vessels have the best equipment available for pilot ladder transfer activities.
