Danger Of Counterfeit Pilot Ladders

The side ropes of the pilot ladder are the backbone of the ladders strength they bare the weight of the pilot an at times the weight of the pilot boat as she rides up and down in a swell.

In order for a pilot ladder to stand up to this regular strain it's essential ladders are made from the best components available and properly cared for. The international standard for pilot ladder construction (ISO 799) is very specific on the components used in the production of ladders and this includes the side ropes. This standard requires that the side ropes are made from '...mildew-resistant manila rope meeting ISO 1181:2004, Quality 1.' This is one of the highest quality manila rope available and is selected for it's strength, resistance to saltwater and resistance to UV degradation. 

Counterfeit pilot ladders are sadly, increasingly more prevalent within the maritime industry. These ladders are generally constructed from low grade materials and the side ropes are no exception. The side rope material of choice for the pilot ladder counterfeiter is Sisal. 

Sisal fibres come from the agave and sisalana plants indigenous to the tropics. Sisal fibres share many characteristics with manila, but only 80% of its tensile strength. It is less expensive than manila and due to its similar appearance makes in an ideal counterfeiting choice. However, if you look closer, you’ll find that the sisal version is rougher on the surface, due to the nature of fibres used, which are harvested from either the sisalana or agave plant rather than the abaca plant.

The great danger in buying a sisal pilot ladder is that loss of tensile strength. If we consider the ISO 799 standard it requires the side ropes are made from 2 x 20mm grade 1 manilla. This should give a breaking strength of at least 2 x 24kN = 48kN on each side of the ladder. (In fact 20mm Grade 1 manila has a breaking strain of 26kN so is even stronger than required).

By using 20mm sisal instead of manila that breaking strength is reduced to 18.65kN giving a breaking strength per side of the ladder of 2 x 18.65 = 37.3kN.

THIS IS 28% weaker than the Manila rope and does not meet ISO 799:1 requirements.

Sisal is also less seawater resistant and a much less flexible rope making it unsuitable for pilot ladders and especially unsuitable for winch stowed ladders.

So how do you avoid acquiring a sisal ladder? 

• The first and most reliable method is to buy from a known source, if possible a reputable ladder manufacturer. The ladders sourced and sold by ships chandlers are not always what they purport to be so extra care should be taken when purchasing ladders through such.
• Secondly always buy an ISO 799 ladder certified by an IACS accredited Classification Society.
• Finally inspect any ladder THOROUGHLY upon delivery. A good quality ladder looks well built, the materials look high quality and they feel solid when in use.

Fathom Safety only provide PTR Holland pilot ladders. These premium ISO 799 pilot ladders are, in our opinion, the best on the market, built to the highest specifications with the best quality materials.

To take the stress and hassle out of pilot ladder management Fathom Safety have developed their Pilot Ladder Management solution. Under this solution we manage a shipping fleets ladders, ensuring ladders are replaced in a timely and efficient fashion and save companies thousands of dollars at the same time. 

Our intuitive software shows company superusers a graphical representation of each vessel, the ladders on each, their use, age, inspection data and when the ladder is due to be replaced. On top of this we provide 24/7 support to ships staff with pilot ladder issues and only provide premium quality PTR Holland ladders, direct from the manufacturer.