The Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization has approved the amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 and the associated mandatory performance standards for pilot transfer arrangements

IMPA is very pleased to advise that the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization has approved the amendments to SOLAS regulation V/23 and the associated mandatory performance standards for pilot transfer arrangements. These were finalised by the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR 11) in June 2024.

The approved amendments reflect last-minute modifications proposed by IMPA, in collaboration with International Registries, Inc. and Maritime New Zealand, which ensure that important provisions, including the maximum height of climb on a pilot ladder, could not be interpreted as being recommendatory.

The next step is for the Maritime Safety Committee to adopt the amendments in June 2025 which will pave the way for entry into force on 1 January 2028.

In addition, the Maritime Safety Committee approved in principle the updated ladder poster developed by a dedicated working group of pilots within IMPA, and agreed on a draft circular on voluntary early implementation of the draft amendments. Both should be approved at the next session of the Maritime Safety Committee in June 2025.

This outcome is the latest important step in the process of having a comprehensive, robust, mandatory regulatory regime for pilot transfer arrangements in place.

Our thanks and appreciation to all those pilots' organisations that have been represented on the delegations of IMO member States during this process, and to those pilots and their representatives that have contributed to this important outcome.