A pilot ladder is rigged one hour before the ship reaches the pilot station. This is standard procedure on vessels inbound to port that require the expertise of a pilot.
But the problem starts when waves reach the ladder while the ship is still approaching.
With repeated wave contact and the ship rolling at certain speeds, these forces can damage the ladder.
In this guide, we’ll show you when to heave up the pilot ladder and when to lower it again.
✅ Key Takeaway
If waves are reaching the pilot ladder during the approach, heave the ladder up until it clears the waves. Some ships use a hook to catch the lower end and lift it clear. When the pilot boat approaches, lower the ladder and remove the hook before boarding.
🌊 Why Does the Pilot Ladder Need to Be Heaved Up?
The pilot ladder may need to be heaved up when waves reach it during the approach to the pilot station.
Normally, pre-rigging the ladder about one hour before boarding is standard practice when the requested side and height are already known.
The crew must then check the ladder while the ship is moving. Watch how
📌 Note: The key check is simple: Do the waves reach the pilot ladder?
If the water reaches the ladder, the crew should prevent continued contact with the waves.
Repeated movement against waves can damage the ladder while the ship is approaching the pilot station.
❗Important: When the ladder is rigged less than one meter above the water, it’s best to heave the ladder up as there’s a pretty good chance it can be reached by the waves when the ship moves.
⚠️ What Can Happen When Waves Reach the Ladder?
Waves hitting the pilot ladder can cause the ladder to move heavily while the ship is underway.
The movement can damage the ladder. Or if the ladder is not damaged, it can shorten the life span of the ladder.
The risk is greater when the ship is approaching the pilot station in rough sea conditions.
If the waves are quite high, the deck crew should heave the ladder on deck and lower it again when reaching the pilot station.
Or the crew can hook the other end of the ladder, pull it up so it stays unreachable by the waves, and secure the rope to keep the ladder high.
🔧 How to Heave Up the Pilot Ladder
The pilot ladder can be heaved up until the lower end is clear of the waves.
Follow the arrangement used on your ship.
- Check whether waves are reaching the ladder.
- Heave the pilot ladder up either by heaving it whole on deck or using a hook if the waves can reach it.
- Lift it only enough to keep it clear of the waves.
- Continue monitoring the ladder during the approach.
- Lower it again when the pilot boat is approaching.
- Remove the hook if one was used.
After rigging the ladder to the pilot boat’s desired boarding arrangement, some ships prefer to heave the whole ladder on deck as an added precaution.
🪝 Using a Hook to Lift the Ladder
Some ships use a hook to catch the lower end of the pilot ladder.
The hook allows the crew to pull the ladder upward just enough to keep it away from the waves.
When the ship nears the pilot station, the crew lowers the ladder again.
The hook can then be removed by swinging it clear.
📌 Note: The hook method described here comes from firsthand shipboard experience. Follow the arrangement approved for your vessel.
Using Retrieval Line
When a hook is not available, using a retrieval line is recommended as long as it follows IMO Resolution A.1045(27) which discusses Pilot Transfer Arrangement.
The line should be fastened at or above the last spreader step and should lead forward. The retrieval line should not hinder the pilot nor obstruct the safe approach of the pilot boat.
When the ladder is rigged with considerable length, pulling it up can be difficult and may become a safety and health hazard when pulling up.
❗Important: Do not tie the retrieval line on the lower end of the last spreader (near the rubber steps) as this is a tripping hazard for the pilot. Arrangements such as that already created fatalities.
⏱️ When Should the Ladder Be Lowered?
The pilot ladder should be lowered again when the pilot boat approaches and the ladder is required for boarding.
The crew then removes the hook if one was used.
The ladder must be ready at the requested boarding arrangement before the pilot boards.
The pilot boarding side and ladder height are covered in Pilot Boarding Arrangements: What the Deck Crew Needs to Know.
For detailed ladder rigging instructions, see Correct Way to Rig a Pilot Ladder.
💬 Firsthand Experience
I was on a small tanker vessel of about 16,000+ gross tonnage.
During winter voyages in Europe, waves could reach about 3 meters.
While approaching the pilot station, we sometimes had to catch the lower end of the pilot ladder with a hook and heave it up so the waves would not reach it.
When we neared the pilot station, we lowered the ladder again and removed the hook.
❌ Common Mistakes
- Rigging the pilot ladder and then ignoring it during the approach.
- Allowing waves to repeatedly reach the ladder.
- Leaving the ladder heaved up when the pilot boat is approaching.
- Forgetting to remove the hook after lowering the ladder.
- Treating the requested boarding height as the only check while ignoring wave contact.
💡 Pro Tip
Monitor the pilot ladder after it is rigged.
The boarding arrangement can be correct, but changing wave conditions can still require the ladder to be heaved up during the approach.
📝 Pilot Ladder Approach Checklist
| Check | Action |
| Ladder rigged early | Monitor it during the approach |
| Waves reach the ladder | Heave it up |
| Hook used | Catch and lift the lower end |
| Pilot boat approaching | Lower the ladder |
| Ladder lowered | Remove the hook |
| Pilot ready to board | Confirm the ladder is ready |
❓ FAQ
Can the pilot ladder be rigged before reaching the pilot station?
Yes. Pre-rigging about one hour before boarding can be acceptable when the requested arrangement is known. The crew must continue checking whether waves are reaching the ladder.
Why should the pilot ladder be heaved up?
The ladder may be heaved up when waves reach it during the approach. Keeping it clear of the waves helps prevent damage to the ladder.
Can a hook be used to lift the pilot ladder?
Yes. The source describes using a hook to catch the lower end and pull it up enough to clear the waves. The hook is then removed when the ladder is lowered.
When should the pilot ladder be lowered again?
Lower the ladder when the pilot boat approaches and the ladder is needed for boarding.
Does the pilot boarding side affect this procedure?
The pilot boarding side and requested ladder height are separate arrangements communicated before boarding. See Pilot Boarding Arrangements: What the Deck Crew Needs to Know.
🧭 Final Thoughts
A pilot ladder should not simply be rigged and forgotten during the approach.
Watch the ladder and react when waves reach it.
✅ Check the ladder during the approach
✅ Heave it up when waves reach it
✅ Lower it and remove the hook before boarding
⚠️ Follow your company procedures and local port rules.
💬 Have you had to heave up a pilot ladder during an approach? Share your experience with other seafarers.
May the winds be in your favor.
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