Overview
ISO 799-1:2019 - Ships and marine technology - Pilot ladders - Part 1: Design and specification defines requirements for pilot ladders used to embark and disembark maritime pilots alongside a ship’s vertical hull. Applicable to merchant ships operating underway, the standard supplements IMO/SOLAS requirements by specifying materials, construction, testing, inspection and marking criteria to ensure safe pilot transfer and reliable pilot ladder design.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 799-1:2019 covers practical, enforceable requirements including:
- Scope and intent: Safe embarkation/disembarkation of maritime pilots; applicable to ships that carry pilots while underway.
- Materials:
- Wooden steps must be hardwood (e.g., ash, oak, teak), free of knots and uncoated so friction is preserved.
- Side ropes: mildew‑resistant manila meeting ISO 1181:2004 (Quality 1) or spun thermoset polyester with polypropylene core; minimum breaking strength 24 kN and ~20 mm diameter (63 mm circumference).
- Securing ropes: minimum breaking strength 48 kN, fitted with thimbles and at least 3 m long.
- Metallic parts: corrosion‑resistant or coated per ISO 1461; stainless steel must meet marine‑grade requirements (see ISO 15510).
- Plastics: must retain ≥30% tensile and ≥80% impact strength after one‑year weathering (ISO 877‑2).
- Construction & dimensions:
- Continuous side rope loops without knots or unauthorized fittings.
- Steps supported and held level by purpose-made step fixtures or seizings; clear width between side ropes ≥400 mm.
- Specific requirements for rope seizings (tarred marline min. 800 N, fig.‑of‑eight, min length 32 mm).
- Testing, inspection & production:
- Prototype tests for approval and production inspection regimes that are intentionally more stringent than existing IMO rules.
- Marking, designation, production tests and maintenance guidance to support operational safety and inspection.
Applications and users
ISO 799-1:2019 is practical for:
- Shipowners, masters and deck officers for safe pilot transfer procedures.
- Shipbuilders and ladder manufacturers designing and producing compliant pilot ladders.
- Classification societies, maritime authorities and flag states for certification and SOLAS compliance.
- Marine safety inspectors and pilots seeking clarified technical acceptance criteria.
This standard is referenced in SOLAS Chapter V Reg. 23.2.3 and can be used for independent acceptance and certification of pilot ladders.
Related standards
Relevant normative references cited in ISO 799-1:2019:
Keywords: ISO 799-1:2019, pilot ladders, pilot transfer, ship safety, marine technology, pilot ladder design, SOLAS compliance, ladder construction, rope strength, maritime standards.
