IMPA Congress 2014

Pilot Boat Rail Systems Safety considerations

Captain Nick LeeChairman

United Kingdom Marine Pilots Association Technical & Training Committee

• Why the study

• Hadrian Rail / Unirail systems

• Identification of the risks

• Recommendations and risk mitigation

• Manning of Pilot Boats Subject to Marine Guidance Note MGN 50 (M)

• Safety Harnesses

• Dedicated Pilot Boat

Local Regulations

Extruded RailCarriage with nylon runners

Note Lanyards

Crewman Clips onto carriage system directly

Or Lanyard, Clipsto coat /harnessResult

Crewman SecureCannot fall overboard

note lanyard length

A potential fall overboard is prevented by the safety rail system. So what is the problem………

Potential Injuries

• Harness shock• Impact Injuries• Musculoskeletal Injuries

• Dragging through water • Musculoskeletal Injuries• Possible Hypothermia

• Suspension Trauma• Death

SUSPENSION TRAUMAWhat is it ?

• Medically known as Orthosatic Intolerance

• Can Start within 5mins… Unconscious in 10mins

• Symptoms:Hot Flushes, sweating , anxiety, numbnessRapid pulse & breathingSudden loss of consciousness (fainting)

• Very Rare – but death can occur if not treated correctly or promptly (within 30mins)

SuspensionCirculatoryInsufficiency

Failure of the Muscle pump

In legs

Fall in BloodPressure

Hypoxidosis

Fall in CardiacOutput

Hypovolaemia

Catecholamine Acidosis

Organ Damage

Reduction ofVenous return

Anxiety

CompensatoryActions

SUSPENSION TRAUMAWhat happens

SUSPENSION TRAUMAWhat can we do ?

• Be aware of the Issues.

• Self help - Slow onset by techniques:

• Push down vigorously with legs or mobilise limbs to maintain circulation

• Pump legs against firm surface

• Position body in a horizontal or slight leg high position

SUSPENSION TRAUMAWhat can we do ?

• Train cutter crews.

• Develop rescue procedures.

• Identify additional Rescue equipment required.

• Ensure we use Boarding & Landing code procedures.

Medical TrainingAnyone released from immobile suspension

should be kept in a sitting position for at least 30 minutes

Casualty must not be RecoveredHorizontally or Legs Raised

Correct AncillaryEquipment

UK Health and Safety ExecutiveHarness suspension: review and evaluation of existing information

2.4.4 Work restraint (travel

restriction) harness

Life Jackets / Harnesses

Fall Arrest Harness

Harness Shock loading

Lanyards – choose correct type

Clipping on … Which ?

Petzl Triact Lock

Standard Supplied

On Load release

Pilot Boat Design - Deck Width

Is 400mm (14”) Enough ?

Increased Deck Width Protect against falls

Pilot Boat Design - Rail Positioning

Hadrian Rail - Mini rail System

Pilot Boat Design - Rail Positioning

Conclusions

• Continue to report non compliant vessels

• Promote Awareness

• Equip personnel correctly.

• Ensure procedures in place.

Harness Suspension: Review & evaluation of existing informationwww.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_pdf/2002/crr02451.pdf

First aid measures for suspension traumawww.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr708.pdf

Further Reading

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Lion.pdf

www.tagsafety.com/gfx/library/st-handout.pdf

www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/carabiner/choosing-your-carabiner

Thank you&

Be Safe

United Kingdom Marine Pilots Association

Bibliography

From UK MCA Small vessel and Pilot boat regulations

• 22.2.4 Safety Harnesses • 22.2.4.1 A vessel, other than a RHIB, should be provided with safety harnesses as necessary for all persons who may be

required to work on deck, with a minimum number of 2.

• 25.6.3 Dedicated Pilot Boat

• 25.6.10 For the safe access of personnel, the minimum width of side deck inboard of the bulwark or rails or toe-rail on new vessels should be 400mm but regard should be given to the height and shape of adjacent superstructure or deckhouse. Side decks should be adequately illuminated;

• 25.6.11 An efficient, uninterrupted/continuous safety rail system for clip-on safety harnesses should be provided. The system should allow the harness traveller to move freely and without adjustment over the full length of the safety rail. The rail system, its attachment to the vessel structure and the clip-on safety harnesses should be designed, constructed, installed, tested and maintained to appropriate personal protective equipment standards, to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority

• 25.6.14 Subject to Marine Guidance Note MGN 50 (M) - Manning of Pilot Boats;

• A pilot boat should be manned by a minimum of 2 adult persons, namely a coxswain, and a deck hand who can assist the pilot when boarding or landing. The competent harbour authority or owner(s)/managing agent(s) of the pilot boat should be satisfied as to the competence and fitness for duty of these persons; and all pilot boat crew members should; ref to medical / first aid certification