The LadderWatch Taxonomy

38 deficiency codes, structured by when they become visible.

LadderWatch organizes pilot transfer arrangement deficiencies into 38 codes across 3 phases and 4 parent categories, ordered by when each deficiency becomes visible during the boarding sequence. This is the complete reference for all deficiency codes used in the LadderWatch reporting system.

CATASTROPHICStructural failure causing fall.

SEVEREHigh fall risk.

MODERATEContributes to risk; not a direct fall cause.

Severity is consequence-based, not frequency-based.

Codes are numbered in the order they were added to the taxonomy. On this page they are grouped by parent category.

Citation note: SOLAS V/23 and IMO Resolution A.1045(27) are current authority and guidance. MSC.576(110) is the adopted performance standard that takes effect with the SOLAS V/23 amendments on 1 January 2028 and is shown where it clarifies or will supersede existing requirements.

PHASE 1

Approach

Observable from pilot boat before coming alongside

Arrangement & Securing

1.1

Ladder positioned too far forward or aft of midships

SEVERE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.1.1.2; MSC.576(110) §12.1.2; for combination lower-platform placement: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.2; MSC.576(110) §13.1.3

If unaddressed: Pilot boat exposed to severe pitching; risk of sliding under stern or propeller.

1.2

Height of climb exceeds 9m but no accommodation ladder present

CATASTROPHIC

Single ladder

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.2 and §3.3.2; MSC.576(110) §3.2

If unaddressed: Excessive single-ladder climb creates extreme fatigue and fall risk; combination arrangement is required when the height of climb exceeds 9m.

1.3

Combination lower platform less than 5m above water

CATASTROPHIC

Combination / Trapdoor only

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §3.3; MSC.576(110) §13.1.4

If unaddressed: Pilot boat riding swell could strike platform, crushing pilot or destroying arrangement.

1.4

Pilot ladder does not extend at least 2m above accommodation platform

SEVERE

Combination only

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §3.6; MSC.576(110) §13.1.7; trapdoor arrangements: MSC.576(110) §5.5.2.4 and §5.5.7.2

If unaddressed: No continuous climb or handhold through the transition; pilot must step off the ladder too early, creating a high fall risk.

1.5

Accommodation ladder too steep (>45°)

SEVERE

Combination only

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §3.2; MSC.576(110) §5.1

If unaddressed: High risk of slipping and tumbling down accommodation ladder; physically exhausting.

1.6

Pilot ladder hanging free, not resting against hull

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.1.1.3; MSC.576(110) §12.1.3; trapdoor alignment: A.1045(27) §3.7 and MSC.576(110) §5.5.2.2

If unaddressed: Ladder swings violently; pilot loses grip or is crushed between ladder and hull.

1.7

Combination platform hanging free, not secured to ship's side

CATASTROPHIC

Combination / Trapdoor only

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.2; A.1045(27) §3.3; MSC.576(110) §13.1.3

If unaddressed: Platform swings uncontrollably during transition; loss of balance and fatal fall.

1.8

Side door: pilot ladder rigged from deckhead or access to deck obstructed

CATASTROPHIC

Side door only

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §4 and §5; MSC.576(110) §7.1, §8, §14.1, and §15.1.1.3

If unaddressed: Pilot cannot safely transition to deck; trapped or forced to climb over obstruction.

1.13

Ladder too short, does not reach the waterline

SEVERE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.1.1.4; MSC.576(110) §4.5 and §12.1.6

If unaddressed: Pilot cannot board; gap between ladder bottom and pilot boat creates fall risk.

1.14

Pilot ladder rigged outside or outboard of the trapdoor (must pass through aperture)

SEVERE

Trapdoor only

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.2; A.1045(27) §3.7; MSC.576(110) §5.5.2.1 and §13.2

If unaddressed: Defeats the purpose of the trapdoor; forces awkward over-platform transition.

1.15

Accommodation ladder pointing the wrong direction (must lead aft)

SEVERE

Combination only

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.2; MSC.576(110) §13.1.2

If unaddressed: Forces pilot to climb into oncoming wind and sea; increased fatigue and fall risk.

1.16

Fender or rubbing band obstructing the ladder

SEVERE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.1.1.3; A.1045(27) §6; MSC.576(110) §9, §10, and §12.1.3

If unaddressed: Steps pushed away from hull; ladder not flush against side; gap creates instability.

1.17

Two ladders joined or shackled together (single continuous length required)

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.1.1.4; A.1045(27) §2.2.1; MSC.576(110) §4.5 and §4.6; ISO 799-1:2019

If unaddressed: Join point can fail under load; catastrophic structural failure mid-climb.

Equipment Condition & Rigging

1.9

Retrieval line incorrectly rigged

MODERATE

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §2.1.5; MSC.576(110) §12.1.5; MSC.1/Circ.1428/Rev.1 Annex, Non-Compliant Practices poster

If unaddressed: Fouls pilot boat; tripping hazard leading to fall. Classified Moderate, not a direct fall cause.

1.10

Spreaders missing or incorrectly placed

SEVERE

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §2.1.4; MSC.576(110) §4.2; ISO 799-1:2019

If unaddressed: Ladder twists during climb; pilot loses footing.

1.11

Manropes missing, incorrectly rigged, or contain knots

MODERATE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §7.1.1; MSC.576(110) §11 and §15.1.1; MSC.1/Circ.1428/Rev.1 Annex

If unaddressed: Loss of upper-body support during climb in rolling conditions.

1.12

Inadequate lighting at night, ladder or transfer area

MODERATE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §8; SOLAS V/23 §11 as amended by MSC.572(110)

If unaddressed: Misstep or failure to identify other defects in darkness.

PHASE 2

Alongside / Climbing

Pilot boat alongside; pilot on the ladder

Equipment Condition & Rigging

2.1

Ladder markings missing, no SOLAS or ISO tag, or no depth marks

MODERATE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §2.3 and §2.4; A.1045(27) §2.1.6; MSC.576(110) §3.5, §4.3, §4.4, and §30; ISO 799-1:2019

If unaddressed: Ladder identity, service records, depth marks, approval basis, and future service-life compliance may not be verifiable.

2.2

Steps not horizontal or not evenly spaced

SEVERE

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §2.1.2.6-2.1.2.7; MSC.576(110) §4.1.5-4.1.6

If unaddressed: High risk of slipping or missing a step during climb.

2.3

Steps broken, painted, dirty, or slippery

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §2.1; A.1045(27) §2.1.2.1-2.1.2.4; MSC.576(110) §4.1.1-4.1.3 and §22; MSC.1/Circ.1428/Rev.1 Annex, Non-Compliant Practices poster

If unaddressed: Sudden structural failure or slip mid-climb; fall to pilot boat or sea.

2.4

Step fittings non-compliant: cable ties, U-clamps, or jubilee clips securing steps

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §2.2.3; MSC.576(110) §4.8; ISO 799-1:2019

If unaddressed: Fittings fail under load; step separates from side rope mid-climb.

2.5

Side ropes frayed, degraded, contain splices or knots

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §2.1; A.1045(27) §2.2.1-2.2.3; MSC.576(110) §4.6-4.8, §22, and §23; ISO 799-1:2019

If unaddressed: Rope parting under load; catastrophic fall to pilot boat deck or sea.

2.6

No heaving line available for gear or bag transfer

MODERATE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §7.1.3; MSC.576(110) §15.1.3

If unaddressed: Pilot cannot transfer gear safely; rushed or unsafe improvised transfer.

2.9

Step material non-compliant: metal, non-resilient plastic, or unapproved material

SEVERE

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §2.1.2.1-2.1.2.3; MSC.576(110) §4.1.1-4.1.2; ISO 799-1:2019

If unaddressed: Material may fail under load or become dangerously slippery when wet.

Deck Access

2.7

Handhold or inner stanchion missing at platform or side-door transition

CATASTROPHIC

Combination / Trapdoor / Side door only

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §3.5 and §5; MSC.576(110) §5.3, §5.5.5-5.5.6, §8, and §19; MSC.1/Circ.1428/Rev.1 Annex

If unaddressed: No handhold at transition; fatal if vessel rolls at that moment.

2.8

Trapdoor obstructed or does not open freely

CATASTROPHIC

Trapdoor only

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.2; A.1045(27) §3.7; MSC.576(110) §5.5.2.1, §5.5.4, and §13.2

If unaddressed: Pilot must contort to squeeze through; high risk of falling backward from height.

PHASE 3

Top of Climb / Disembarking

Pilot at deck level

Arrangement & Securing

3.1

Unsafe or prohibited securing method (deck tongue, hold-down on step, winch as sole support, weak shackles, or improper intermediate securing)

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §3.3.1.1.4; A.1045(27) §2.1.1 and §7.4; MSC.576(110) §6.1, §6.3, §12, and §20; MSC.1/Circ.1428/Rev.1 Annex

If unaddressed: Full weight of pilot and ladder on weak point; sudden catastrophic failure.

Deck Access

3.2

Manropes not rigged through stanchion eyes or not secured to strongpoints

SEVERE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §7.1.1; MSC.576(110) §8.1 and §15.1.1.3

If unaddressed: Unstable support during final step over deck edge; fall risk.

3.3

Handhold stanchions missing or not secured at gateway

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §4; A.1045(27) §5.1-5.2 as amended by A.1108(29); MSC.576(110) §8.1

If unaddressed: Nothing to grab stepping over bulwark; backward fall from height.

3.4

Stanchion diameter outside specification (not 32-36mm)

MODERATE

Regulatory: MSC.576(110) §8.1

If unaddressed: Degraded grip strength; unlikely to cause fall alone but compounds other deficiencies.

3.5

Embarkation point on deck not free from obstructions

SEVERE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §4; A.1045(27) §5; MSC.576(110) §8 and, where a winch reel is fitted, §17.2

If unaddressed: Trip or stumble immediately on boarding; fall back over bulwark.

3.8

No step over the bulwark (bulwark ladder missing)

SEVERE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §4 and §7.2; A.1045(27) §5.2; MSC.576(110) §8.1.2 and §15.2

If unaddressed: Pilot must climb over full height bulwark with no assistance; high fall risk.

Safety & Process

3.6

Lifebuoy with self-igniting light not available for immediate use

MODERATE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §7.1.2; MSC.576(110) §15.1.2

If unaddressed: Delayed or no rescue if pilot falls into water.

3.7

No responsible officer on deck supervising embarkation

MODERATE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §2.2; MSC.576(110) §3.7

If unaddressed: No responsible officer supervising rigging and transfer; delayed response if the pilot falls or the arrangement fails.

3.9

Winch reel: ladder weight carried on winch drum, not secured to independent strongpoints

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: A.1045(27) §7.4-7.5; MSC.576(110) §20 and §21

If unaddressed: Winch brake failure drops ladder under load; catastrophic fall.

3.10

Mechanical hoist in use (strictly prohibited)

CATASTROPHIC

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §6; SOLAS V/23 §10 as amended by MSC.572(110); A.1045(27) §4

If unaddressed: Prohibited device, mechanical failure drops pilot; no regulatory basis for use.

3.11

Certification or documentation non-compliant

MODERATE

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §2.3-2.4; ISO 799-2:2021; MSC.576(110) Part D §§24-30 and Part F §§34-37; PSC deficiency code 10101

If unaddressed: Ladder identity, certification, inspection history, service-entry date, maintenance records, and future service-life compliance may not be verifiable.

3.12

Other

OTHER

Regulatory: SOLAS V/23 §1.1 and §2.1; MSC.576(110) §3.1

If unaddressed: Variable, pilot to describe in comments field.

This taxonomy is the reference used by the LadderWatch reporting system. Codes, descriptions, and severities are aligned to SOLAS V/23 and supporting IMO instruments. The 38-code structure and consequence-based severity model are part of the LadderWatch patent-pending methodology.