Marine Advisory: 01/2025 - Counterfeit pilot ladders: importance of verifying genuine SOLAS-approved equipment

Subject: Counterfeit pilot ladders: importance of verifying genuine SOLAS-approved equipment

Dear Shipowner/Operator/Master/Recognized Organization:

The objective of this Marine Advisory is to provide awareness and guidance on the recent United States Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Alert 11-24 focused on counterfeit pilot ladders and the importance of verifying genuine SOLAS-approved equipment.

Requirements

The Maritime Safety Alert issued by the USCG is intended to highlight the importance of inspecting pilot ladders and verifying certification details.

Background

Marine Inspectors from Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (NCR) discovered counterfeit pilot ladders during a Port State Control Examination at the Port of Baltimore. The identification plate on the ladder contained several errors, including referencing ISO 779-1 instead of the correct standard, ISO 799-1, and lacking the ISO 799-1 designation type. Additionally, while the serial number on the ladder matched the accompanying certificate, the number of steps and the length of the ladder did not align with the specifications listed on the certificate.

The plate and certificate indicated that the ladder was produced by “QINGDAO GOOD BROTHER MARINE LIFE SAVING APPLIANCE Co. LTD.,” a company that manufactures SOLAS-approved pilot ladders. However, in March 2019, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority identified counterfeit pilot ladders falsely bearing this company's name and SOLAS certification.

Recommendations

The US Coast Guard strongly recommends that owners, manufacturers, operators, recognized organizations and service providers:

• Thoroughly inspect pilot ladders to ensure vessels are outfitted with genuine SOLAS-approved equipment.
• Verify certification details. Check for proper ISO approval numbers and ensure the specifications on the certificate match the actual ladder.

Detailed guidance on “Counterfeit pilot ladders” is provided in the Administration’s Marine Notice SAF 014 Pilot

Transfer Arrangements

If you have any questions, please contact our Fleet Performance Department by Telephone +1-703-790-3434 or by email to prevention@liscr.com.

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Inspections and Compliance Directorate

December 26, 2024 Safety Alert 11-24

Washington DC

COUNTERFEIT PILOT LADDERS: IMPORTANCE OF VERIFYING GENUINE SOLAS-APPROVED EQUIPMENT

Marine Inspectors from Sector Maryland-National Capital

Region (NCR) discovered counterfeit pilot ladders during a Port State Control Examination at the Port of Baltimore. The identification plate on the ladder (Figure 1) contained several errors, including referencing ISO 779-1 instead of the correct standard, ISO 799-1, and lacking the ISO 799-1 designation type. Additionally, while the serial number on the ladder

matched the accompanying certificate, the number of steps and

the length of the ladder did not align with the specifications _{Figure 1: Fraudulent Certification Placard} listed on the certificate.

The plate and certificate indicated that the ladder was produced by “QINGDAO GOOD BROTHER MARINE LIFE SAVING

APPLIANCE Co. LTD.,” a company that manufactures

SOLAS-approved pilot ladders. However, in March 2019, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority identified counterfeit pilot ladders falsely bearing this company's name and SOLAS certification. An authentic example of a pilot ladder plate from

QINGDAO GOOD BROTHER MARINE LIFE SAVING

APPLIANCE Co. LTD is shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 2: Valid Certification Placard.

The Coast Guard strongly recommends that ship owners and operators:

• Thoroughly inspect pilot ladders to ensure vessels are outfitted with genuine SOLAS- approved equipment.
• Verify certification details. Check for proper ISO approval numbers and ensure the specifications on the certificate match the actual ladder.

This Safety Alert is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational, or material requirement. Developed by Sector Maryland- National Capitol Region and distributed by the Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis. Questions may be sent to HQS-SMB-CG-INV@uscg.mil.

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December 26, 2024 Safety Alert 11-24

Washington DC

Figure 3 - Valid certification placard, edited and enhanced for clarity.

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