The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) has issued a notice relating to securing arrangements for pilot ladders. Suspending pilot ladders from deck tongues or hooks imposes loads on the ladders which they are not normally designed to withstand. There is also a risk of pilot ladders which are secured in this way becoming detached from deck tongues or hooks when in use. Securing arrangements where the weight of the pilot ladder is not transferred to the ship structure through the ladder’s side ropes are not normally considered acceptable.