ISO 799-1-2019 PDF

Full title and description

Ships and marine technology — Pilot ladders — Part 1: Design and specification. This International Standard specifies design, materials, construction and marking requirements for shipboard pilot ladders used to enable maritime pilots to embark and disembark safely against a vertical portion of a ship’s hull.

Abstract

ISO 799-1:2019 defines minimum technical requirements for pilot ladders intended for merchant ships that embark and disembark maritime pilots while underway. It covers step construction and dimensions, side and securing rope characteristics, material and corrosion-resistance requirements, seizing and fixture details, spreader-step provisions and marking/identification necessary to support safe rigging, inspection and certification.

General information

• Status: Published (current/confirmed).
• Publication date: 19 February 2019.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 47.020.50 (Deck equipment and installations).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2019).
• Number of pages: 14.

The 2019 Part 1 edition supersedes the earlier ISO 799 (2004) and the standard was reviewed/confirmed in a later 5-year review cycle.

Scope

Applies to pilot ladders supplied for use on merchant ships that embark and disembark maritime pilots with the ship underway. Requirements address ladder geometry, materials, construction details, fittings, spreader steps and markings so ladders can be correctly rigged, inspected and maintained for safe pilot transfer operations. It is intended to be used alongside mandatory IMO/SOLAS transfer requirements and complementary maintenance/inspection guidance (see related standards).

Key topics and requirements

• Step construction and materials — steps to be one-piece hardwood or resilient plastic/rubber; lower four steps rubber; top face non-slip; minimum top-face width typically ≥115 mm and thickness ≥25 mm (excl. non‑skid).
• Step spacing and geometry — uniform spacing from top of one step to top of next: 330 mm ±20 mm; chocks/fixtures to hold steps level; spreader steps to prevent ladder twisting (first spreader commonly the 5th step from bottom; spreaders ≥1.8 m length where required).
• Side ropes and strength — continuous loop side ropes (no knots/joints except where allowed) formed as double lengths; individual uncovered ropes typically 20–22 mm with minimum breaking strength ≈24 kN each (combined strength per side ≈48 kN); ropes and securing arrangements must protect against chafe and galvanic corrosion.
• Securing ropes and fittings — securing rope length minimum ~3 m and designed breaking strength (manufacturer provisions commonly 48 kN for securing lines); thimbles, splices, approved shackles and proper seizing required; cable ties, worm-drive clips and u‑clamps are unacceptable for step fixtures.
• Materials and corrosion resistance — metallic parts to be corrosion-resistant or hot-dip galvanised per ISO 1461; stainless steel to be marine grade (referenced compositions); plastics must meet weathering retention criteria (ISO 877‑2).
• Seizing and step fixtures — specified seizing details (tarred marline or equivalent, minimum dimensions and breaking characteristics), figure‑of‑eight racking seizings and purpose-made clamp blocks or hardwood chocks to secure steps.
• Marking, testing and traceability — permanent markings (manufacturer, model, ISO 799‑1, SOLAS, year of assembly/reassembly and identification) and requirements for prototype/production testing and periodic strength tests; ladders must be identifiable for record-keeping and surveys.

Typical use and users

Primary users include shipbuilders, ladder manufacturers, shipowners, masters and deck officers, classification societies, port state control authorities and maritime pilots. The document is used to design, produce, accept and inspect pilot ladders to meet SOLAS/IMO transfer requirements and to reduce transfer-related accidents. Manufacturers reference ISO 799-1 when issuing certificates and when providing maintenance instructions and replacement parts.

Related standards

Directly related documents include ISO 799-2 (pilot ladders — maintenance, use, survey and inspection), IMO/SOLAS provisions and IMO resolutions on pilot transfer arrangements (e.g., IMO Res. A.1045(27) and SOLAS Chapter V requirements), and normative material standards referenced by the standard (examples: ISO 1181 for fibre ropes, ISO 1461 for galvanizing, ISO 15510 for stainless steel composition, ISO 877‑2 for plastic weathering tests).

Keywords

pilot ladder, pilot transfer, embarkation ladder, spreader step, side rope, securing rope, manila rope, SOLAS, ISO 799-1, maritime safety, ladder marking, rope seizing

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 799-1:2019 is an International Standard that specifies design and specification requirements for shipboard pilot ladders used for safe pilot embarkation and disembarkation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers materials, construction, step dimensions and spacing, rope requirements, seizing and fixtures, spreader-step provisions, marking, prototype/production testing and requirements to support safe rigging and inspection of pilot ladders.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Shipowners, masters and deck officers (for safe rigging and acceptance), ladder manufacturers and shipyards (for design and production), classification societies and flag/port state inspectors (for surveys and certification), and maritime pilots (as the end users).

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 799-1:2019 is the current Part 1 edition published in February 2019; it replaced earlier ISO 799 editions and the 2019 version was reviewed/confirmed in ISO’s periodic review process (confirmed in the ISO record). Users should check for any subsequent confirmations or amendments at the time of purchase or survey.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — Part 1 is the design/specification document; related parts include ISO 799-2 (maintenance, use, survey and inspection) and other guidance/IMO instruments addressing pilot transfer arrangements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Pilot ladder, spreader, side rope, securing rope, manila, SOLAS, pilot transfer, ISO 799-1, ladder marking, inspection.