Does A Pilot need a Helmet?

 Does a pilot need to wear a helmet?

The most critical part of a harbour pilot’s job is being  transferred from the pilot boat to the ship and vice versa. Many accident cases occurred  involving pilots falling from the pilot ladder either on the pilot boat or into the water with regard to various factors such as weather, ship's motion, failure of the pilot'  s ladder, human error etc.

Thus, the pilot’s personal protective equipment is merely important in order to avoid any severe injury should any unforeseen circumstance occur. 

Even though we still see pilots wearing what could be described as their Sunday's best on most of the reputable pilot organizations as it is mandatory now where at least an automatically inflatable lifejacket which incorporates all the SOLAS requirements for lifejackets.

Safety shoes or boots and non-slippery gloves are usually also standard equipment used by the prudent pilot, even unnecessarily required.

All these are merely important for the pilot but incapability of providing adequate protection should a pilot suffer a more than probable head injury on a fall accident.

Several falling accidents had shown that often pilots involved were unconscious and unable to save themselves. Anything dropped from the deck even a small shackle pins from the pilot ladder itself can cause serious head injury.

Therefore, it is recommended that appropriate safety helmets with light, comfortable and with neutral buoyancy, which minimize the risk of neck and spine injury for water impact.