Overview
ISO 16681:2025 provides requirements and recommendations for ship hull securing equipment (commonly called bowsing) used with combination pilot ladder arrangements. It addresses performance, prototype testing, inspection and maintenance, storage and safe usage for equipment such as eye pads/rings and magnetic or pneumatic systems that secure pilot ladders, accommodation ladders and man-ropes to the ship hull.
This standard complements IMO SOLAS V/23 and IMO performance standards (MSC.576(110)) and references ISO 799-3 for holding force criteria.
Key Topics
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Scope and purpose: Defines the intended use of bowsing equipment to keep side ropes, lower accommodation platforms and man-ropes against the hull during roll and seaway conditions.
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Testing and prototype requirements:
- Manufacturers must test prototypes and repeat tests after any design change or failure.
- Holding force test: Equipment shall demonstrate holding capability on vertical bare steel with a load of up to 4.5 kN applied at 90° for not less than 3 minutes, remaining secured in its original position. Tests simulate real-world painted or uneven hull surfaces and are carried out in accordance with ISO 799-3 principles.
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Inspection and maintenance:
- Manufacturers must supply clear inspection and maintenance instructions consistent with IMO performance standards.
- Instructions should identify factors that reduce performance (e.g., hull shape, paint thickness, incorrect air pressure), describe pre-use inspections, list damage or wear that renders equipment unserviceable, and define inspection frequency and detailed checks.
- Guidance on expected service life, permitted user repairs, and storage recommendations must be provided.
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Records and traceability:
- Ships must keep records including serial or identity numbers, third-party certificates of compliance, manufacture and in-service dates, inspection dates and findings, and repair evidence (e.g., photographs).
Applications
ISO 16681:2025 is applicable to shipowners, ship operators, manufacturers and suppliers of bowsing systems, classification societies, port and flag authorities, and pilots. Practical benefits include:
- Improved safety and consistency when rigging pilot transfer arrangements.
- Clear manufacturer guidance for inspection, maintenance and storage that supports regulatory compliance.
- Traceable records to facilitate port state control, class or flag inspections.
Related Standards
- ISO 799-3: Pilot ladders - Part 3: Attachments and associated equipment (referenced for holding force requirements)
- IMO SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 23: Pilot Transfer Arrangements
- IMO Resolution MSC.576(110): Performance Standards for Pilot Transfer Arrangements
Keywords: pilot transfer arrangements, bowsing, pilot ladder, hull securing equipment, holding force, inspection, maintenance, ISO 16681:2025.