Overview
ISO 24136:2021 - Ships and marine technology - Pilot ladder winch reels defines design, performance and test requirements for pilot ladder winch reels driven by hydraulic, pneumatic, electric or manual means. The standard applies to the design and acceptance testing of winch reels used exclusively with pilot ladders conforming to ISO 799-1 and explicitly excludes requirements for the prime mover and any use for “man lifting” activities. It supports safe pilot transfer arrangements in line with IMO guidance (A.1045).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability
- Intended only for pilot ladders meeting ISO 799-1; not for man-lifting.
- Covers right‑hand and left‑hand winch reel arrangements and fixed or track‑mounted reels.
- Design essentials
- Drum must accommodate the entire pilot ladder and avoid damaging spreader steps; minimum drum length 2.0 m.
- Drum structure connected to the pilot ladder; anti-rotation locking devices and mechanical locking pins for drum only.
- Materials must be free from asbestos; bearings and sliding parts must be adequately lubricated.
- Performance
- Performance to meet mechanical securing requirements of IMO A.1045 (27).
- Example performance data in the standard: nominal drum load 1.5 kN, holding load 3 kN, static test load 4.5 kN (other data accepted by agreement).
- Powered reels: innermost layer speed recommended ≤ 0.16 m/s.
- Drive must tolerate 1.5× drum load overload for 2 min without failure.
- Emergency stop must instantly and reliably halt the reel.
- Safety and controls
- Power‑driven reels require safety devices to cut power and lock the reel; hydraulic/pneumatic reels need a marked neutral lock.
- Manual emergency operation must be provided for power loss.
- Acceptance and on‑board tests
- Individual tests: 10 min operation without load, drum load tests (including 15 min hold and 2 min overload), static load test under 1.5× holding load, checks for oil‑tightness, speed, noise and brake function.
- On‑board tests: full ladder lowering/hoisting cycles and static 1.5× holding load application.
- Marking
- Nameplate must include product name, manufacturer, “ISO 24136” and “SOLAS”, drive type, reel form, nominal size, drum and holding loads, motor power, year, and approval identification.
Applications and users
ISO 24136:2021 is used by:
- Shipbuilders and marine equipment manufacturers specifying or producing pilot ladder winch reels
- Shipowners, ship operators and crew responsible for pilot transfer safety
- Classification societies and maritime safety authorities for equipment approval and inspections
- Port authorities and marine pilots evaluating ship transfer arrangements
Adoption of ISO 24136 supports compliant, safe pilot transfer equipment design, acceptance testing and maintenance practices.
Related standards
- ISO 799-1 - Pilot ladders (required interface)
- IMO Assembly resolution A.1045 (27) - Pilot transfer arrangements
- ISO 3828 - Deck machinery vocabulary and symbols
Keywords: ISO 24136:2021, pilot ladder winch reels, pilot ladder, ships, marine technology, SOLAS, ISO 799-1, acceptance tests, drum load, holding load.