ISO 16681:2025

Ships and marine technology - Pilot transfer arrangements - Ship hull securing equipment

This document specifies the performance, maintenance and inspection requirements, and usage recommendations for equipment (eye pads/rings, magnetic or pneumatic systems, etc.) used to secure (bowse) pilot ladders, accommodation ladders and man-ropes to a ship hull when a combination pilot ladder arrangement is used for pilot transfer.

Navires et technologie maritime — Dispositifs utilisés pour le transfert des pilotes — Équipement de fixation à la coque du navire

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 10-Sep-2025
• ICS: 47.020.10 - Hulls and their structure elements
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 8/SC 1 - Maritime safety
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 8/SC 1 - Maritime safety
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 11-Sep-2025
• Due Date: 17-May-2025
• Completion Date: 11-Sep-2025

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO 16681
First edition
Ships and marine technology —
2025-09
Pilot transfer arrangements — Ship
hull securing equipment
Navires et technologie maritime — Dispositifs utilisés pour le
transfert des pilotes — Équipement de fixation à la coque du navire
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Testing. 1
4.1 General .1
4.2 Holding force test .2
5 Inspection and maintenance instructions . 2
6 Inspection and maintenance records . 3
7 Storage . 3
8 Usage . 3
Bibliography . 4

iii
Foreword
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iv
Introduction
This document builds on the IMO requirements in SOLAS 74 Chapter V (Safety of Navigation) Regulation 23
[1]
(Pilot Transfer Arrangements), as amended, and IMO Resolution MSC.576(110) Performance Standards for
[2]
Pilot Transfer Arrangements. In accordance with IMO performance standards, use of ship hull securing
equipment (bowsing) for pilot ladder is mandatory for ships that employ pilots.
Since IMO instruments do not include specific requirements for prototype testing, holding performance,
maintenance, storage and use of ship hull securing equipment (bowsing) used to rig pilot transfer
arrangements, this document outlines specific requirements and recommendations for pilot boarding
arrangements. These requirements are considered necessary to ensure that hull securing (bowsing)
equipment is manufactured, maintained and stored to a standard that ensures the equipment supports safe
and efficient transfer of pilots and other personnel using pilot transfer arrangements.

v
International Standard ISO 16681:2025(en)
Ships and marine technology — Pilot transfer arrangements
— Ship hull securing equipment
1 Scope
This document specifies the performance, maintenance and inspection requirement
...