Dutch maritime supplier Ned Marine Services has announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Drewil Entership, a Polish manufacturer of certified pilot and embarkation ladders.

According to the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), more than 400 pilot transfer incidents were reported in 2022 alone, with poor ladder condition and improper rigging accounting for nearly half. Investigators describe the issue as “low tech but high risk” — a single worn rope or incorrect shackle can turn a routine transfer into a deadly fall.