The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued as Pilot Advisory Note advising coastal pilots and pilotage suppliers concerning the existence of counterfeit pilot ladders and related certification.
In March 2019, one among AMSA’s Port Marine Surveyors recognized a pilot ladder onboard a vessel which gave the impression to be non-compliant with the pilot switch necessities. The related inspection certificates introduced on the time of the AMSA inspection, urged that the ladder was made by Qingdao Good Brother Marine Life-Saving Appliance.
China Classification Society (CCS) was subsequently requested to hold out an investigation with the producer.
The reply obtained from CCS indicated that one other firm had apparently bought ladders manufactured by the Qingdao Good Brother Marine Life-Saving Appliance. This firm then copied the product and created faux certification for it. They have then bought the counterfeit merchandise to clients who thought they had been buying the real merchandise.
CCS additionally indicated that the faux pilot ladder inspection certificates didn’t embody numerous anti-counterfeiting options and marks of authenticity that are included in real CSS marine product and sort approval certificates.
AMSA has been suggested that because of this latest investigation, the Qingdao Good Brother Marine Life-Saving Appliance has taken authorized motion towards Shenzhen Import & Export Company for producing faux copies of their merchandise.
“Where a person suspects that the pilot transfer arrangement provided is unsafe, they should refuse to use the arrangement until it is made safe by the master and crew and report the circumstances to AMSA and their employer,” says AMSA.
AMSA says it is going to endeavour to follow-up to find out the trigger and actions taken. Where a ship shouldn’t be calling into an Australian port, AMSA will observe up with the flag State.
