ISO 16681:2025

FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/FDIS 16681
ISO/TC 8/SC 1
Ships and marine technology —
Secretariat: ANSI
Pilot transfer arrangements — Ship
Voting begins on:
hull securing equipment
2025-06-09
Voting terminates on:
2025-08-04
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO­
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
Reference number
ISO/FDIS 16681:2025(en) © ISO 2025

FINAL DRAFT
ISO/FDIS 16681:2025(en)
International
Standard
ISO/FDIS 16681
ISO/TC 8/SC 1
Ships and marine technology —
Secretariat: ANSI
Pilot transfer arrangements — Ship
Voting begins on:
hull securing equipment
Voting terminates on:
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2025
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO­
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/FDIS 16681:2025(en) © ISO 2025

ii
ISO/FDIS 16681:2025(en)
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
ISO/FDIS 16681:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology, Subcommittee
SC 1, Maritime safety.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
ISO/FDIS 16681:2025(en)
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 performance standards for 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
...

Date: 2025-05-02
Style Definition
...
Formatted: French (Switzerland)
ISO/DISFDIS 16681
Formatted: French (Switzerland)
ISO/TC 8/SC 1/WG 2
Formatted: zzCover large
Secretariat: ANSI
Formatted
...
Date: 2025-05-23
Formatted: Cover Title_A1
Ships and marine technology — Pilot transfer arrangements— —
Ship hull securing equipment
FDIS stage
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
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
E-mail: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
iv © ISO 2025 – All rights reserved

Contents
Foreword .vi
Introduction . vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Testing . 1
5 Inspection and maintenance instructions . 2
6 Inspection and maintenance records. 3
7 Storage . 3
8 Usage . 3
Bibliography . 5

v © ISO 2025 – All rights reserved

Foreword Formatted: Line spacing: single, Widow/Orphan
control, Adjust space between Latin and Asian text,
Adjust space between Asian text and numbers, Tab
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
stops: Not at 0.71 cm
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
Formatted: Widow/Orphan control, Adjust space
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International between Latin and Asian text, Adjust space between
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO Asian text and numbers
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documentsdocument should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance
with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Formatted: Font color: Hyperlink
Formatted: Font color: Hyperlink
Attention is drawnISO draws attention to the possibility that some of the elementsimplementation of
Field Code Changed
this document may beinvolve the subjectuse of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the
evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights. in respect thereof. As of the date of
publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to
implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest
information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights
identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.htmlwww.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology,
Subcommittee SC 1, Maritime safety.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
Field Code Changed
Formatted: Font color: Hyperlink, English (United

Kingdom)
Formatted: Font color: Hyperlink, English (United
Kingdom)
vi © ISO 2025 – All rights reserved

Formatted: Adjust space between Latin and Asian text,
Introduction
Adjust space between Asian text and numbers
This document builds on the IMO requirements in SOLAS 74 Chapter V (Safety of Navigation) Regulation
[1]
23 (Pilot Transfer Arrangements), as amended,, and performance standards for 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.

vii © ISO 2025 – All rights reserved

Contents
Foreword .iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Testing, inspection and manufacture . 1
5 Inspection and maintenance instructions . 2
6 Inspection and maintenance records . 3
7 Storage . 3
8  Usage. 4
Bibliography . 5

viii © ISO 2025 – All rights reserved

ISO/FDIS 16681:2025(Een)
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ix
Formatted: Left: 1.5 cm, Right: 1.5 cm, Top: 1.4 cm,
Ships and marine technology — Pilot transfer arrangements — Ship Bottom: 1 cm, Header distance from edge: 1.27 cm,
Footer distance from edge: 0.5 cm
hull securing equipment
1 Scope Formatted: Adjust space between Latin and Asian text,
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This document provides performance, maintenance and inspection requirements, and usage
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recommendations for equipment (eye pads/rings, magnetic or pneumatic systems, etc.) used to secure
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(bowse) pilot ladders, accommodation ladders and man-ropes to a ship hull when a combination pilot ladder
arrangement is used for pilot transfer.
2 Normative references Formatted: Adjust space between Latin and Asian text,
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The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 799-3:, Ships and marine technology -— Pilot ladders -— Part 3: Attachments and associated equipment
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3 Terms and definitions
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For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
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ISO and IEC maintain terminologicalterminology databases for use in standardization at the following
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addresses:
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— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obphttps://www.iso.org/obp
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— — IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/https://www.electropedia.org/
stops: Not at 0.7 cm + 1.4 cm + 2.1 cm + 2.8 cm +
3.5 cm + 4.2 cm + 4.9 cm + 5.6 cm + 6.3 cm + 7 cm
3.1 3.1
bowsing Formatted: Adjust space between Latin and Asian text,
practice of physically securing the side rope of pilot ladder, the lower platform of accommodation ladder and Adjust space between Asian text and numbers
man-ropes to the ship's hull in such a way that it remains against the hull even if the ship rolls
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3.2 3.2
stops: Not at 0.7 cm + 1.4 cm + 2.1 cm + 2.8 cm +
user
3.5 cm + 4.2 cm + 4.9 cm + 5.6 cm + 6.3 cm + 7 cm
ship’s master, officers and crew who operate a ship on a day-to-day basis
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and Asian text, Adjust space between Asian text and
4 Testing
numbers
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4.1 4.1 General
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Asian text and numbers
Prototypes of the bowsing equipment, including any fittings and critical components shall meet the
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requirements specified in paragraph 4.2.4.2. If any part of the bowsing equipment is permanently deformed
and Asian text, Adjust space between Asian text and
as a result of testing, the cause shall be identified and any design changes shall be made. After a test failure or
numbers
design change, the test shall be repeated until the requirements specified in paragraph 4.2 is achieved.4.2 are
achieved. A manufacturer shall have a quality assurance system to ensure that bowsing equipment is produced
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to the same standard as the original prototype.

ISO /FDIS 16681:2025(Een) Formatted: Font: 11 pt
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4.2 4.2 Holding force test
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4.2.1 4.2.1 Holding force testing shall be conducted using vertical bare steel to simulate a ship hull. Noting
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that a ship hull is not clean bare steel, a force in excess of the minimum holding force required byin
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accordance with ISO 799-3 is specified in this standardshall be applied.
text, Adjust space between Asian text and numbers, Tab
stops: Not at 0.7 cm + 1.4 cm + 2.1 cm + 2.8 cm +
Note: Bowing equipment should be tested to demonstrate a holding force of up to 4.5kN,5 kN to ensure that
3.5 cm + 4.2 cm + 4.9 cm + 5.6 cm + 6.3 cm + 7 cm
when it is in operational use on painted or uneven surfaces, it can comply with the minimum holding force
[1]
required by SOLAS regulation V/23. Formatted: Font: Not Bold
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4.2.2 4.2.2 For equipment used to secure (bowse) side rope of a pilot ladder or man-rope to a ship’s hull,:
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a) the equipment shall be affixed to a vertical bare steel plate capable of withstanding a force of 4,5 kN is
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applied to it; and
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b) a load of 4,5 kN shall be applied at 90 degrees to the steel plate using the bowsing equipment for a period
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of not less than 3 mins, during which the bowsing equipment shall remain secured to the
...