Captain Jason Wiltshire CMMar, Vice-Chair of the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA), visited the Maritime Skills Academy (MSA) in Dover during Maritime Safety Week 2026, marking continued progress in the two organisations’ shared commitment to raising standards in pilot ladder safety.
The visit provided an opportunity to review developments since MSA’s Pilot Ladder Safety Training Course became the first in the UK to carry formal UKMPA endorsement, and to discuss how the partnership continues to evolve in line with best practice and operational requirements.
Alongside the endorsed course, UKMPA has developed an interactive pilot ladder poster designed to translate the requirements of current legislation and guidance into a clear, practical reference tool for pilots and vessel crews. Where previously practitioners had to navigate complex regulatory documents, the poster presents the same information in an accessible, visual format that supports confident, real-world application.
The two resources reflect a broader principle: that safety is most effective when it is led with purpose and communicated in ways that translate directly into knowledge and action at the point of transfer.
Captain Jason Wiltshire CMMar, UKMPA Vice-Chair, said: “Maritime Safety Week is a timely reminder that safety culture has to be led, and it has to keep moving forward. Our work – the endorsed Pilot Ladder Course and the interactive pilot ladder poster – is about making sure safety translates into practical steps and real knowledge, not just compliance on paper. That work continues.”
Mark Jaenicke, Operations Director at Maritime Skills Academy, commented: “Our partnership with UKMPA demonstrates what can be achieved when industry expertise and practical training come together. By making pilot ladder safety more accessible, understandable and actionable, we can help build safer working practices and reduce avoidable risks during pilot transfers.”
MSA has established itself as a leader in maritime safety training, bringing creative thinking to the design of courses and tools that raise the bar across the industry. Their approach – turning complex standards into training that sticks – is precisely what the sector needs more of. UKMPA is proud to work alongside a team that shares its commitment to reducing preventable incidents at sea.
Pilot transfer operations remain one of the highest-risk activities in the maritime sector, with global transfer incidents averaging around two pilot fatalities each year. The UKMPA and MSA’s ongoing collaboration – spanning training endorsement, practical resource development, and regular engagement – reflects a shared determination to reduce that toll.
Pictured: Captain Jason Wiltshire CMMar, UKMPA Vice-Chair, with Mark Jaenicke, Operations Director, Maritime Skills Academy, Dover (part of Viking Maritime Group).
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For press enquiries or further information, please contact:
United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA)
www.ukmpa.org
About the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA)
The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) is the professional body representing approximately 500 licensed maritime pilots across the UK. Committed to the highest standards of safety, efficiency and professionalism in pilotage, the UKMPA advocates for its members and promotes best practice across the global maritime industry.
Maritime pilots play a critical role in guiding vessels safely through UK waters, protecting lives, property, and the marine environment, while ensuring the smooth movement of goods and passengers vital to the national economy.
For more information, visit www.ukmpa.org
About Maritime Skills Academy
Maritime Skills Academy (MSA), part of Viking Maritime Group, is a leading provider of maritime safety training, with facilities in the UK, Gibraltar, and Malta. MSA delivers a range of accredited and industry-endorsed courses designed to equip maritime professionals with the skills and knowledge required to operate safely at sea.
For more information, visit www.maritimeskillsacademy.com
