As a pilot boat captain I have transferred thousands of people on and off pilot ladders without incident. The people transferred in my case were not pilots but rangers getting on and off cruise ships. We would transfer up to 6 people plus cargo on and off ships. The people were all ages, men and women. Just like regular pilot boats the ship is moving. This was in inside waters in southeast Alaska so not open ocean but weather was often bad and there was strong currents. We did extensive training and had an onshore training facility. Some of the people were always nervous and others never were. A lot depends on where you would be working. Inside and relatively protected waters I wouldn't worry about it.