For many people the gangway or accommodation ladder is the first point of contact with a ship. Initial impressions are important, and a securely rigged ladder may be the first indication to a visitor that they are boarding a well run vessel. However, someone compelled to climb a ladder which is unsteady, slippery or unsafe may have formed an unfavourable opinion of the ship and its crew by the time they have reached the top.
Gangway Incidents
Gangways and accommodation ladders can be hazardous if badly rigged, improperly attended or inadequately maintained. In spite of the acknowledged dangers, accidents associated with such shortcomings continue to arise.
In a recent incident three seamen sustained injuries, one seriously, after falling to the quay from an accommodation ladder which they were breaking out. In another, failure to raise the gangway while warping astern placed undue stress on the top platform hinge pins which worked loose and caused the gangway to collapse. Similarly, a number of disembarking personnel were injured when an aluminium gangway they were using broke in half. The weakness was traced to a cracked structural member which had deteriorated unnoticed over a period of time.
In another case a seaman disregarded the gangway altogether and chose to reach the shore by stepping over the vessel's bulwarks. The seaman slipped in the process and was badly injured after falling between the ship and the quay.
It is not uncommon for the Managers to be notified of injuries sustained by crew, stevedores, port officials, contractors or other visitors while embarking or disembarking. Steps, whether they be part of a ship's access arrangements or a flight of stairs ashore, increase the chances of slips and falls occurring.
However, given that gangways and accommodation ladders are susceptible to movement by external factors such as cargo operations, tidal conditions, swell and other gangway users, the risks may be magnified.
Rigging
Gangways and accommodation ladders are heavy and cumbersome pieces of equipment. It is essential that the personnel required to break out and rig ladders or operate lifting gear are sufficiently experienced, bearing in mind the consequences of a mistake. Anyone unfamiliar with such tasks should be closely supervised by a responsible person until considered competent. Lifejackets and/or safety harnesses should be worn as appropriate.
Surveyors carrying out condition surveys for the Club often report occasions where a vessel's gangway or accommodation ladder was rigged incorrectly. Safety nets are often the subject of such observations and are frequently found to be secured to each side of the ladder along its entire length. This results in the net hanging uselessly below the steps instead of leading away to the side of the ship to catch anyone unfortunate enough to fall off.
Rope guardrails must be tight if they are to be effective, and all stanchions must be fitted into place and properly secured. Steps, handrails and platforms should be free of oil, grease and ice. When landed on the quay, care should also be taken to ensure that the lifting bridle is kept well above head height or moved clear as necessary.
Close attention should be paid to shore and shipboard approaches to the access arrangements as there may be significant differences in height between the ends of the ladder and the quay or deck. This may mean providing an independent step or steps to minimise the risk of slips and falls. In may also be advisable to post warning notices in such cases.
Gangways and accommodation ladders should be adequately illuminated at night, particularly at each end. If there are no permanent fittings, portable lighting should be rigged.
A lifebuoy with a self-activating light plus a buoyant lifeline with float attached should be stationed nearby ready for immediate use. Many companies also place a small box containing a fire plan, stowage plan, stability details, crew list and other relevant information at the head of the ladder ready to be grabbed in an emergency.
For general reference a diagram of an accommodation ladder appears on the following page showing many of the key points to consider during the rigging process.
Positioning
As far as practicable, boarding arrangements should be positioned away from working areas and places where cargo may pass overhead. If there appears to be no safe option using the ship's own equipment, it may be possible to hire a shore gangway if such facilities are available. It should be remembered that tending a shore gangway and ensuring it is rigged safely remains the responsibility of the vessel.
Gangways should never be secured to a ship's guard rails unless they have been designed for that purpose. If positioned through an open section of bulwark or railings, any remaining gaps should be roped off.
Consideration should also be given to the angle of inclination, making sure that design limits are not exceeded. It may be necessary to provide alternative arrangements if the means of access is likely to become excessively steep. National legislation on this issue may vary, but in the absence of firm rules it may be prudent to observe UK regulations; a gangway should not be used if its angle of inclination is more than 30 degrees above or below the horizontal, similarly for an accommodation ladder if the angle is more than 55 degrees below the horizontal, unless designed and constructed for use at angles greater than these.
Tending
Gangways and accommodation ladders require constant adjustment due to movement caused by tidal conditions and variations in draft and trim.
Regular monitoring is essential as changed circumstances may lead to a vessel's access arrangements rapidly becoming difficult to negotiate.
The deck watch should also look out for potential dangers ashore such as bollards, tracks and cranes bearing in mind that most ladders are constructed of aluminium alloy and are easily damaged.
To assist those responsible for tending gangways and accommodation ladders, it may be worthwhile noting the times of high and low water on the sailing board each day.
Maintenance
Inspection and maintenance routines should always be carried out in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. Additional checks should be made each time the ladder is rigged, looking out for signs of distortion, cracks and corrosion.
If an aluminium ladder has fittings made of mild steel, these areas should be examined closely. Accelerated corrosion may occur if the two metals come into contact, and deterioration of the separation material could lead to a severely weakened structure.
Bent stanchions should be replaced or repaired, and guard ropes inspected for wear and renewed where necessary. Moving parts should be free to turn, and greased as appropriate. Lifting equipment should be inspected, tested and maintained according to a planned schedule, paying careful attention to the condition of the hoist wires.
Arrangements should also be made to examine the underside of gangways and accommodation ladders at regular intervals. It is often difficult to gain access to these areas in the course of normal activities and it may be necessary to turn the ladder over periodically to perform a detailed inspection.
All inspections, maintenance work and repairs should be recorded in order to provide an accurate history for each appliance.
Checklists
Checklists may be used as an additional safeguard when rigging gangways and accommodation ladders. Members may wish to adapt the attached example to suit their own requirements.
1. Rope guardrails tight
2. Stanchions free of distortion and all in place
3. Safety net positioned between ladder and ship
4. Hoisting arrangements clear of head height
5. Steps free of oil, grease and ice
6. Bottom platform level (where fitted)
7. Lighting arrangements positioned effectively
8. Base clear of obstructions
9. Lifebuoy with light/line with float available
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