HSQEEn 5.

20: Gangway and Accommodation ladders

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 ship.
However, someone compelled to climb a ladder which is unsteady, slippery or unsafe may
have formed an unfavorable opinion of the ship and its crew by the time they have reached
the top.
Each accommodation ladder or gangway should be clearly marked at each end with a plate
showing the restrictions on the safe operation and loading, including the maximum and
minimum permitted design angles of inclination, design load, maximum load on bottom end
plate, etc. Where the maximum operational load is less than the design load, it should also be
shown on the marking plate. The lower platform must be marked with the maximum load
mentioned on the plates at each end.

Gangway incidents
Gangways and accommodation ladders can be hazardous if badly rigged, improperly
attended or inadequately maintained. Despite the acknowledged dangers, accidents
associated with such shortcomings continue to arise.
P & I Club has reported an incident where three seamen sustained injuries, one seriously,
after falling on the quay from the 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,
several disembarking personnel were injured when an aluminum gangway they were using
broke in half.
The weakness was traced to a cracked structural member which had deteriorated unnoticed
over a period.
In another case a seaman disregarded the gangway altogether and choselose to reach the
shore by stepping over the ship’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 insurance company to be notified of injuries sustained by the
crew, stevedores, port officials, contractors or other visitors while embarking or
disembarking. Steps, whether they are a part of a ship’s access arrangements or a flight of
stairs ashore, increase the chances of slips and fall 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 risk may be magnified.
Rigging
Gangway 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.
Insurance and vetting inspection Surveyors often report occasions where a ship’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 guard rails must be tight if they are to be effective, and all stanchions, free of distortion,
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 be taken to ensure that the
lifting bridle is kept well above head height or moved clear as necessary. Also, the pivots of
the upper and lower platform must be checked and carefully secured in place by lock nuts
and pins.
Close attention should be paid to shore and shipboard approaches to the access
arrangements as there may be significant deficiencies in height between the ends of the
ladder and the quay or deck. This may mean providing an independent step, or steps to
minimize the risk of slips and falls. It may also be advisable to post warning notices in such
cases. Warning notices should include advertisement informing the maximum number of
persons permissible at a time walk up or down the accommodation ladder.
Gangway 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 life-buoy with a self-activating light plus a buoyant lifeline with float attached should be
stationed nearby ready for immediate use.
A small box containing a fire plan, crew list and other relevant information must be placed at
the head of the ladder, ready to be grabbed in an emergency. For general reference, a Formatted: Strikethrough
diagram of an accommodation ladder and a gangway is enclosed to this circular showing the
key points to consider during the rigging process.

Tending
Gangways and accommodation ladders require constant adjustment due to movement
caused or tidal conditions and/or variations in draft and trim.
Regular monitoring is essential as changed circumstances may rapidly lead to a ship’s access
arrangements.
The deck watch should also look out for potential dangersrous ashore such as bollard, tracks
and cranes, bearing in mind that the ladders are made of aluminum alloy and are easily
damaged. To assist those responsible for tending gangways and accommodation ladders, it
may be worth while noting the times of the 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 aluminum ladder has
fitting made of mild steel (lifting pads eyes), 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, such as upper rotating platform, torque tube and
wire rope pulleys should be free to turn, and greased as appropriate.
Pivots and lock nuts with pins of both platforms should be inspected for wear and renewed if
they are worn off or corroded.
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 gangway and
accommodation ladders at regular intervals. It is often difficult to gain access to these areas
during the normal activities and it may be necessary to turn the ladder over periodically to
perform a detailed inspection.
All inspections, maintenance work and repair should be recorded to provide an accurate
history for each appliance.
Corrosion still forms a main reason for gangway wire failures. It is recommended to use
Stainless Steel wire ropes to provide additional strength and to avoid premature failures. In
absence of a suitable stainless steel wire rope, Galvanized steel wire ropes can be used as per
makers instructions.
Wire lubricator is to be provided onboard as a standard supply for effective lubrication of the
wires.

References:
1. Loss prevention briefing by North of England (Wire ropes and their uses)
2. Loss prevention bulletin by West of England (Gangways and accommodation ladders) Formatted: List Paragraph, Numbered + Level: 1 +
Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment:
Left + Aligned at: 0.08" + Indent at: 0.33"
Formatted: Font: (Default) Calibri, 12 pt