Patent ID: 7637350

Claim:
A portable ladder comprising: a pair of coaming frame members adapted to be positioned outside of a barge coaming; a plurality of safety treads extending between and attached to the coaming frame members forming a coaming ladder portion; a pair of transverse frame members attached to the pair of coaming frame members at one end thereof, wherein the transverse frame members are substantially perpendicular to the coaming frame members whereby the transverse frame members are adapted to extend across the barge coaming; a decking tread member extending between and attached to the transverse frame members forming a walkway for an operator to traverse the coaming; hold frame members attached to one end of the transverse frame members, wherein the hold frame members have a distal end that is spaced from the transverse frame members and is vertically lower than a distal end of the coaming frame members that is spaced from the transverse frame members whereby the hold frame members are adapted to extend into the barge hold; a plurality of safety treads extending between and attached to the hold frame members at least partially forming a hold access ladder portion; adjustable legs slidably received in the hold frame members; at least one auxiliary tread attachable to the legs forming optional additional treads for the ladder as the legs are extended; and a coaming securing mechanism to prevent ladder lateral slippage during use, wherein the coaming securing mechanism includes a stop adjustably attached to the transverse frame members.