Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173:body:0:p28
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01173
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 73195–75850

to or from a ship must be:
       strong enough to support the weight placed on it;
       free of damage, degradation or wear that may affect the strength of the means of access;
       secured to prevent accidental displacement;
       illuminated sufficiently for people to use it safely at night;
       clear of the path of cargo being loaded or unloaded from a ship;
       kept clean and free of any material that could make its use unsafe, including any snow, ice, grease or other substance likely to cause a slip or fall;
       properly rigged and adjusted to allow for any changes in tidal levels and the ship's trim and freeboard;
       at an angle allowing safe access to the ship;
       firmly landed and clear of wharf edge and other potential hazards; and
       placed so that no suspended load passes over it.
Access equipment should be properly maintained and inspected at frequent intervals. It should not be painted or treated to conceal cracks or defects.
A lifebuoy with a self-activating light and a separate safety line or some similar device should be provided at the point of access aboard the ship.
Safety netting must protect the length of the accommodation ladder or gangway, including protecting the user from falling between the ship and the quayside. The safety net must meet the requirements in Marine Order 12.
Accommodation ladders and gangways should be clearly marked with maximum designed angle of use and maximum safe loading in both number of persons and total weight. Under no circumstances should this limit be exceeded.
The person in command of a ship at anchor or at a mooring may provide a pilot ladder as a means of access if the use of an accommodation ladder is impracticable. The use of such ladder, except in an emergency, must be limited to pilots and other persons engaged in or in relation to the business of the ship. In such cases an assessment of the risks associated with using the pilot ladder should be carried out and the use of appropriate risk controls, such as buoyancy vests and/or harnesses, should be considered.
Section 22.2 provides further guidance on access to vehicle ferries or roll-on/roll-off vessels (RO-ROs).

5.1              Accommodation ladders and gangways
The specifications for accommodation ladders and gangways are contained in Marine Order 12.
If the gangway rests on rollers or wheels, it should be fitted or protected in such a way as to prevent the user's feet from being caught and it should be placed in a position that does not restrict the free movement of the rollers or wheels. Where the wharf surface is irregular or gaps or ledges exist that may