Emergency Contact Safe means of embarkation and disembarkation Home Latest updates News Safe means of embarkation and disembarkation 30 Aug 2017 Download Sign up for alerts A version of this document is also available for owners and operators of yachts, to assist them with their specific yacht operations. View/download PDF's: Shipowners - Safe means of embarkation and disembarkation Yachtowners - Safe means of embarkation and disembarkation   The Club would like to thank Bart Maaswinkel (B.Sc. / B.Eng.), Founder & Owner / Management Consultant RMI and P&I approved Yacht Surveyor at Dutch Swiss Marine, for his invaluable contribution to this article. The Club has recently dealt with several claims involving access to vessels, some of which have unfortunately resulted in injuries and even fatalities. Promptly after a ship has been secured, the Captain must at all times ensure that there is a safe means of access between the ship and quay, pontoon or another ship alongside, to enable people to access the berth or another vessel. In view of their size, the majority of Members’ vessels tend to utilise gangways or passerelles for this purpose. These are favoured over accommodation ladders which tend to be constructed for larger vessels. Approved gangways are normally required on ships of 30 metres in length or over, and approved accommodation ladders on ships of 120 metres in length or over. However, Members should clarify with their local regulations what is required for their specific operation. Where means of embarkation and disembarkation are fitted, other than those specifically covered by these guidelines, an equivalent level of safety should be provided. Construction requirements Gangways or passerelles should always be manufactured to a recognised international standard such as ISO 7061:2015, Shipbuilding – aluminium shore gangways for seagoing vessels or applicable national standards such as: The UK standard BSMA 78:1978, Specification for aluminium