1.1 The master of a ship in port must ensure that the means of access to the ship provided by the master for persons boarding or disembarking from the ship is safe and complies with:
(a) section 67 of this Order; or
(b) Regulation 3-9 of Chapter II‑1 of SOLAS and IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1331.
Note Regulation 3-9 of Chapter II-I of SOLAS is adopted by IMO resolution MSC.256(84).
1.2 If a means of access is provided by a port authority or other person, the master must take measures to ensure that any safety concern has the attention of:
(a) the person providing access; and
(b) a person requiring access to or from the ship.
1.3 If access is provided between 2 adjacent ships lying alongside, the master of the ship with the higher weather deck must ensure that the means of access between the ships is safe.
1.4 The master of a ship must ensure that the means of passage between a ship’s deck and the upper end of a gangway resting on a bulwark or side rail of the ship is a bulwark ladder with handrails.
Note A bulwark ladder is a set of substantial steps designed to allow a person safely to ascend to or descend from the top of a ship’s bulwark or side rail.
1.5 If the master of a ship at anchor or at a mooring considers that the use of an accommodation ladder is impracticable, he or she:
(a) may provide a pilot ladder as a means of access to or from the ship; and
(b) must ensure that the only persons using the ladder are pilots and other persons on the business of the ship; and
(c) may allow any person to use the ladder in an emergency.
1.6 A cargo access ramp may be used as a means of access to and from a ship in the following circumstances:
(a) a non-slip surface is provided and marked for pedestrian use;
(b) the sides of the ramp have guard rails or equivalent arrangements to prevent pedestrians from falling from the ramp;
(c) either:
(i) the pedestrian area is effectively and protectively separated from the vehicular area; or
(ii) pedestrians are permitted to use the ramp only when the ramp is not in use by vehicles.
1.7 A person boarding or leaving a ship must use the means of access provided by the master or identified by the master.
1.8 If a surveyor considers that a means of access to or from a ship does not comply with this Order, he or she may give written notice to the master:
(a) prohibiting the use of the means of access; and
(b) stating the action the master must take to ensure compliance with this Order.
1.9 A master receiving a notice under subclause 1.8 must ensure that the means of access is not used until the action required by paragraph 1.8(b) is complete.
2 Requirements
2.1 A safe means of access to or from a ship must be the following:
(a) of sufficient strength to support the weight placed on it;
(b) clean and free of damage, degradation or wear that may affect the strength of the means of access;
(c) secured to prevent accidental displacement;
(d) illuminated sufficiently for people to use it safely at night;
(e) clear of the path of cargo being loaded or unloaded from a ship;
(f) kept clean and free of any material that could make its use unsafe;
(g) properly rigged and adjusted to allow for any changes in tidal levels and the ship’s trim and freeboard;
(h) at an angle allowing safe access to the ship;
(i) firmly landed and clear of wharf edge and other potential hazards.
2.2 A gangway may be placed on a bulwark or side rail of a ship only if the bulwark or side rail is of sufficient strength to bear the weight of the gangway and persons using it.
2.3 A telescopic accommodation ladder may be used as a means of access only if its sections are locked together to prevent variation in length.
2.4 The master must take reasonable and practical measures to protect persons from injury caused by falling from an accommodation ladder or a gangway, including using safety netting.
2.5 Safety netting must protect the length of the accommodation ladder or gangway, including protecting the user from falling between the ship and the quayside.
3 Accommodation ladders
3.1 An accommodation ladder:
(a) may be single‑flight, multi‑flight or telescopic; and
(b) if it is multi‑flight — must have any intermediate platforms self‑levelling and supported so that it remains horizontal in use; and
(c) if it is telescopic — must have the means to allow the ladder sections to be locked together to prevent variation in length.
3.2 The upper end of an accommodation ladder must be hinged from a fixed or revolving platform that is secured to the ship and supported so that it remains horizontal in use.
3.3 The lower end of an accommodation ladder must be fitted with a platform that is supported so that it remains horizontal in use.
Note It is recommended that the lower end of an accommodation ladder resting on a wharf in use, is fitted with wheels or rollers to enable free movement.
3.4 The sides of every platform, except access openings, must be fenced in accordance with subclause 3.7.
3.5 The treads of an accommodation ladder must:
(a) be at least 550 mm in clear width; and
(b) have a non‑slip surface of sufficient depth to avoid clogging; and
(c) be spaced at suitable and equally spaced intervals; and
(d) subject to paragraph (b) — be of a shape and design that gives a person using it a flat or curved surface to step on.
3.6 If a ship constructed before 25 May 1980 has an accommodation ladder with fixed flat treads and a person using it has to step on a corner edge of the tread, the ladder must be securely fitted with cleated duckboards.
3.7 An accommodation ladder must be fenced on each side of its entire length with upper and intermediate side rails.
3.8 The height of a side rail must be measured from the surface of the treads, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ladder.
3.9 Side rails must not be more than 0.61 m apart and the upper rail must be at a height of at least 1.07 m.
3.10 However, for a ship that is not registered in Australia, a surveyor may permit the use of a side rail that does not comply with subclause 3.8 if the surveyor thinks that it provides adequate protection.
3.11 A side rail may be a fixed rail or a taut rope or chain.
3.12 Any covering material used on a rope or chain must be capable of removal to allow inspection of the condition of the rope or chain.
3.13 Side rails must be supported by stanchions spaced not more than 2 m apart.
3.14 The stanchions must be fitted with a locking device to prevent accidental dislodgment.
4 Gangway
4.1 A gangway must:
(a) have a closely boarded walkway, at least 550 mm in clear width, that is fitted with transverse treads at suitable and equally spaced intervals; and
(b) be fenced on each side of its entire length with upper and intermediate side rails that comply with clause 4; and
(c) if a derrick or crane is needed to position or stow it — must have lifting attachments that balance it while it is freely suspended.
4.2 The upper end of a gangway must be fitted with suitable means to secure it effectively to a ship.
Note The lower end of a gangway should be fitted with wheels or rollers to ensure free movement when resting on a wharf.
5 Safety net
5.1 The owner of a ship must ensure that a safety net:
(a) is of adequate length and width; and
(b) has apertures of its mesh not more than 190 mm, measured between opposite knots when the mesh is hung or cut to make it square mesh; and
(c) is made of framing rope and netting, with at least 400 kgwt and 125 kgwt breaking strain, resistant to actinic degradation.
5.2 The master of a ship must ensure that a safety net:
(a) is secured in position at each corner, and intermediate points if required, by suitably secured lengths of framing rope; and
(b) has the corners of its mesh properly secured to prevent movement.