Accommodation-ladder operation and maintenance
What is being checked
The inspector is checking whether planning, equipment condition, competent supervision and real-time monitoring provide safe accommodation-ladder deployment and use under the vessel's actual freeboard, weather, movement and terminal conditions.
Ready onboard
0/6 completePractice questions
Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.
1Who authorises and supervises accommodation-ladder deployment and use?
Identify the responsible officer and the competent operator or attendant, including who monitors changing conditions.
2What are the stop criteria?
Use defined limits for design angles, lower platform, winch, falls, wires, rollers, safety net, handrails, lighting, shore landing and vessel movement, equipment defect, lost communication and unsafe movement.
3Show the pre-use inspection.
Physically verify ladder structure, winch, brake, wire, sheaves, platform, stanchions, net and lifebuoy and reconcile the check with annual thorough examination, five-year load test, wire records and pre-use checklist.
4How will a person be recovered after a fall or equipment failure?
Explain the immediate alarm, fall protection or flotation, retrieval method, medical response and alternative access.
5What changed since the last use?
Check rigging, certification, repairs, berth geometry, weather and vessel condition rather than copying the previous assessment.
Where an observation may arise
The assessment did not address design angles, lower platform, winch, falls, wires, rollers, safety net, handrails, lighting, shore landing and vessel movement.
Inspection identified corrosion, damaged wire, failed brake, excessive angle, unsupported platform or incomplete safety net.
The arrangement lacked a responsible officer, competent attendant or continuous monitoring.
Operation continued beyond a weather, movement, angle, freeboard or maker limit.
No effective recovery method was immediately available.
Physical condition or configuration did not agree with annual thorough examination, five-year load test, wire records and pre-use checklist.
Master's practical note
Assess the arrangement as a moving system, not a static appliance. Vessel movement, changing tide and the interface with shore usually determine whether a compliant arrangement remains safe.
Equipment boundary and references
Equipment boundary: Follow SOLAS, flag, port, terminal and maker requirements. Stop the operation if a safe arrangement cannot be maintained, even if commercial delay results.
References
- OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 5.10.2
- SOLAS Chapter II-1 regulation 3-9
- IMO MSC.1/Circ.1331
Last reviewed: 2026-09-13
