Safe access alongside
What is being checked
The inspector is checking whether planning, equipment condition, competent supervision and real-time monitoring provide safe routine access between vessel and terminal 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 routine access between vessel and terminal?
Identify the responsible officer and the competent operator or attendant, including who monitors changing conditions.
2What are the stop criteria?
Use defined limits for gangway or ladder suitability, shore interface, tide and freeboard range, safety net, lighting, lifebuoy, watchkeeping, security and emergency egress, equipment defect, lost communication and unsafe movement.
3Show the pre-use inspection.
Physically verify primary access appliance, handrails, net, lighting, lifebuoy, notices, communications and alternative means and reconcile the check with access log, watch rounds, terminal agreement and equipment inspection.
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 gangway or ladder suitability, shore interface, tide and freeboard range, safety net, lighting, lifebuoy, watchkeeping, security and emergency egress.
Inspection identified unsafe angle, gap, movement, poor landing, missing net, obstruction, inadequate lighting or unattended access.
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 access log, watch rounds, terminal agreement and equipment inspection.
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 5.10.3
- SOLAS Chapter II-1 regulation 3-9
- ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006
Last reviewed: 2026-09-13