Pilot ladders

(1) All vessels shall carry a pilot ladder. The ladder shall be efficient for the purpose of enabling pilots to embark and disembark safely, shall be kept clean and in good order and may be used by officials and other persons while a ship is arriving at or leaving a port (2) Whenever the distance from sea level to the point of access to the vessel is more than 9 m., access from the pilot ladder to the vessel shall be by means of an accommodation ladder or other equally safe and convenient means. Merchant Ships (Registration) 39 (3) Steps of pilot ladders shall be not less than 48 cm long, 11.4 cm wide and 2.5 cm in depth. Steps shall be joined in a manner which will provide a ladder of adequate strength whose treads are maintained in horizontal position and not less than 30.5 cm or more than 38 cm apart. 82.1997. (4) The side ropes of the ladder shall consist of two uncovered manila ropes not less than 60 mm in circumference. Each rope shall be continuous with no joints below the top step. Two manropes and a safety line shall be kept at hand ready for use if required. (5) Handholds shall be provided to assist pilots to pass safely and conveniently from the head of the ladder into the vessel or on to the vessel’s deck. (6) Where necessary, spreaders shall be provided at intervals which will prevent the ladder from twisting. (7) Adequate lighting shall be provided at night for both the pilot ladder overside and the vessel boarding position. (8) A vessel with rubbing bands or whose construction makes it impossible to comply fully with the provision that the ladder should be secured at a place where each step will rest firmly against the vessel’s side shall comply with this provision as closely as possible.