Gangways: What to expect

A gangway on a ship is a movable platform or bridge designed to provide safe access between the vessel and the shore, dock, or another vessel. It is primarily used for boarding and disembarking and is fitted with handrails and safety features to protect personnel during transit.

Gangways are essential for the safe movement of crew members, passengers, visitors, pilots, and supplies. Many gangways are adjustable, allowing them to accommodate changing tides, vessel movement, and variations in the ship’s freeboard height.

In this section, we will explore the different types of gangways, the kinds commonly used on specific ship types, and important gangway safety practices.

On a container ship, the accommodation gangway (or accommodation ladder) is typically located on the upper deck, immediately adjacent to or slightly aft of the ship’s superstructure.

When deployed, the gangway points toward the stern (aft) of the vessel.

Key Details

• Location:
  The accommodation ladder is permanently mounted on both the port and starboard sides of the main deck. When not in use, it is normally stored flush against the ship’s hull.

• Direction:
  Under international SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations, accommodation ladders must lead aft. This arrangement helps prevent a pilot boat or tender from being forced underneath the ladder by the ship’s forward motion while alongside.

• Setup Variations:
  The ladder may:

  • be lowered directly onto the dock,

  • be suspended slightly above the dock with a short “brow” gangway connecting it to the pier, or

  • be used together with a vertical pilot ladder when the vessel’s freeboard is exceptionally high.