Newsletter 7th Issue LASER.qxp:Layout 1 - Marlow Navigation

7th Issue
Dec 2010
Safety and Security on Board
Smart Gangways and
Accommodation Ladders
A smart gangway – first impressions
count!
Climb up a ship’s accommodation ladder
or gangway and what impression do you
get Is the gangway smartly painted, clean
and well secured Is there a proper safety
net underneath and are the handrails clean
and grease free Is there an alert and
smartly dressed Marlow crew member
standing at the top of the gangway ready
to welcome you on board and register
your details
The gangway is the first point of contact
the visitor has with the ship and that
person will probably gain his or her first
impressions as they climb the ladder to
the main deck.
Get the first impression right and it can
make all the difference between a
deficiency free Port State Control (PSC)
inspection, a happy Agent or Charterer
or…...a really bad day!
You may think this is not important but
it is! You will be surprised how these
things are noted and recognised by
customers and other people involved in
the business of shipping.
Get it right and the visitor has a safe stay
on board. Get it wrong and accidents
caused by gangways could prove fatal to
ship and shore personnel.
So, what do we need to do to make sure
our gangways and accommodation
ladders are safe, fit for purpose and
properly maintained
Ladder maintenance – the basics
Gangways, ladders and associated
components must be maintained carefully
as part of a Planned Maintenance System
(PMS). Inspection, lubrication and
renewals of parts including the wire and
rigging must be carried out carefully.
Certificates and records for the wire ropes
in use must be readily available on board.
All moving parts such as turntables,
sheaves, tracks, bearings and rollers
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