Section 7 Arrangements for interfacing with waterborne craft

7.1.1 This section details the requirements for onboard arrangements for the interfacing of the parent vessel with waterborne craft alongside, including from astern.

7.2.1 A minimum of two embarkation stations are to be provided to enable personnel to embark and disembark safely from either side of the parent vessel. These may be separate or combined with those positions used when alongside in port and need not be coincident with the boat stations.

7.2.2 Embarkation stations shall be positioned such that, as far as possible, they are along the parallel mid-body of the parent vessel and clear of any steeply overhanging portions of the hull, overboard discharges, fendering or protrusions.

7.2.3 Safe, convenient and unobstructed passage to and from the parent vessel’s deck is to be provided at the ship’s side and fitted with handholds to allow ready access. Where a ship’s side door is used this shall not open outwards.

7.2.4 When used for a pilot or other civilian personnel, embarkation stations are to comply with the requirements of the IMO SOLAS Convention, as amended, Chapter V, Regulation 23 ‘Pilot Transfer Arrangements’.

7.2.5 Suitable clear area shall be provided at the embarkation position for all personnel involved in supporting the embarkation operation and a clear route from the embarkation point to a suitable muster or dispersal point for all personnel embarking or disembarking.

7.2.6 During embarkation or disembarkation, the embarkation station, ship’s side, embarkation equipment, and the area of water alongside shall be adequately illuminated by appropriate lighting. Where dark adaptation lighting is required this shall be suitable for night vision equipment.

7.2.7 Each embarkation station is to be provided with the necessary communication equipment to enable speedy and efficient communication with the waterborne craft alongside, the deck crew and the conning positions, to enable embarkation or disembarkation operations in all defined operational conditions and stages.

7.2.8 Each embarkation station is to be provided with an appropriate means of transferring between the ship’s side and the sea surface. For transfers of limited numbers of people this is to be a rope ladder complying with an appropriate standard, e.g. ISO 799 Ships and marine technology – Pilot ladders or IMO International Life-saving Appliance Code, Section 6.1.6 Embarkation Ladders. For transfers of large numbers of people this is to be a scrambling net or similar also complying with an appropriate standard.

7.2.9 Each embarkation means used shall be not less than 1,5 m in height and capable of reaching the sea surface in a single length for all conditions of loading and trim and with an adverse list of 15⁰. They shall be capable of lying flat against the hull and secured to the parent vessel at appropriate points using equipment and fittings at least as strong as the nominated design load.

7.2.10 Where the distance from sea surface to the point of access to the parent vessel exceeds 9 m, an accommodation ladder is to be used in combination with the pilot ladder. Where this is done, the accommodation ladder shall be sited leading aft and means of securing it to the ship’s side at the lower platform provided. The pilot ladder and side ropes are to be secured to the ship’s side 1,5 m above the bottom platform or, when led through a hatch in the bottom platform, at the height of the rails.

7.2.11 Accommodation ladders forming a means of embarkation or disembarkation at sea are to be in accordance with Vol 1, Pt 3, Ch 4, 9.8 Means of embarkation and disembarkation and MSC.1/Circular.1331 – Guidelines for Construction, Installation, Maintenance and Inspection/Survey of Means of Embarkation and Disembarkation – (11 June 2009).

7.2.12 All embarkation equipment shall be clearly identified with tags or other permanent marking so as to enable identification of each item for the purposes of survey, inspection and record keeping. A record shall be kept on the ship as to the date each identified item is placed into service and any repairs effected. It is recommended that a spare is provided onboard for all ladders or nets.

7.2.13 All embarkation equipment shall be kept clean, properly maintained and stowed and shall be regularly inspected to ensure that they are safe to use. They shall be used solely for the embarkation and disembarkation of personnel.

7.2.15 Where the alongside waterborne craft is intended to be secured to the parent vessel, suitable fittings shall be provided in the ship’s side or at the deck edge to allow for the connection. These are to be in accordance with Vol 1, Pt 3, Ch 5, 6.6 Bollards, fairleads and bull rings and Vol 1, Pt 3, Ch 5, 6.6 Bollards, fairleads and bull rings.