Gangway And Accommodation Ladders

Gangway And Accommodation Ladders
These are still the two most often interchanged ship terms used on vessels. Although, their purpose is the same. i.e. to serve as a link/bridge between the ship and the shore, their rigging and usage are different.
Gangways are rigged at right angles to the fore and aft line of the ship. Gangways should not be used at an angle of inclination greater than 30 degrees to the horizontal. Gangways are mandatory for ships over 30 meters in length. Gangways must only be rigged on railings that are reinforced for this purpose.
Accommodation Ladders are rigged in the fore and aft direction of the ship and face astern. The maximum angle of inclination from the horizontal shall not exceed 55 degrees. Accommodation ladders are generally fixed on the vessel and are swung out using dedicated winches and motors. These are mandatory for vessels over 120 meters in length.