The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued revised guidelines covering the design, construction, installation, maintenance, and inspection of means of embarkation and disembarkation such as accommodation ladders, gangways, and associated equipment.
These updated standards aim to ensure consistency with the latest international norms, provide clearer safety definitions, and enhance protection for crew and others involved in boarding or leaving a vessel.
Applicability of ISO standards
The applicable ISO standard version for each type of means of (dis)embarkation is dependent on the date of equipment installation and the ship’s construction date.
The applicability of these standards is summarised in the table below:
| Installation Date | Ship Construction Date | Recommended International Standard* | Equipment |
| Before 1 July 2026 | On or after 1 January 2010 | ISO 5488: 1979 ISO 7061: 1993 ISO 7364: 1983 |
Accommodation ladders Aluminium shore gangways Accommodation ladder winches |
| On or after 1 July 2026 | On or after 1 January 2010 | ISO 5488: 2015 ISO 7061: 2015 or 2024 ISO 7364: 2016 |
Accommodation ladders Aluminium shore gangways Accommodation ladder winches |
| On or after 1 July 2026 | Before 1 January 2010 | † ISO 5488: 1979 or 2015 † ISO 7061: 1993, 2015 or 2024 † ISO 7364: 1983 or 2016 |
Accommodation ladders Aluminium shore gangways Accommodation ladder winches |
New definitions
“Installed on or after 1 July 2026” means the date of: ship building contract or, in the absence of contract, the keel laying, or contractual date of equipment delivery or, in its absence, the actual delivery date of the equipment to the ship.
“Safety Net” is a net which is rigged between the ship’s side and the means of (dis)embarkation to prevent a person from falling into the water or onto the quayside from a means of (dis)embarkation.
Mandatory safety practices
It has become mandatory for the crew to wear life jackets and safety harnesses while rigging the accommodation ladder, gangway and the safety net.
The revised guidelines have also introduced the possibility to use “side nets” on ladders as alternatives to a “safety net”. A safety net is not required if the hazard of falling through the sides of the means of embarkation and disembarkation is adequately mitigated by a top railing of rigid construction that is at least 1m high and a “side net” is rigged between this railing and the base of the accommodation ladder, including its upper and lower platforms.
The safety net and/or side nets must be regularly checked and maintained and, if deemed necessary, be replaced. They should be properly stored in ventilated places, avoiding sunlight and chemical contamination.
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Source: Lloyd’s Register
