Practical Guide to Accommodation Ladder (Part 2)

III. Operating Procedures and Precautions

(1)Pre-operation Inspection

A comprehensive and detailed inspection must be conducted before operating the gangway.

Inspecting the various components of the equipment is crucial. Check the ladder body for any deformation or cracks, ensure treads are not loose or worn, and verify that handrails are secure, as these components directly affect the safety of personnel using the gangway.

The inspection of the lifting, slewing, and securing devices cannot be overlooked. It is necessary to verify one by one whether the wire ropes have broken strands or wear, if the pulleys rotate flexibly, and whether the connectors are loose.

The inspection of safety devices is of utmost importance. The braking system must be ensured to be sensitive and reliable; the gangway must stop promptly after the "Lower" button is released to prevent uncontrolled sliding caused by brake failure. The limit devices must be accurate to prevent the gangway from being raised, lowered, or slewed beyond its limits, which could trigger safety accidents.

At the same time, the surrounding environment must also be inspected to see if there are any obstacles blocking the deployment/retraction of the gangway or the passage of personnel. If there are obstacles, they must be cleared promptly to create a safe space for gangway operations. For example, when berthing at a port, pay attention to whether other ships are moored too closely or if there is large cargo stacked nearby.

(2) Deployment and Retrieval Procedures

The procedures for deploying and retrieving the gangway must be strictly followed to ensure safety.

First is the preparation. Disengage the gangway's safety hook. This is the very first step; forcibly operating the gangway without disengaging the safety hook can lead to equipment damage or even cause safety accidents. Connect the operating power supply, ensuring the power is stable and the voltage meets the equipment requirements.

During the operation, a designated person should be responsible for operating the control buttons, while other personnel cooperate closely to observe the condition of various parts of the gangway, promptly identifying and reporting any issues.

When lowering the gangway, operate slowly. Stop the gangway about 2 meters below the horizontal boom. At this point, raise the handrails, insert the turntable handrails, thread the handrail ropes, and secure them after leaving an appropriate length. Next, adjust the small platform at the end of the gangway to a suitable position, keeping it as level as possible to ensure a steadier walk for personnel.

Then, lower the gangway to the appropriate height, taking care to prevent it from scraping against the wharf to avoid damage to both the gangway and the wharf. Secure the safety net near the bottom of the small platform to provide additional protection for personnel. If using a ship-shore accommodation ladder (short ladder), materials such as sandbags should be placed under the short ladder at the connection point to increase stability. When retrieving the gangway, operate slowly as well, observing the movement of each component to ensure the gangway is retracted smoothly.

(III) Response to Special Circumstances

Extra caution is required when operating the gangway under special conditions such as tides, wind and waves, or vessel movement.

Due to the rise and fall of the tide, the ship's height will change, and the height of the gangway needs to be adjusted accordingly. When the tide rises, the gangway height should be appropriately lowered; when the tide recedes, the gangway should be raised to prevent it from hanging in the air or colliding with the wharf.

In rough seas with strong winds and waves, the vessel will experience rolling and pitching. Extreme caution must be exercised when operating the gangway during this time. Operators must wear safety belts and life jackets, and use check ropes (storm lashing) to stabilize the gangway, preventing it from losing balance due to the vessel's motion. At the same time, closely monitor changes in wind and wave conditions. If the weather becomes too severe, the use of the gangway should be suspended to ensure personnel safety.

When the vessel is moving, such as during berthing, unberthing, or shifting, the status of the gangway must also be monitored. Before the vessel moves, if the gangway is connected to the wharf, it should be hoisted up and the accommodation ladder retracted, or a designated person should be assigned to guard the gangway entrance to prohibit personnel from boarding or disembarking. Once the vessel has moved into position and stabilized, the gangway can be readjusted and redeployed.

IV.Maintenance and Upkeep Essentials

(1) Daily Maintenance Tasks

Daily maintenance is the fundamental work to ensure the gangway remains in good condition and requires the crew to carry it out diligently every day.

Each day, crew members must clean the gangway by wiping the treads, handrails, platforms, and other areas with a clean cloth to remove dust, oil stains, and debris, keeping the surfaces tidy. This not only improves the appearance of the gangway but also reduces corrosion caused by dirt. At the same time, inspect the connection points to see if bolts and nuts are loose, or if there are any cracks in the welds. If looseness is found, it must be tightened promptly; if there are cracks, they need to be repaired as soon as possible to prevent connection failure leading to safety accidents.

Lubricating moving parts such as pulleys and rotating shafts is also crucial. Lubrication should be performed at least once a week using appropriate lubricating oil or grease, applied evenly to the component surfaces to ensure flexible rotation and reduce wear. For example, applying a few drops of lubricating oil to the axle of a pulley allows it to run more smoothly and extends its service life.

(2)Periodic Maintenance Items

Periodic maintenance involves more in-depth upkeep of the gangway, allowing for the timely detection and resolution of potential issues.

Monthly, mechanical components must be inspected. Check the wear condition of the gears; if the wear is severe, they must be replaced promptly. Also, check the tension of the chains and adjust them if they are too loose or too tight. At the same time, inspect the operation of the electric motor—listen for any abnormal noises and check for signs of overheating. If any abnormalities are detected, repairs must be carried out immediately.

Quarterly, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the electrical system. Check if the wires are aging or damaged, if the connections are loose, and if the insulation performance is sound. Use professional electrical testing equipment, such as an insulation resistance tester, to measure the insulation resistance of the wires and ensure they meet safety standards.

Annually, conduct flaw detection tests on the structural components of the gangway. Use ultrasonic flaw detectors or magnetic particle flaw detectors to check for internal cracks, ensuring structural safety. In addition, the gangway should undergo overall debugging and calibration to ensure that all its performance indicators meet the required standards.

(3)Common Faults and Troubleshooting

During the use of the gangway, various faults may occur.

For instance, wire rope fracture is a relatively common issue, usually caused by long-term use, wear and tear, corrosion, or overloading. When a broken wire is detected, the gangway must be taken out of service immediately, and the wire rope should be replaced promptly. When replacing it, ensure the wire rope meets the required specifications and is installed using the correct method.

Gear wear should also not be overlooked. Long-term operation and stress can cause the gears to wear down, affecting transmission efficiency. When the gear wear is minor, it can sometimes be flipped 180° and reinstalled to continue its use; however, if the wear is severe, the gear must be replaced with a new one.

Electrical faults also occur from time to time. For example, power supply issues may prevent the gangway from starting or retracting normally. In this case, check the power switch and jumper connections, and inspect the power lines for damage or wear. If any issues are found, repair or replace them promptly. If there is a problem with the electric motor, causing the gangway to fail to lift/lower or the speed to slow down, check if the motor is damaged. If it is faulty, the motor needs to be replaced.

V. Safety Management and Supervision

(1) Formulation of Safety Management System

Establishing a comprehensive safety management system is a crucial foundation for ensuring the safe operation of the vessel. Within this system, clearly defining the division of responsibilities is key. The Chief Officer usually serves as the person in charge of operations, bearing the heavy responsibility of overall management and supervision of the gangway's operation and maintenance. The Boatswain (Bosun) and sailors are the specific operators, who must strictly follow the regulations when performing operations such as deploying and retrieving the gangway.

At the same time, detailed operating procedures must be formulated, making clear regulations for every step of the gangway operation. For instance, before operation, a comprehensive inspection of the equipment must be conducted, and work can only proceed after confirming the equipment is intact and free of obstacles. During the operation, there must be a designated person in command, and the operators must cooperate tacitly, with strict prohibition of any violations. The system should also clarify the requirements for daily maintenance and periodic upkeep. Daily maintenance includes daily cleaning, checking connection points, and lubricating moving parts, while periodic upkeep covers monthly inspections of mechanical components, quarterly inspections of the electrical system, and annual flaw detection testing of structural components. In addition, emergency response procedures for sudden situations should be detailed in the system so that crew members can take rapid and effective measures to ensure personnel safety in case of emergencies.

(2)Personnel Training and Qualifications

Providing professional training to operators is crucial for ensuring the safe operation of the gangway. The training content should cover the structure, principles, operating methods, safety precautions, and maintenance knowledge of the gangway. Through theoretical explanations and practical drills, operators should gain a deep understanding of the gangway's working mechanism and become proficient in operating skills. In the theoretical part, detailed knowledge such as the types, construction, key points of installation and arrangement, and operating standards of the gangway should be introduced. In the practical drills, operators should perform gangway deployment and retrieval in a simulated environment, personally experiencing the precautions during the process and improving their ability to handle emergencies. At the same time, regular refresher training should be conducted for operators to update their knowledge and improve their skills, ensuring they always maintain a high level of operational proficiency and safety awareness.

(3)Supervision and Inspection Mechanism

Regular supervision and inspection of the use and maintenance of the gangway are important means to promptly detect and correct issues. As the person in charge of maintenance, the Chief Officer should regularly organize inspections of the gangway. The inspection content includes the integrity and safety of the equipment, as well as the standardization of operations. Check whether the gangway body has any deformation or cracks, if the treads are loose, if the handrails are secure, if the lifting, slewing, and securing devices are operating normally, and if the safety devices are sensitive and reliable. At the same time, it is necessary to check whether the operators are following the operating specifications and if there are any violations. For any issues found during the inspection, they must be recorded promptly, and a rectification notice should be issued, clearly stating the rectification requirements and deadlines. The relevant responsible persons should carry out the rectification in a timely manner as required. After the rectification is completed, a re-inspection must be conducted to ensure the problem is thoroughly resolved. In addition, a supervision and reporting mechanism can be established to encourage crew members to report any issues found, creating a safety management atmosphere with full participation.

The safe use and maintenance of the gangway is the responsibility and mission of every crew member. From the meticulous preparation during installation and arrangement, to the standardized rigor during operation, and down to the attention to detail during maintenance, every step concerns the safety of our own lives and the lives of others, as well as the smooth progress of the vessel's operations.