Stern Boarding Ladders - Attachment

[ashtead]

I cannot understand why safety ladders made by likes of Lazilas cannot be longer? I have one we attach to stern and only time I have tried it out it’s not great. We have a metal boarding ladder which is very secure and has curves on top which drop into deck holes, it then drops down from mid point . The advantage is it’s stowable and not in way if stern mooring unlike the drop down versions in middle of sugar scoop and it does drop down longer. The disadvantage is not to rig it when sailing so if you do have to deploy (with a swimmer holding on to the too short safety ladder ) you are then faced with unpacking a stern locker to retrieve and deploy. I would also put some metal bars in the safety ladder much like a building emergency escape ladder as the webbing steps are a nightmare for a cold casualty even in mild Solent waters in daylight.

 

[PetiteFleur]

My boarding ladder has a clip to hold two adjacent steps together. After my accidental swim whilst getting in my dinghy a couple of years ago, although I had my auto LJ on, which immediately inflated, I had several attempts to get to the clip to lower the ladder. Fortunately it was September and the water was warm. I clambered on board and found a set of old clothes to get ashore - I must have looked a bit strange...
I fitted a small 'U' bolt to the clip with a 6mm rope, led upwards to a guard rail loop on the stanchion with an orange Tee handle on the end about 8" from the water. It's now easy to full on the handle, release the clip and lower the ladder which has sufficient friction in the hinge so it won't crash down on my head. The cord has a ball stop so once the clip is released it is still useful to help pull yourself aboard. Not used in anger since - I'm much more careful when getting in to the dinghy

 

[Refueler]

You'd be surprised at the hold the double side velcro has because you will be putting force on it longitudinally - not at 90 .. so the whole length of joined velcro is taking the force.

I hang very expensive heavy large models in my van while travelling to flight sites ... if its was not capable of carrying weight - I wouldn't trust it.

But I agree - it would not be obvious to a person not from that boat how to unfasten. But the loop and pin ... I think that's quite obvious. And dare I say it .. seaman like ?

 

[Refueler]

I cannot understand why safety ladders made by likes of Lazilas cannot be longer? I have one we attach to stern and only time I have tried it out it’s not great. We have a metal boarding ladder which is very secure and has curves on top which drop into deck holes, it then drops down from mid point . The advantage is it’s stowable and not in way if stern mooring unlike the drop down versions in middle of sugar scoop and it does drop down longer. The disadvantage is not to rig it when sailing so if you do have to deploy (with a swimmer holding on to the too short safety ladder ) you are then faced with unpacking a stern locker to retrieve and deploy. I would also put some metal bars in the safety ladder much like a building emergency escape ladder as the webbing steps are a nightmare for a cold casualty even in mild Solent waters in daylight.

My Lazilas is a metal tube + plastic 5 steps affair with curved hand rails at top. These slot into keyhole mounts and the ladder has standoffs about 2 steps down to keep it off the hull.
It works - but still a couple more rungs would be nice.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

You'd be surprised at the hold the double side velcro has because you will be putting force on it longitudinally - not at 90 .. so the whole length of joined velcro is taking the force.

I hang very expensive heavy large models in my van while travelling to flight sites ... if its was not capable of carrying weight - I wouldn't trust it.

But I agree - it would not be obvious to a person not from that boat how to unfasten. But the loop and pin ... I think that's quite obvious. And dare I say it .. seaman like ?

No - I wasn't deputing how strong it can be! Quite the reverse - if I'm down in the water and can only grab it at best a foot above its pivot then I don't think I'll have the strength to get it undone? (I'm assuming that the velcro is up top?

 

[Refueler]

No - I wasn't deputing how strong it can be! Quite the reverse - if I'm down in the water and can only grab it at best a foot above its pivot then I don't think I'll have the strength to get it undone? (I'm assuming that the velcro is up top?

Yes I can see that .... it will work - but getting it off ... could be the main problem.

 

[peter gibbs]

I want to ask forumites their views on how they make their boarding ladders secure when not in use.

I'm thinking specifically about the drop-down type that sit in a sugar scoop and are use as boarding ladders from the sugar scoop step and also as recovery ladders when deployed.
My ladders, when stored, lay against the stern and when crew are climbing aboard from the dinghy tend to grab the ladders as a hand hold. I usually have the ladders tied in place to stop them falling down.

My conundrum is when there is an emergency occasion when the ladders have to be deployed - possibly by someone not familiar - does anyone have any better way of securing the ladders?

Regards

Ink

I have a lanyard made up simply by myself with a quick release fixing on one end making into an eye at the other end of the rope - it's a quick release arrangement with a line and toggle at the end that can be reached from the water. One tug on the release line and the ladder descends - very important for emergencies of course.

PWG

 

[penfold]

................a slight fred drift.
The drop down section of the ladders are woefully short to help folks get out of the water in an emergency.
Recently a gentleman, not in the first flush of lithe youth and not me, took an unexpected dip while attempting to clamber into a kayak for the very first time.
He was wearing a bouyancy aid.
It took him many attempts to get his feet up high enough to get on to the lowest step of my swim platform ladder, before with great difficulty he managed to clamber out.
This was on warm summer day in a non tidal location in perfect conditions and a decent water temperature.

Last winter a lady took tumble into cold tidal water in the middle of the night on our moorings. It proved impossible for her companion to pull her out and only by shouting for help was assistance summoned from nearbye boats. His boarding ladder proved less than useless.
The three people present were still unable to get her out of the water and it was only with the arrival of the fire brigade that the lady was retrieved from the water via a pontoon ladder.

Justification if it were needed that MOB practice is;
1. something everyone should spend time on
2. isn't something everyone spends time on

Something I'm as guilty as any of neglecting.

 

[Refueler]

Took two hefty guys to lift me out the water in Bembridge Hbr.....

My Wife took a plunge of those unstable finger pontoons one time berthing ... she had to stay in water till I had boat made fast so not to hit her ... of course I got a lot of abuse from her about caring about boat before her !!
Took two of us to lift her onto the pontoon and she is only about 60kg.

 

[wombat88]

I have been pondering diving ladders, some of which are telescopic but have yet to see one in the flesh. Have seen some long ones advertised

 

[penfold]

Most marinas now have rescue ladders, not sure if it's a legal requirement but it ought to be; if I'm in a marina I try and make a mental note of where safety equipment is in case of an emergency.

Took two hefty guys to lift me out the water in Bembridge Hbr.....

My Wife took a plunge of those unstable finger pontoons one time berthing ... she had to stay in water till I had boat made fast so not to hit her ... of course I got a lot of abuse from her about caring about boat before her !!
Took two of us to lift her onto the pontoon and she is only about 60kg.

 

[Refueler]

Most marinas now have rescue ladders, not sure if it's a legal requirement but it ought to be; if I'm in a marina I try and make a mental note of where safety equipment is in case of an emergency.

Until it happens to you - it really is a shocker ...

We all think its easy or able to get back out ... believe me - having been in the water - its a different matter altogether.

Yesterday evening - pal and his daughter were with me giving my boat a good motor run on the river - basically blow the crap out of engine after winter.

Nearing my private channel - she said she wanted to jump in the river .. swim and then climb back on board. This was a suprise - if she had said before we left pontoon - I could have brought my 5 rung ladder ...
Anyway on transom of SA - are two bronze sprung loaded steps that snap down. Idea is that you put foot on rudder - then up and next foot on step ........... yeh well guy who fitted them never actually tested it !!
She was an agile strong lass ... - I showed her the steps because SHE would have to click them down ... can't do it from deck.

You can just see them under the S of Ventspils .... useless items - but look good.

She swam round ... then Pal and I lifted her till she could put foot on step ... even she - it was surprise to my Pal the effort to lift her up and how high before she could 'use' the step.