Hazard hunt: Pilot ladders and gangways

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 13 February 2019
  • Generated on 3 September 2025
  • IMCA SF 02/19
  • 1 minute read

A Member has taken a focus on pilot ladders and gangways, following an incident where a gangway collapsed, causing the death of the pilot.  

What happened?

The incident occurred when a gangway wire parted, causing the gangway to pivot at the top platform hinge and fall into the sea.

knots in the wooden step

knots in the wooden step

missing chock and steps unsafe for boarding

missing chock and steps unsafe for boarding

parted side ropes

parted side ropes

broken step on a pilot ladder

broken step on a pilot ladder

gangway damaged after wire parted

gangway damaged after wire parted

break following ineffective maintenance of gangway wire

break following ineffective maintenance of gangway wire

wrong operation of gangway

wrong operation of gangway

What lessons were learned?

Our Member noted that:

  • Accommodation ladders and gangways, and associated fittings, should be properly maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals.

  • When accommodation ladders and gangways are rigged, checks should be made for signs of distortion, cracks, or corrosion.

  • Care should be taken to ensure all moving parts are moving freely and are lubricated as necessary.

  • Checks should be made of any lifting equipment or wires.

  • Examine the underside of accommodation ladders and gangways at regular intervals.

  • Rigging and derigging of accommodation ladders and gangways should be conducted under appropriate supervision.

Latest Safety Flashes:

UK HSE: Motion Compensated Gangways Auto-Retraction

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published Safety Notice ED03-2025

Read more
Brazil: diver permanently disabled after decompression illness

Conviction of diving company upheld as work accident suffered by a diver who lost strength in his upper limbs and the ability to move, requiring permanent use of a wheelchair.

Read more
Diver reports unwell post-dive: non-decompression illness

A diver experienced a dizzy spell about one hour after completing a diving operation

Read more
Shore-side crane boom collides with vessel mast

During shipyard lifting operations, the boom of a dock crane made contact with the vessel mast.

Read more
Injury sustained while operating steel lifting magnet

While preparing to transfer steel plates using a steel lifting magnet, a crew person was injured.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.