Guide to

Safe Boarding of Vessels

Check your condition

Not afraid of heights

Good sense of balance, not

prone to motion sickness

Physically and medically fit

Not taking any

prescription medicine

Do you have the right

personal protective equipment?
Safety helmet
with chin strap

Life jacket /Flotation vest

with light

Gloves with good grip

Tight-fitting footwear
(e.g., shoes or boots with
non-slip soles and low
heels)

How to pack your belongings

and equipment?

Keep your hands free.

All loose items (e.g., keys, mobile phones)
must be packed in appropriate luggage.

How to pack your belongings

and equipment?

DO NOT carry luggage or heavy

backpacks during boarding.

How to pack your belongings

and equipment?

Luggage will be hoisted

onto the vessel.

Preparing to board

Wear a life jacket.

Hold the handrails and stay alert.
Approach ladder from outboard side of launch.
Board only when directed by launch master.

Boarding via gangway

Ensure gangway is level with the launch.

Board only when directed by launch master.
Board using both hands on the rails.
Only 4 persons can board each time.

Boarding via rope ladder

Maintain three point of contact when climbing a

ladder (two hands and one foot or one hand and two feet).
Ensure ladder is properly secured.
DO NOT board if ladder appears damaged.
Climb ladder one person at a time.
Keep body close to ladder and stay alert.

REMEMBER!
Safety always comes first

DO NOT board if you are feeling unwell.

If life jacket is not provided, ask for one
from the ship/launch crew.
DO NOT board if conditions are
unfavourable for boarding.
Stay alert and follow all instructions.

Published in February 2010 by the

Workplace Safety and Health Council
in collaboration with the Ministry of
Manpower.
All rights reserved. This publication may not
be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means in whole or in part, without prior
written permission. The information provided
in this publication is accurate as at time of
printing. Please note that all information in this
publication are meant for learning purposes
only. The learning points and information
are not exhaustive and should not be taken
to encapsulate all the responsibilities and
obligations of the user of this publication under
the law. The publishers of this publication do not
accept any liability or responsibility to any party
for losses or damage arising from following this
publication