The pilot ladder should be rigged 2 meters (6.5 feet) or 1 meter (3.2 feet) above the waterline, depending on which boat will be utilized. If the vessels freeboard is more than 7 meters (23 feet), a combination ladder is required.

 

When boarding, the pilot ladder shall be located at amidships. NO man ropes and NO boat ropes shall be utilized.

 

When an accommodation gangway will be used in conjunction with the pilot ladder, each will be secured to one another and the pilot ladder will be secured to the side of the vessel when possible.

Ladder requirements
Text Box: “The prudent mariner shall not rely on any single source of information” The content of this website is for informational purposes only. Copyright Matagorda Bay Pilots The information within are in effect for the safety of the vessels visiting the Port or Port Lavaca / Point Comfort, the safety of the dock facilities and the safety of the very delicate environment of Matagorda and Lavaca Bays.