1102-13 - Gangway Handling (public).docx

Page 6 of 6 Procedure 1102-13

-- Uncontrolled when Downloaded or Printed --

/s/ CAPT Jeffrey D. Shoup, NOAA

Section 7

Responsible Position

CAPT Jeffrey D. Shoup, NOAA Director, Marine Operations Deputy Director, Marine Operations

Gangway Handling

1. Purpose

1.1 To provide minimum requirements for construction, installation, maintenance, and inspection of a ship’s gangway.

1.2 This version includes a substantial rewrite including addition for procurement standards, routine inspections, acceptance, and load tests.

2. Scope

2.1 This procedure applies to all National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ships. Gangways not normally in service (i.e. spare, or temporary) must comply with this procedure, prior to use.

3. Responsible Positions

3.1 The following positions or groups have action item responsibilities within this procedure:

· Ship Commanding Officer

· Chief Boatswain

· Chief, Marine Operations Engineering

· Port Engineer

4. Responsibilities and Procedures

4.1 The Commanding Officer (CO) ensures gangway handling operations, inspections, and tests are conducted per this procedure.

(A) Verify each new gangway received is permanently marked with a rating plate.

(B) Verify each existing gangway (to include spares not onboard) are permanently marked with a rating plate. Existing gangways in use/service that do not have a rating plate affixed, notify the Port Engineer for assistance.

(C) Ensure the safe handling, rigging, maintenance, and inspection of the gangway, both in port and at sea.

(D) Identify critical areas applicable to each gangway (i.e., hinge plate, wheels, etc.) which may require additional measures, tools, or personnel to facilitate maintenance or inspection.

(E) Provide guidance to monitor the gangway position from tidal and draft changes to ensure crew and visitors board and disembark in a safe manner.

4.2 The Port Engineer will ensure:

(A) Aluminum gangways purchased after the effective date of this procedure meet the International Standard ISO 7061; 2015(E): Ships and marine technology — Aluminum shore gangways for seagoing vessels.

(B) Existing gangways missing a rating plate, or Load Test Certificate are brought into compliance:

(1) Ensure a design load and safety load is identified.

(2) Conduct a load test, as required in section(s) below.

(3) Fabricate and install a new rating plate.

(a) When manufacturer data is available; renew rating plate with all data as original.

(b) When no manufacture data is available/known; new rating plate to included only the safe load and test date(s).

4.3 The Chief Boatswain (CB) and deck department are responsible for the installation, maintenance, inspections, and examination of each gangway.

4.4 General requirements

(A) Gangways are used for boarding and leaving the ship when alongside a ship, pier, dock, or wharf.

(B) Gangways must be located to accommodate crew escape in the event of an emergency and should be strong enough to support several crew members across its length when supported at each end in a horizontal position. The best construction material for the gangway is aluminum.

(C) A gangway of not less than 20 inches (.51 m) in width, of adequate strength, maintained in safe repair and safely secured must be used.

(D) Gangways should have raised treads, non-skid or non-slip steps, and toe guards. Handrails must be 33 inches high with midrails and be on both sides of the gangway. The stanchions for the handrails are generally constructed of aluminum, which must be bolted in place or toggle-pinned in a socket. Handrails may be wood, pipe, chain, wire, or rope. If line is used for handrails, it must be kept taut at all times and be of adequate size for gripping and supporting the weight of any crewmember.

(E) Verify that the shore-side end has an attached roller toe-guard in place and has wheels or rollers in operable condition to compensate for the tide or surge without damaging the end of the gangway. Use plywood or other smooth surface if the dock or pier has an uneven surface.

(F) Provide adequate lighting for the gangway and surrounding area at night.

(G) Ensure a lifering equipped with a self-igniting light and a buoyant lifeline is available for immediate use in the vicinity of the gangway.

(H) Post ship’s Fire Plan at pier side of gangway, including most recent HAZMAT inventory per Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) Procedure 0701-04 - Hazard Communication.

(I) Verify there are no obstructions, trash, oil, or tripping hazards on the gangway.

(J) Restrict gangway use to “emergency only” if extreme winds/heavy weather conditions are forecasted.

(K) A safety net is required, as described below.

(L) Avoid overloading the gangway.

4.5 Gangway Rigging and Installation

(C) Gangways should not be used at an angle of inclination greater than 30° from the horizontal, unless designed, constructed, and marked as such.

(D) The gangway must be rigged in such a way that a safety net would catch someone from falling from the gangway. A net should be rigged using the following guidance:

(1) When the gangway is rigged to the ship, a net or suitable protection shall be provided to prevent employees from receiving serious injury from falls to a lower level.

(2) The safety net, supports, and lines should be constructed and rigged to support the weight of any crewmember falling from the gangway.

(E) Stow the gangway in an area where it will least likely be damaged and will be relatively secure from the elements. Saltwater will cause corrosion of dissimilar metals in the gangway and the sun will damage the synthetic line (if used) handrails.

4.6 Gangway Maintenance and Inspection

(A) The ship’s CB and deck department are responsible to carry out the installation, maintenance, inspections, and examination of each gangway as outlined below, per SOLAS II-1/3-9 and MSC.1/Circ. 1331 – Guidelines for Construction, Installation, Maintenance and Inspection/Survey of Means of Embarkation and Disembarkation.

(1) Before rigging and after stowing the gangway, complete a visual check for fatigue, corrosion, cracked welds, and loose bolts. Check the tread surface for wear of the non-skid for damage that could cause a tripping or slipping hazard.

(2) Monthly Inspection – a thorough up-close visual inspection of all welds, handrail mounts, wheels, lifting, pivot, attaching, and hinge points.

(a) Arrangements must be made to ensure inspection of the underside of the gangway is carried out.

(b) Monthly inspections may occur during the rigging or stowing of the gangway, provided a thorough up-close inspection can take place.

(3) Annual Survey – the CB and at least one other senior crew member must conduct a thorough up-close visual inspection of the entire gangway.

(a) Vessels operating with a Safety Equipment Certificate (SEC), Statement of Voluntary Compliance (SOVC) issued by ABS will have this inspection completed as part of the annual SEC survey in accordance with SOLAS regulation I/8 for annual endorsement. [see MSC Circ. 1331 section 5.1.2]

(4) Five-year Survey/Load Test – at least once every five-years the gangway must be load tested with the specified maximum operational load of the gangway by a third-party (contractor) witnessed by ABS and provide a certificate/report.

(a) All gangways must be visually inspected after completing an operational load test to ensure the following:

i. there is no distortion of the side frames;

ii. the decking or anti-slip steps are adequately secured;

iii. the roller or wheels revolve freely;

iv. if applicable, the stanchions, handrail, and intermediate guides can be easily erected in position;

v. removable fittings for rigid joints can be properly stowed when the gangway is dismantled;

vi. the rating plate is affixed and correct.

(b) Vessels operating with a SEC, SOVC issued by ABS will have this survey completed as part of the SEC survey under SOLAS regulation I/8 for renewal, [see MSC Circ. 1331 section 5.1.2],

(c) Repair – any repairs affecting the structural integrity of the gangway (i.e., fracture/weld repair (other than a handrail)) will require the completion of an operational load test.

4.7 Record Keeping

(A) Each vessel must maintain gangway documentation, including: (as applicable)

(1) Manufacturer's Instructions

(2) Test Certificate (issued by manufacturer)

(3) Photograph of the gangway’s rating plate

(4) Inspection Results, including: (can be digital)

(a) Date

(b) Type of inspection (monthly, annual, 5-year, or damage)

(c) Name of persons completing the inspection and affiliation

(d) Photographs of critical areas and damage (as applicable)

(e) Repair Orders (as applicable)

(f) A brief description of the inspection completed and results (if no discrepancies were noted, state so in the results)

(g) (An entry is not required for visual checks carried out during rigging and stowing evolutions which occur between the monthly inspections. Entries made in the Official Deck Log indicating the gangway is open reflects a satisfactory visual check has occurred.)

(5) Five-year Load Test report/certificate

(6) Copy of repair orders

(7) Entries made in the Official Deck Log indicating the gangway is open, or secured

(B) Temporary use of another gangway.

(1) The CB and deck department will complete a visual inspection of the gangway to be used, in accordance with this procedure.

(2) During drydock and repair periods, access to the ship must be maintained in accordance with requirements herein. Any concerns should be brought to the Contracting Officer immediately.

(3) The CO must make an entry into the Official Deck Log as follows: “The (enter name) gangway was placed into temporary service on this date. Visual inspection completed by [CB]. Gangway is installed and open for service.”

(C) Transfer of gangway - If a ship’s gangway is permanently transferred to another NOAA ship, all associated documents must accompany the gangway. The receiving ship will continue to maintain the gangway records for the life of the gangway.

4.3 Gangway Security

(A) Set appropriate security levels as required by port Maritime Security (MARSEC) Level.

(B) Post “No Visitors” or “Visitors Contact…” signs at pier side of gangway.

5. Records and Reports

Test Certificate (issued by manufacturer) Inspection Results Five-year Load Test report/certificate Copy of repair orders

6. References

29 CFR §1915.74 Access to Vessels 29 CFR §1918.22 Gangways SOLAS II-1/3-9 Means of embarkation on and disembarkation from ships MSC.1/Circ. 1331 Guidelines for Construction, Installation, Maintenance and Inspection/Survey of Means of Embarkation and Disembarkation OMAO Procedure 1102-35 - Safe Use of Rigging Equipment

7. Definitions

Gangway The term “gangway” in this procedure is to be considered synonymous with brow, accommodation ladder, etc.

Turntable A plate welded or hinged outboard of the ship, which allows the gangway to be attached with a single bolt. The gangway can move up or down with surge or tide and angled forward or aft.

Rider Plate A hinged plate that spans the gangway and is pinned through two plates welded to the ship. This hinge arrangement allows the gangway to move up and down with surge or tide, but not angled forward or aft of the ship.

MARSEC The U.S. Coast Guard has a three-tiered system of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels consistent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Advisory System. MARSEC Levels are designed to provide a means to easily communicate pre-planned scalable responses to increased threat levels.

8. Notes

Effect on other documents: None.

Document History

image1.png