Gangway
A Gangway is the movable walkway or ladder that provides safe access between a ship and the quay when the vessel is berthed. It must be rigged, secured and lit correctly, fitted with proper handrails and a safety net beneath, so crew, surveyors, agents and stevedores can board and disembark safely.
The gangway is also the ship's controlled access-control point: under the ISPS Code a watch is kept at the gangway to check the identity and authorisation of everyone coming aboard, log visitors, and prevent unauthorised access — part of the ship's security plan. Gangway safety and gangway watch are routine but important shipboard responsibilities, and gangway accidents (falls between ship and quay) are a recognised safety hazard that surveys and inspections scrutinise.
Every person who boards a ship in port crosses the gangway — so it is both a leading cause of port accidents and the front line of ship security. A properly rigged, watched gangway keeps people safe and keeps unauthorised visitors off under ISPS. It is a small structure that carries real safety and security weight.
What is a gangway watch?
A crew member stationed at the gangway to control and log access under the ISPS Code, checking who comes aboard.
Why is gangway safety important?
Falls between ship and quay are a recognised hazard; correct rigging, handrails, lighting and a safety net protect everyone boarding.