Definition

Noun: A portable ladder, typically made of wood or metal, that is hung over the side of a ship or boat to provide a safe means for people to climb between the vessel and a smaller boat (such as a tender or dinghy) alongside it. It is a standard piece of maritime safety equipment.

Usage

The term is used specifically in nautical contexts. It refers to the physical ladder itself and its function. - The accommodation ladder must be securely rigged before passengers can disembark into the tender. - For safety, always hold the handrails when descending the accommodation ladder.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To rig the accommodation ladder": To set up and secure the ladder in its operational position over the ship's side.
• "To embark/disembark via the accommodation ladder": To get on or off a ship using this specific piece of equipment.

Variants and Related Words

• Gangway: A broader term for a passageway or a more permanent, often wider, structure used for boarding a ship. An accommodation ladder is a type of gangway.
• Jacob's ladder: A flexible ladder made of rope or chain with rungs, used for similar purposes but with a different construction.
• Pilot ladder: A specialized, highly regulated rope ladder used specifically for embarking and disembarking maritime pilots.

Synonyms

• Board ladder (less common)
• Ship's ladder (general term, but not specific to side access)

Notes

This is a compound noun. In formal writing, it is often hyphenated (accommodation-ladder). Its meaning is highly specific to the field of navigation and maritime operations.

Noun

1. (nautical) a portable ladder hung over the side of a vessel to give access to small boats alongside