sea ladder
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * A portable ladder, typically made of rope or metal with wooden or metal rungs, designed to be lowered over the side of a ship or boat to allow people to climb aboard from the water or from a smaller vessel.
Usage
- The term is specifically used in a nautical (sailing/shipping) context.
- It refers to the physical object (the ladder) and the action of deploying it (lowering the sea ladder).
- It is often stored on deck and secured to the ship's railings or bulwarks when in use.
Examples
- After the swim, the crew lowered the sea ladder so we could climb back onto the yacht.
- The rescue boat pulled alongside, and the survivors used the sea ladder to board the larger ship.
- For safety, always check that the sea ladder is securely fastened before using it.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be part of operational commands or procedures, e.g., "Prepare the sea ladder for boarding."
- It is a standard piece of safety equipment on many vessels.
Variants and Related Words
- Boarding ladder: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "sea ladder."
- Jacob's ladder: A specific type of rope ladder with wooden rungs used on ships, which can serve as a sea ladder.
- Gangway: A more substantial, often fixed, walkway for boarding a ship, typically used when docked.
Synonyms
- Boarding ladder
- Ship's ladder
- Accommodation ladder (though this often refers to a more substantial, sometimes fixed, set of steps)
Antonyms / Contrasting Terms
- Gangplank: A rigid walkway, usually used in port.
- Embarkation deck: The area where one boards, not the means of climbing.
Related Phrases
- To lower the sea ladder: The action of deploying it.
- To climb the sea ladder: The action of using it.
Noun
- (nautical) ladder to be lowered over a ship's side for coming aboard