The employer shall ensure that, except in an emergency, access equipment referred to in regulation 14 is always used between a secured vessel and any quay, pontoon or similar structure or another vessel alongside to which that vessel is secured, and that—
| (1) | the access equipment is placed in position promptly after the vessel has been so secured and remains in position while the vessel is so secured; |
| (2) | the access equipment which is used— |
| (i) | is properly constructed, of adequate strength, properly rigged, secured, deployed, and safe to use; and |
| (ii) | is so adjusted from time to time as to maintain safety of access; |
| (3) | the access equipment and immediate approaches thereto are adequately illuminated; |
| (4) | when access is necessary between a vessel and the shore and that vessel is not secured alongside, access equipment is provided to ensure safe access; |
| (5) | a portable ladder is used as access equipment only where no other safe means of access is practicable; |
| (6) | a rope ladder is used as access equipment only between a vessel with high freeboard and a vessel with low freeboard or between a vessel and a boat where no other safe means of access is practicable; |
| (7) | a life-buoy with a self-activating light and a separate safety line attached to a quoit or a similar device is provided ready for use at the point of access to a vessel; and |
| (8) | an adequate number of safety nets are rigged to safeguard the full length of a gangway or accommodation ladder in use. |
