- May 12, 2026
- 2025 , Circulars
- Comments : 0
IMO Embarkation/Disembarkation Guidelines
C26028| 08 May 2026
Notice to: Ship Owners / Managers / Operators / Surveyors / Auditors
IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1331/Rev.1 revises the Guidelines for the Construction, Installation, Maintenance and Inspection/Survey of Means of Embarkation and Disembarkation and aligns them with the applicable ISO Standards.
Points to Note:
Definitions
“Installed on or after 1 July 2026” means:
• for ships for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2026, or in the absence of the contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2026, any installation date on the ship; or
• for ships other than those above, a contractual delivery date for the equipment or, in its absence, the actual delivery date of the equipment to the ship on or after 1 July 2026.
A “safety net” is a net which is rigged between the ship’s side and the means of (dis)embarkation to prevent a person from falling into the water or onto the quayside from a means of (dis)embarkation.
Construction
The structure of the accommodation ladders and gangways and their fittings and attachments are to allow regular inspection, maintenance of all parts and, if necessary, lubrication of their pivot pin. Special care should be taken to ensure that the welding connection works are properly performed.
The table below summarises the applicable standards and revisions to the Guidelines:
| Installation Date | Ship Construction Date | Recommended International Standards* | Equipment | What has changed |
| Before 01 July 2026 | On or after 01 January 2010 | ISO 5488:1979
ISO 7061:1993
ISO 7364:1983 |
Accommodation Ladders,
Aluminium Shore Gangways,
Accommodation Ladder Winches.
|
A safety net is not required if the hazard of falling through the sides of the means of (dis)embarkation is adequately mitigated: • by a top railing of rigid construction, at least 1m high, and • a side net rigged between the railing and the base of the accommodation ladder, including its upper and lower platforms, or the gangway.A safety net is not required if the hazard of falling through the sides of the means of (dis)embarkation is adequately mitigated: • by a top railing of rigid construction, at least 1m high, and • a side net rigged between the railing and the base of the accommodation ladder, including its upper and lower platforms, or the gangway.The crew are to wear life jackets and safety harnesses while rigging the accommodation ladder, gangway and the safety net.Safety nets and side nets are to be: • properly stored in a ventilated place, avoiding sunlight and chemical contamination, • checked and maintained regularly and replaced if necessary.The five-yearly testing of accommodation ladders: • are to be done statically with the maximum working load, • the winch is to be operationally tested by raising and lowering the unloaded accommodation ladder.Testing is to be carried out with the ladder or gangway in the horizontal position, and the accommodation ladder suspended by the wire(s) and supported by the winch. |
| On or after 01 July 2026 | On or after 01 January 2010 | ISO 5488:2015
ISO 7061:2015 or 2024
ISO 7364:2016 |
Accommodation Ladders,
Aluminium Shore Gangways,
Accommodation Ladder Winches.
|
|
| On or after 01 July 2026 | Before 01 January 2010 | ** ISO 5488:1979 or 2015
**ISO 7061:1993, 2015 or 2024
**ISO 7364:1983 or 2016 |
Accommodation Ladders,
Aluminium Shore Gangways,
Accommodation Ladder Winches.
|
|
| * and/or national standards and/or other requirements recognised by the Administration.
** insofar as is reasonable and practicable. |
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Act now
Ship Owners/Managers/Operators/Surveyors/Auditors are to note the contents of MSC.1/Circ.1331/Rev.1, be guided accordingly, and ensure crews are trained and instructed as required.
