Which ladder type is used for emergency access to a ship from a small boat?

The Pilot's ladder is specifically designed for safe and efficient boarding and disembarking from vessels, especially when boarding from smaller boats or in emergency situations. It is a flexible, rope-ladder type that can be easily deployed over the side of a ship to allow personnel from small craft to board the vessel. The design typically includes wooden steps that provide a stable footing and are spaced to accommodate difficult conditions such as waves or currents.

In a maritime context, pilot ladders are critical for facilitating the safe transfer of pilots, and they meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for safety and construction. This makes them particularly useful during emergencies when quick access is needed, and the situation might not allow for the use of larger or more cumbersome access solutions.

Other ladder types, such as the accommodation ladder, are more suited for general use and might not be easily deployable in urgent scenarios, while a rescue ladder is specifically designed for use in rescue operations, and a sea ladder is often used for direct access to the water but may not be designed for the operational requirements of boarding from a small boat.