I finally understood why my old boss was so picky about ladder placement on the barge.

We were working a channel near Mobile, and I kept setting the ladder straight up on the deck for speed. After a big wake from a passing ship, it slid and nearly went over the side. My boss made me move it to a 45-degree angle against the rail every single time. Two weeks later, another wake hit, and that ladder didn't budge an inch. It's a tiny change that takes five extra seconds, but it completely stopped a major safety risk. How do you guys secure gear on deck when you're in choppy water?

4 comments

4 Comments

shane1701mo ago

My old crew called me the king of shortcuts until a toolbox full of wrenches slid across the deck and almost took out my ankle. Now I'm a total convert to the angle-and-lash method. I'll even double up lines on anything that looks like it could become a missile. That extra minute tying knots beats chasing your gear into the drink any day.

zarat3715d ago

My uncle's boat had a custom welded bracket just for the ladder base. It was a simple U-channel that held the feet in place before you even tied it down. Ever seen something like that on a workboat?

shah.xena1mo ago

All that extra tying is just busywork for calm water sailors. A solid 45 is enough if you know how to place it right against a solid rail cleat. I've worked the gulf for years and never lost a ladder that was angled properly, even in some nasty chop. Strapping everything down just slows the whole crew when you need to move fast.

derekn181mo ago

Man, that 45-degree trick is solid, but I'd still tie it off. A big enough wake could knock it loose even at an angle, you know? I've seen gear shift in ways you wouldn't believe. So my rule is always angle it AND use a ratchet strap or a line to the rail. It takes ten more seconds and then you know it's not going anywhere, no matter what the water throws at you.