Bordstigning

Bordstigning is the act of boarding a vessel or aircraft, commonly used in Nordic languages to describe the process of moving from land or a dock onto a ship or other carrier. In maritime practice it covers the embarkation of crew, passengers, pilots, and cargo, as well as the related disembarkation from the vessel.

In practice, bordstigning involves the use of access equipment such as gangways, accommodation ladders, or pilot ladders, and is guided by established safety procedures. The responsible person on board, typically the master or officer in charge, coordinates the operation with port authorities and the crew. Factors such as weather, sea state, lighting, and the condition of the access equipment influence how and when boarding occurs. Identity checks, briefing on safety rules, and the distribution of necessary protective gear are common pre-boarding steps.

Safety measures commonly emphasized include three-point contact when climbing ladders, wearing life jackets where applicable, and ensuring guardrails, non-slip surfaces, and secure lines are in place. When pilots board a vessel, specialized procedures and equipment, such as a pilot ladder and additional hand-holds, are required, often with the pilot secured to the ship during ascent or descent.

Regulatory frameworks for bordstigning are provided by international maritime organizations and national authorities, including guidelines on the use of appropriate ladders, fall protection, and communication between the ship and shore during embarkation and disembarkation. See also embarkation, gangway, pilot ladder, and SOLAS.