7. The employer and the master shall ensure that:—
(a)a portable ladder is used for the purpose of access to the ship only where no safer means of access is reasonably practicable;
(b)a rope ladder is used only for the purpose of access between a ship with high freeboard and a ship with low freeboard or between a ship and a boat if no safer means of access is reasonably practicable;
(c)any rope ladder used for the purpose of access to a ship complies with the specifications contained in section 2.6 of the Code;
provided that the requirements of this regulation shall not affect the requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders, and Hoists) Regulations 1987(1).
S.I. 1987/1961.