accommodation ladder

American  

noun

1. a portable flight of steps, usually having a small platform at each end, suspended at the side of a vessel to give access to and from boats alongside.

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accommodation ladder British  

noun

1. nautical a flight of stairs or a ladder for lowering over the side of a ship for access to and from a small boat, pier, etc

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Etymology

Origin of accommodation ladder

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

accommodation ladder

Next morning I was enjoying the cool breeze under the bridge awning, when the second mate came up to inform me that a shore boat was approaching the accommodation ladder.

From The Kidnapped President by Guy Newell Boothby

A boat was pulled up to the accommodation ladder.

From With Cochrane the Dauntless by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty

After a protracted delay the boats succeeded in approaching near enough to the accommodation ladder to enable the commercial men to embark.

From The Fortunate Isles Life and Travel in Majorca, Minorca and Iviza by Mary Stuart Boyd

In less than ten minutes the boat had been swung out by means of a derrick, and was straining at her painter alongside the accommodation ladder.

From The Wireless Officer by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

The first cutter touched the side of the Ben Nevis, and Mr. Pillgrim went up the accommodation ladder.

From Brave Old Salt or, Life on the Quarter Deck by Oliver Optic