A combination ladder arrangement for high freeboard vessels refers to the required setup that combines an accommodation ladder with a pilot ladder to ensure the safe transfer of marine pilots between a pilot boat and the ship. This arrangement is used when the vessel’s freeboard is too high for a pilot ladder alone to reach safely.

In this setup, the accommodation ladder provides the main inclined walkway, while the pilot ladder is rigged at the lower end of the platform so the pilot can board and disembark at a safe height above the sea. International regulations prescribe several key requirements:
• The pilot ladder must extend at least 2 meters above the lower platform.
• The ladder must be secured to the ship’s side at a point 1.5 meters above the accommodation ladder platform.
• The pilot ladder must offer a climbing height of 1.5 to 9 meters.
• The lower platform must remain horizontal and positioned at least 5 meters above the water.
• The accommodation ladder must maintain a maximum slope of 45 degrees.