This document is applicable to outboard ladders for inland navigation vessels. Outboard ladders are used on inland navigation vessels having great side heights to facilitate safe climbing into ship's boats, safe disembarking or safe crossing over onto vessels in the case of significantly different boarding heights.

This document specifies safety requirements on design, dimensions and strength and test conditions for outboard ladders.

Outboard ladders are intended for that range where boarding stairs according to EN 1502 are not sufficient in length. This range starts at a boarding height of approximately at 2,8 m above the light water-line.

Outboard ladders are not intended for use by passengers.