There have been a lot of maritime incidents in the news recently, with boats going missing, sinking and fishermen being found drifting at sea.  These are all quite large-scale happenings, due to weather and sea conditions, but even leisurely boat trips and fishing expeditions can run awry, leaving people overboard and unable to get themselves back into the craft.

Angler Edward Bonser, of Effort, Pennsylvania, found himself in this situation after falling into the water on a solo fishing trip in 2012.  Unable to pull himself back into his boat he was saved after ten minutes by a passing fellow fisherman who helped him back into the boat.  Spending that time in freezing water made Bonser think about what could have happened, had he not been lucky enough to get help from someone else and he vowed to design something that could save his life and that of others if they too, fell overboard.

Bonser designed the Rescue Step, a small emergency ladder that fits onto the side of the boat and provides two rungs to help pull yourself out of the water.  It is designed to be used by people of any size and to be used alone, as Bonser was when he fell overboard.  In black, green or aluminium finishes it will fit in with the colour scheme of most leisure craft and can be fitted after-market or purchased fitted to a new boat from the USA stockists that currently carry the device.  Edward and his wife Mercedes are marketing the Rescue Step across the USA and it may well be available in the UK soon if it takes off.

Bonser knows some people will be skeptical about just how necessary one of these is, as he himself thought he would be able to pull himself back into the boat if he ever went over the side: “You think you can bring yourself up, but you can’t.  When you’re in 40 degree water, fully-clothed, the whole situation changes tremendously.”

The Rescue Step is designed for use in an emergency situation, but there have also been developments in the world of boat ladders for leisure, sometimes referred to as dock ladders.  These usually follow the vertical ladder concept, with two stiles and rungs rising between them, but dogs and people with limited mobility can struggle to use these, effectively cutting them out of water based activities from a boat.

Underwater Steps

The new Aqua-Stairs is a dock ladder designed like a staircase.  The bottom steps sit under the water line making it easier to get in and out of the water, and allow for a gradual introduction to the water.  The Aqua-Stairs dock ladder comes in three to seven step models so there is one for every boat and need, and they are most popular with those who want to swim regularly, as they make the transition from boat to water much easier than conventional boat ladders.  In an emergency overboard situation they are also ideal, because the ease with which they can be used means even an exhausted person can make their way up to safety.

The Aqua–Stairs treads are eight inches deep, providing a large platform for feet and a more stable surface for pets, children and the elderly than the two or three inch deep treads that are found on other dock ladders.  The ladder can be fitted to boats, swimming platforms, pontoons and piers, in fact anywhere that a conventional boat ladder might be used.

Have you ever seen a staircase style ladder on a boat?  If so, we’d love to know what you think of the idea in the comments section below.