How many personnel are required to stow and secure the ECS boarding ladder?

• A. One
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Two

Answer: (D)

Stowing and securing the ECS boarding ladder is a two-person task because it requires coordinated handling and locking to keep the ladder safe and in place. One person guides and stabilizes the ladder as it’s placed into the stow brackets, while the other person secures the latches, straps, or pins and checks that everything is fully engaged so the ladder won’t swing, shift, or fall with vessel motion. This division of effort prevents injuries from pinch points and ensures the ladder is reliably secured for the next use. A single person wouldn’t have both hands free to stabilize the ladder and securely fasten it at the same time, so two personnel is the safe, standard procedure.