---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 108.160"
title: "46"
number: "108.160"
heading: "Vertical ladders."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/108.160"
---

# §108.160. Vertical ladders.

- (a) Each vertical ladder must have rungs that are—
  - (1) At least 41 centimeters (16 inches) in length;
  - (2) Not more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) apart, uniform for the length of the ladder; and
  - (3) **At least 18 centimeters (7 inches) from the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder.**
- (b) Except when unavoidable obstructions are encountered, there must be at least 11.5 centimeters (4 1/2 inches) clearance above each rung.
- (c) Except as provided in [§ 108.540(h)(3)(ii)](/cfr/46/108.540.md?p=h-3-ii), each exterior vertical ladder more than 6 meters (20 ft.) in length must be fitted with a cage or ladder safety device meeting ANSI Standard 14.3 (1974) for fixed ladders.
- (d) No vertical fixed ladders may be made of wood.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 73-251, 43 FR 56808, Dec. 4, 1978, as amended by USCG-2002-13058, 67 FR 61279, Sept. 30, 2002]

### Authority

Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3102, 3306; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGD 73-251, 43 FR 56808, Dec. 4, 1978, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 73-251, 43 FR 56808, Dec. 4, 1978, as amended by USCG-2002-13058, 67 FR 61279, Sept. 30, 2002]