ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe automatic safety gangplank includes a pluralityof cooperating ladder sections which are extendable from afully telescoped or retracted position to an elongatedposition for extension from a dock to the deck of a ship.The end of the base ladder section is connected to a rotatableturntable and is equipped with a pair of lift cylinders. Theturntable and the lift cylinders are connected to respectivelyrotate and elevate the base segment at all times, when theother gangplank ladder sections are either in their extendedor retracted positions. A gangway extends from the end of theoutermost ladder section in angular relationship and ispositioned upon the deck of the ship. Automatic controls whichare responsive to changes in elevation of the deck relativeto the dock are provided to automatically either extend,retract, elevate or lower the safety gangplank as may benecessary to continuously maintain a safe walkway between thedock and the deck of the ship for all relative positions ofthe deck when the ship is either simply docked or when it isbeing loaded or unloaded.
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