When is it recommended to deploy the swim ladder on a boat?

Deploying the swim ladder before swimming is the recommended practice because it ensures that the ladder is ready for use when individuals are ready to enter the water or return to the boat. Setting up the ladder in advance provides an easy and safe way to reboard the boat after swimming, which is crucial for safety, especially if boaters have been in the water for an extended period.

Having the ladder deployed before swimming also allows anyone preparing to enter the water to have a clear understanding of how to access the boat afterward. This practice helps avoid unnecessary delays or complications that could arise if someone needs to return to the boat and the ladder is not easily accessible.

Deploying the ladder at other times, such as before mooring or before the boat starts, may not align with the practical need for safe access post-swim. After swimming, it would not make much sense to deploy the swim ladder as it is already impractical to consider it at that point when reboarding is often the immediate need.