In one embodiment, an electronically controlled hatch
system for safe ingress, egress,
hazard detection, and methods thereof are provided to reduce or eliminate hazards to personnel, including protection of people above and below a scuttle hatch,
access port,
skylight or elevated
deck. Said hatch
system reduces the risk of falls while ascending or descending a ladder through an
access port. In certain embodiments,
severe weather,
hazard, security, and other safety information are detected and transmitted to a central
control unit for
processing and regulating the opening and closing of a hatch covering the
access port and / or raising and lowering a safety railing
system based on said information and / or
user input. Said hatch system may include an
actuator and guides for automatically locking / unlocking and opening / closing a hatch, an
actuator and guides for automatically raising / lowering a railing system,
hazard, security, lighting, and other
safety monitoring detectors / apparatuses, and a centralized controller.