If you go swimming as much as the "Admiral" and I do, then you know that getting up the swim ladder can be a real pain in the feet. (It can also cause a nasty fall.) The addition of an extra step, and the wooden tread, makes the ascent easy and comfortable. Note the pull cord for retracting the ladder after you (ah-hem) forgot to while underway. Note: USCG recommends being able to lower the ladder from in the water, so I added a quick-disconnect snap deal to allow it to swing down.