If you're worried about going overboard it has to be accessible from the water 100% of the time.
And since it's a just in case thing get minimal since its also going to just be in way 99.99% of time too.
On the tow boat with had a diver ladder. It is a swing up/down single vertical pipe with 3 or 4 steps. The steps are perpendicular piping. Looking like a football lace pattern. Swings off swim platform and into the water
It's small and would work perfect in a jam. As long as boat is not chugging away from you in gear. Then you are simply screwed.
The alternative (if you have an O/B) is use the motor to climb up on the cavitation plate.
