A boarding aid assists a person in embarking on and disembarking from a
deployed inflatable dinghy over the bow of the dinghy. A handgrip bar is
supported by a support structure selectively coupled with the dinghy so
as to be placed over the bow of the dinghy, with the handgrip bar spaced
above the bow at an elevated position which renders the handgrip
accessible for ready grasping by a person remaining essentially erect as
the person steps aboard or leaves the dinghy. Upon selective uncoupling
of the support structure from the dinghy, the support structure and the
handgrip bar will be released for stowing apart from the dinghy.