Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the safe transfer of personnel or material from an object configured as a boat to an object moving relative thereto. The device comprises a dedicated loading or unloading device, a transfer element, and a regulating device for minimizing the relative movement of the transfer element relative to the other object. The loading or unloading device is configured as an industrial robot (4, 14, 34), and the robot arm thereof is configured as a support arm. For this purpose, the transfer element is attached to the free end of the support arm, or is configured such that it may be connected to the free end of the support arm.