A buoyant marine safety ladder apparatus includes a ladder that is pivotably mounted to a seawall or other support platform and is alternatable between a retracted condition, wherein the ladder is floating above the water, and a deployed or extended condition, wherein the lower end of the ladder extends into the water. A stop component restricts pivoting of the ladder such that it extends upwardly from the body of water at an angle of approximately 45 when in the extended condition.