SD Boatworks Install Harken Industrial Access Rail on Superyacht
Business Segment:
Commercial Marine
Location:
Seattle, Washington, US
Project Description:
SD Boatworks worked on a superyacht that required an access solution for the front of the hull to allow the crew to safely clean the windows and carry out essential maintenance work.
The solution needed to make access to this part of the superyacht easier and improve the safety of workers when carrying out these tasks.
A suitable solution for the vessel had never previously been found until the Harken Industrial Access Rail was recommended.
Solution/Equipment Used:
The 27 mm Access Rail system is designed for use as an adjustable anchorage point for rope access, fall arrest and human suspension.
The operator has freedom of movement when working at height and can use the adjustable pinstop to lock the trolley into position.
The rail is designed to withstand corrosive environments, is CE compliant (EN795.2012) and Torlon ball bearing trolleys can handle high loads without restricting movement.
The system’s characteristics made it the ideal solution for the maintenance work that the crew needed to carry out when suspended over the side of the vessel.
SD Boatworks completed specialized training in the installation, maintenance and testing of the tracks before the installation could be completed.
Class requires type approval of the fastening method, so the team took a sample of the yacht and made a mockup of the hull structure with the rail on for load testing.
This was done to a very high safety factor using 5/16” stainless steel fasteners screwed into 1/2” stainless steel key locking inserts drilled and threaded into the side of the hull.
Once testing was complete, the rails were mounted on the forward half of the superyacht on both the port and starboard sides.
Summary:
In the commercial marine sector, especially for larger superyachts, installing a system that improves access around the vessel, as well as one that enhances crew safety, is important.
The Access Rail achieved this, giving crew peace of mind that they’re safe when cleaning the windows and completing required maintenance work.
Find out more about the Harken Industrial R27 Access Rail.
Client Testimonial:
“We chose the Harken Industrial Access Rail because it is the industry standard on superyachts worldwide for this type of access system. The product has been proven and is highly refined, offering advantages such as captive ball bearings in the trolleys, standardized installation and testing methods, as well as being EN795 compliant.”
“Another advantage to the system is that Harken Industrial have provided product specific training to our team at SD Boatworks which gives us proper protocols for the install, testing and inspections of these systems. This further promotes our confidence in both the product and its safety.”
David Servais, Owner, San Diego Boatworks
