safety Archives - Gibson Marine Construction

For Waterfront Property Owners, It’s All About ‘Safety First’

March 14, 2017 by gibson Leave a Comment

Owning a waterfront property in Florida, or other coastal towns throughout the U.S., can certainly feel like a privilege; but with great perks, comes great responsibility! Keeping your waterfront property, and all that comes with it, well-maintained can help keep your friends, family and visitors safe, allowing you to enjoy all that mother nature has to offer.

Having worked in the marine construction industry for over 30 years, we here at Gibson Marine have truly “seen it all.” From failing, or dilapidated seawalls, rotting or leaning docks and decks, rusted or broken boat lifts, and worse, we have seen what can happen when outdoor structures are ignored or neglected. Each of these conditions, mentioned above, not only create eye sores for your neighbors, but grave safety concerns for anyone attempting to use or walk on these structures. However, we’ve yet to come across a seawall, dock, deck or boat lift we couldn’t fix! Below, we’ve compiled some of the major concerns we face as waterfront property owners, and when you should leave the repairs to the experts!

Seawalls

A seawall acts as your first line of defense, and is an invaluable structure for homeowners on the water. While we recommend regular cleaning, maintenance and monitoring of your seawall, a major storm or invisible damage can result in a severely compromised seawall that needs professional attention ASAP. If you feel that your seawall might be damaged, it’s always better to call an expert to come out and take a look at it – better safe than sorry!

Common causes of damage to seawalls:

Example of a damaged seawall in need of repair

Natural wear and tear over time
Storm surge/hurricanes
Lack of maintenance
Changing water flow
Improper installation

Docks and/or Decks

While seawalls act as the first line of defense for your waterfront property, they oftentimes go unnoticed. However, your backyard deck, (and if you have one) dock are often where most the activity happens in your outdoor space, and is usually what guests and visitors see first. Docks and decks can rot or break after time and if they aren’t protected with pressure-treated lumber or built with quality materials, they immediately become a safety hazard to your family or visitors.

While there is a lot that a homeowner can do to protect their dock or deck against damage, if rot sets in, it’s time to call in the professionals. Some common signs that it might be time to call the professionals are:

Example of damaged deck in need of repair

Rotting or broken wood
Bowing or loose beams
Termites
Nails or screws won’t hold

Boat Lifts

Every good boatowner knows just how important it is to take care of your investment with regular maintenance, cleaning and long-term care. If you’re fortunate enough to live on the water as a boatowner, it’s imperative that you invest in a boat lift. Boat lifts are central to upkeep and is one of the best ways to proactively maintain the hull. A boat’s hull is obviously subjected to the most potential abuse; particularly if left in the water for extended periods of time. The eventual corrosive effects of elements like algae, moss, and salt water can wear away at the finish, something no boatowner wants to see.

Protecting and maintaining your boat lift is one in the same with protecting and maintaining your boat. Here are some of the common causes of damage to your boatlift:

Excessive chafe on the cables
Over-extending the life of your cables
Improper maintenance/care of lift beams
Cracked bunks
Improperly greased gears, drive units, pulleys, etc.

If any of these warning signs sound familiar to you, it might be time to give us a call. Safety is something that should be on the forefront of every waterfront property owner’s mind, and maintaining your seawalls, docks and decks, and boat lifts is a big part of staying safe!

Do-It-Yourself Docks

December 17, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

The DIY Revolution. The two best things to happen to homeowners in the history of residential housing: HGTV and Home Depot.

Then came the rise of the “kits” — everything you needed to install anything from interior doors to exterior sheds could be purchased in one shrink-wrapped parcel that contained all necessary bolts, anchors, and brackets.

This was followed by YouTube with videos of regular people transforming their kitchens, converting garages into apartments, and even creating a relaxation oasis out of a tiny fenced yard. On your monitor, step-by-step instructions for a full-on DIY Weekend. All lofty goals, all contributed to pride of ownership and in some cases, enabled cost savings.

But should a line be drawn as to what people who are not contractors (or professionals in a particular industry) try to construct? If you could buy a kit on Amazon, would you build your own car? Your own boat? Your own dock at the water’s edge?

Yes, we have been in the marine construction industry for over thirty years. We know what it takes to install a solid, (seaworthy if you will), structure. We are also big on consumer education and want our clients to know how to inspect their docks, decking, and seawalls for changes to their integrity that could cause a breach and mark the beginning of structural damage.

When we build our docks, we are known for our beautiful designs and integrating structures to suit a home’s architecture. But we are about safety first. And we want you to be too. That is why we advocate having your dock built by a professional.

These are our top seven reasons against a DIY Deck:

You are talking about a structure that is on the water upon which people will walk. This is not a fence that surrounds your vegetable garden. Safety is paramount.
You likely don’t have the right tools. You can rent them, but if it is something you need to rent, you likely do not have the proficiency to use them as you don’t already own them.
Installing the supporting posts (or pilings) in the water to sustain your dock or pier necessitates jetting with water, or driving with a pile driver. It’s a big job.
You require an excellent understanding of the soil characteristics. Is the earth at your water’s edge solid enough to be load-bearing? Can it even support the weight of the equipment needed to drive the piles?
Installing a dock requires solid calculations so it stays installed.
You need to be certain you are conforming to safety codes and filing all the appropriate permits with your county or homeowners’ association.
You need professional grade materials. Whether pressure-treated wood or PVC, marine-certified supplies must be used and then fastened with the exact type and quantity of fasteners for that material.

Try your hand at taping and spackling (it is actually harder to do than it looks!) or installing a floating floor in your family room; but when it comes to water structures, you want to consider imposing some DIY limitations. Those are the times when a marine construction specialist is your best don’t-do-it-yourself resource.

Keep Your Boating Season Safe and Fun

June 16, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

As boating season approaches it’s a good idea to review basic boating safety rules no matter how experienced you may be. We have included some boating tips, below, to ensure all your boating trips are as safe as they are fun!

Be aware of weather: You can check weather information on TV, radio or Internet so always make sure you check before leaving the dock. While on the water your VHF radio is your main source for weather reports. Weather can be unpredictable and change rapidly so make sure you are always keeping an eye out for warning signs. Two main indications of a high-storm probability are 1.) a lowering ceiling, this means the cloud formations are getting lower and cumulus (puffy) clouds are forming vertically, 2.) a sudden drop in temperature, a change in wind, or a drop in pressure.

Life Jackets: A life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device) is an easy safety device to use and it could save your life. There are many different types of flotation devices so choose one that suits your boating activities and conditions. Every boat must have a lifejacket that is Coast Guard approved for every person on board, and all lifejackets must be properly sized for each person aboard. Children under 13 and people who are doing water sports (water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing) must be wearing a life jacket. All life jackets must be readily available and not out of reach. There are many different types of floatation devices so buy one that suits you and keep it close.

Float Plans: Creating a float plan every time you take a trip on your boat can increase the chances of the Coast Guard being able to help you if something does go wrong. A float plan can be left with a relative, friend or at your local marina. A float plan should typically include your name, address, phone number of all passengers, boat type and registration information, your itinerary for the day or the length of your trip, and your communication equipment. Remember to call and report your location regularly this will help the Coast Guard pin point your location.

Designate a Sober Skipper: Make sure there is at least one person on board, at all times, who is familiar with your boat handling, operations, and safety. This way if the primary skipper is injured or incapable of performing these duties, someone else is there to safely return everyone on board back to shore. Almost half of all boating accidents involve alcohol, so keep the alcohol consumption ashore. It is illegal to operate a boat while intoxicated so ensure someone on board is sober and capable of operating the boat at all times. Being out in the sun and with all the stressors of boating you need all of your attention to focus on safety. Alcohol impairs your ability to do this so save your alcohol for when you arrive safely back at the dock.

In addition to all of these safety tips taking a boating safety course will ensure you are familiar with all safety rules. Many websites and marinas offer boating safety courses online and in person. Educating yourself is the best way to keep your boating trips as fun and safe as they can be!

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