100-Foot Aluminum Gangway Built for Boston Harbor, MA
Lovejoy Wharf is in Boston's North End waterfront neighborhood. It is a newly-renovated section of the city that is enjoying a renaissance. The neighborhood is home to the Boston Garden, Converse's world headquarters, restaurants, bars, and downtown shopping. It now is also home to a brand-new BoardSafe aluminum gangway.
At Lovejoy Wharf, there is ferry service that whisks passengers throughout the harbor. Passengers board and exit the boat from a barge that is accessed via a 100'-long x 5'-wide aluminum gangway that has a landing and steps. This huge gangway was manufactured at BoardSafe's Topton, PA, facility, and shipped in two truckloads. This is a project that we are very proud to say is ours.
To learn more about our aluminum gangways, click here.
Accessible Kayak Launch Installed at Hanna Park in Florida
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a 1.5-mile public beach and city park in Jacksonville, Florida. In April 2019, the City of Jacksonville received and installed its new BoardSafe adaptive kayak launch. Many community advocates had pushed for a long time to get an accessible launch. Now that they have it, the city has invited the community to come out and learn to kayak. They have even invited an occupational therapist to come out and help the adaptive kayakers. Watch the video below to see the story and how lives are being changed!
Rehab Experts and Jacksonville, FL, Partner to Bring Accessibility to Residents
The City of Jacksonville and Brooks Rehabilitation have teamed up with BoardSafe's adaptive kayak launch to provide accessibility to residents with disabilities in Florida. Jacksonville's Adaptive Recreation Program is hosting clinics around the city to educate and encourage residents with disabilities to enjoy kayaking. One of the clinics will be held at Hanna Park where, in the spring of 2019, a new BoardSafe adaptive kayak launch was installed. Read here for more information.
Best Rowing Dock in Philadelphia Is not at Boathouse Row
Like any sport, rowing is competitive. Not only is there competition in the water, but there is also competition out of the water. Temple University's rowing coach says that they have the best rowing dock in Philadelphia. We concur because we believe that we design and manufacture the finest rowing docks and rowing centers around. An aluminum rowing dock with synthetic lumber decking that is 280-feet long, and that is accessed by two 24' x 40' aluminum gangways, is very hard to compete with. That is why Temple is bragging (and so are we). There is pride in rowing and pride in manufacturing great products. Watch the video:
The Temple University Rowing Center is a state-of-the-art facility on the Schuylkill River, characterized as "the best rowing center in Philadelphia" by their crew coach, Brian Perkins. The Temple boathouse is located 2.5 miles north of the famed Boathouse Row, and 11 miles south of the Conshohocken Rowing Center. The site is specially engineered to be fastened into the river bank anchor points above the historic cement riverbank wall. It is also designed to handle the torque from the river current and water level fluctuations. Additionally, the design maintains a 6" freeboard for easy entry and exit from boats and can support varying weight requirements during large events and regattas.
The rowing center was designed, manufactured, and installed by BoardSafe, an experienced manufacturer of aluminum floating docks, aluminum gangways, pedestrian bridges, and other marina access products. For more information about BoardSafe's products or to see their list of rowing center projects, visit boardsafe.com.
BoardSafe Featured in Industry Newsletter
Bethlehem-based insurance carrier, HMK Insurance, featured their client BoardSafe Docks and gave them accolades for their dedication to making aquatic sports and activities more accessible. Below is a snippet of the article:
HMK Client Spotlight: Northeast Products & Services Inc.
How does one manufacture state-of-the-art aluminum boating docks and rowing centers in the middle of a cornfield in rural Pennsylvania? HMK client, Northeast Products & Services, Inc., has certainly figured it out. At their Topton, PA, location, they specialize in engineering and manufacturing floating marinas, rowing centers, gangways, and adaptive docks. Northeast Products & Services, Inc. has been called upon by rowing associations, universities, and cities, to create their unique one-of-a- kind products branded as BoardSafe Docks. In looking closer at the Boardsafe Dock products, the expertise and innovation of this business have an impact far greater than those requiring a water-facing structure. Their projects directly affect the well-being and lives of the general public. Click here to read the article.
How an Accessible Kayak Launch is Built and Assembled
Many outdoors lovers arrive at a local state park, lake, or waterfront, and find an accessible kayak launch. The launch is intriguing to them, and they wonder how it works, who uses it, and how it was built. Below are some photos of the step-by-step process of the assembly of an accessible kayak launch.
First, the accessible kayak launch is designed and manufactured to the client's specifications by BoardSafe Docks in Topton, PA. The accessible kayak launch is pre-assembled and reviewed for quality measures, then loaded for shipping and delivery to the client's location. In this case, the client is located at Saratoga Lake, Florida.
Cape Coral, FL, ADA-Accessible Kayak Launch Installed
Sirenia Vista State Park in Cape Coral, Florida, is an 8-acre environmental park, known as a great place to enjoy viewing manatees. It is also a favorite fishing area for locals. The park is undergoing a series of upgrades. The Phase I enhancements have been completed and include a new BoardSafe ADA-accessible kayak launch area, manatee viewing locations, walking path, and landscape improvements. The new handicap-accessible kayak area now allows all those in the community — regardless of any physical limitations — to safely enjoy the outdoor activities and wildlife.
Enjoying the marine activities at Sirenia Vista State Park is a highlight of the park. The kayak launch allows kayakers access to the Calusa Blueway through Matlacha, and the state park has identified and created a series of water trails. Maps and information can be downloaded from their web site: http://www.capecoral.net/department/parks_and_recreationhome/sirenia_vista.php
This installation was highlighted on the following real estate presentation:
https://youtu.be/YS1pYLAha5g
Sirenia Vista State Park is located at 3916 Ceitus Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida, 33991. The project is another high-quality project by BoardSafe. BoardSafe is a premier manufacturer of aluminum floating docks, aluminum pedestrian bridges, aluminum gangways, aluminum piers, rowing docks, accessible kayak launches, and other marina applications. BoardSafe prides itself not only in its products, but also in offering value-added services like engineering and other solutions to create the best application for each installation. This includes offering creative solutions that are the most practical and cost-effective, offering the least amount of ecological impact on the surrounding habitat. Contact BoardSafe to discuss your needs at 610-899-0286.
Aluminum Floating Docks and Gangway Manufactured for Dartmouth, MA
Dartmouth Maritime Center recently had its gangway and floating docks destroyed by severe weather. BoardSafe Docks was called to manufacture the aluminum floating docks and aluminum gangway for the downtown. Three 8' x 30' aluminum floating docks were manufactured and delivered, as well as one 4' x 40' aluminum gangway. All products have been successfully installed and the residents and visitors are happy once again with their water access.
Adaptive Kayak Launch Florida Installation Time-Lapse Video
Here is another time lapse video of the adaptive and accessible kayak launch being installed at the boat launch.
In January 2019, BoardSafe's first adaptive and accessible kayak launch was installed at Cape Coral in Florida. Below is a time-lapse video of the aluminum gangway, aluminum floating dock, kayak chute, and other boat launch accessories, being unloaded and transported to the installation site.
This installation was highlighted on the following real estate presentation:
What Makes a Dock a Rowing Dock?
Not all docks are created equal. Just as there is a multitude of outdoor activities that one can enjoy at a lake, river, marsh, or other waterfront, there is a plethora of equipment options to help you enjoy those activities.
Rowing docks are docks especially designed for rowing, sculling, crewing, or paddling. Oftentimes, rowing centers are built on lakes and rivers and managed by universities, rowing clubs, or government agencies (local municipalities, parks, etc.).