Sector: Marine & Industrial
Service: Bespoke Access Scaffolding
Location: Portland Port, Dorset
Programme: 3 Days
Project Overview
3SC Group Scaffolding was appointed to provide a bespoke access scaffold for a vessel at Portland Port in Dorset.
The marine environment presented a number of access challenges, including restricted working space, existing vessel structures and equipment, and the complex geometry of the vessel itself. A standard scaffold arrangement would not have provided suitable access, so the structure needed to be carefully configured around the areas where work was required.
Our experienced scaffolders completed the installation over a three-day programme, creating a practical multi-level working system suited to the vessel and the available space.
Bespoke Scaffold Access Around the Vessel
The scaffold was progressively erected around the vessel, allowing the structure to be adapted as each working level was developed.
The completed installation incorporated:
- Multiple boarded working lifts
- Safe access between working levels
- Guardrails and edge protection
- Bracing and support appropriate to the scaffold configuration
- Adaptations around existing vessel structures and equipment
- Working platforms positioned around the required access areas
- Careful consideration of the restricted marine working environment
The configuration was developed specifically around the shape of the vessel rather than relying on a conventional access scaffold layout.
Working Within a Restricted Marine Environment
Space can be particularly limited when scaffolding around vessels, with the structure needing to accommodate existing equipment and changing profiles while still providing usable working platforms.
Our scaffolders progressively constructed the access system so that each section could be positioned around the vessel’s geometry. This approach allowed the team to respond to restricted areas as the scaffold developed while maintaining a controlled working environment.
Platform positions were selected to provide practical access to the required sections of the vessel, with multiple working levels allowing operatives to reach areas at different heights.
Multi-Level Working Platforms
A key requirement of the project was providing access across several levels of the vessel.
Boarded working lifts were incorporated at appropriate heights, with safe routes provided between the different levels. Guardrails and edge protection formed part of the scaffold arrangement, while suitable bracing and support were incorporated according to the configuration of the structure.
The result was a bespoke scaffold that worked around the vessel rather than obstructing the areas that needed to be accessed.
Completed Within a Three-Day Programme
Despite the restricted working environment and the need to tailor the structure around the vessel, the scaffold was completed within the agreed three-day programme.
The finished installation provided multi-level access across the required working areas while accommodating the existing vessel structure and equipment.
This Portland Port project demonstrates 3SC Group Scaffolding’s ability to deliver bespoke access scaffolding for marine and industrial environments where conventional scaffold arrangements may not be suitable.
