MarinaStep TG Series Installation at Icicle Seafood AK

A marine gangway for fishing vessels has to do more than bridge the gap between dock and vessel. Walkways must withstand harsh weather, constant motion, and nonstop traffic while keeping crews safe. SafeRack’s MarinaStep marine truss gangways provide safe, stable access for shipping and fishing ports across the country.  

Icicle Seafoods and SafeRack’s MarinaStep Solution

At Icicle Seafoods’ Alaska facility, crews move between shore and vessels in freezing, wet conditions where a slip or misstep can be life‑threatening. As one of Alaska’s longest operating seafood processing companies, they choose only top-quality safety gear. SafeRack supplied them with a MarinaStep Truss Gangway (TG) system engineered for the harsh marine environment. Our equipment now provides their workers a stable, OSHA-compliant means of access that performs through weather and tidal changes.

What Is a Truss Marine Gangway?

Many marine operations require a walkway that can reach far while remaining stable and withstanding heavy winds and choppy tides.  A truss gangway for marine and shipping ports uses a rigid truss structure under the walking surface to span longer distances while staying lightweight and stable. In marine applications, this design allows the gangway to reach from fixed docks to fishing vessels with varying freeboards, flex with movements without creating bounce or sway, and support both foot traffic and rolling loads. 

Key Features of the MarinaStep Truss Gangway

SafeRack’s truss gangways by MarinaStep use interlocking elements to provide consistent results to ports around the globe. A few key features include:

• Engineered for Fishing Vessels: Our gangways are designed for repeated embarkation and debarkation in crowded working decks, and can be used for boats, ships, or barges. 
• Non‑Slip Walking Surface: Aggressive tread surfaces such as stamped, bar grating, or curved treads provide traction on wet, icy surfaces common in northern fisheries. Walk surfaces can be oriented with cleat or non-cleat options. Operational angles vary from 20 degrees to 45 degrees, depending on the surface 
• Full Guardrails and Toe Boards: Continuous railings and kick plates help the gangway remain compliant with OSHA 1918.22 and other relevant guidelines, reducing fall risks at the edge of the dock or vessel.
• Variable Power Options: MarinaStep Truss Gangways can be operated through a variety of means, including manual lifting, existing crane, counterbalanced springs, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, EZ-Lift Pulley systems, or a winch system. 
• Custom Dimensions: Our TG Series marine gangways can be made to meet your workflow. Models are available up to 80 feet in length and widths of 2 feet to 5 feet, with a live load capacity of 750 pounds.
• Tide‑Friendly Movement: Pivot and roller connections allow the gangway to follow vessel and tide movement while maintaining a predictable slope.
• Durable Marine Construction: Aluminum, U-body design provides long-lasting access that resists corrosion from saltwater spray and de‑icing chemicals.

Cold‑Weather Marine Injuries and Why Quality Gangways Matter

Fishing and other marine industries are high-risk occupations. A CDC report found that water transportation had a fatal injury rate of 15.9 per 100,000, five times higher than the workforce average. In Alaska, this rate is even higher, with an average occupational death rate of 140 per 100,000 workers, or 20 times the national average. A purpose‑built marine gangway for fishing vessels with non‑slip surfaces, guardrails, and proper slope dramatically reduces the risk of deaths and catastrophic injuries when loading and unloading at port.

Talk to a SafeRack Marine Safety Expert

If your crews are still using makeshift ramps or aging gangways, it’s time to upgrade. SafeRack can design a Truss Gangway tailored to your dock geometry, vessel mix, and climate. We can provide the same high-quality access system as we did for Icicle Seafood. Contact us today to speak with one of our marine safety experts to learn how we can improve the productivity and protection of your dock.