Entire Document - California Department of Boating and Waterways ...

Various deck coatings can provide excellent traction on both new and alteredgangways. However, attention to detail during application of the coatings is critical.Consideration must be given to temperature, humidity, surface preparation, porosityof the decking, product selection and adherence to manufacturer’srecommendations. Also, coated gangways must be touched up or re-coatedperiodically in order to maintain safe and suitable traction and appearance.Gangway coatings usually consist of binder base materials such as acrylic resin orlatex that contain fine aggregate materials such as silica sand, Carborundum,ground walnut shells or other hard durable materials that provide a long-wearingnon-slip surface. Keep in mind that as the binder material wears, the incorporatedaggregate material will progressively come into view, sometimes resulting in gradualchanges in surface texture and color.Characteristics of a suitable deck coating should include flexibility, good bonding,and resistance to deterioration from UV and minerals in local water. Darker colorsare probably more resistant to UV damage, but also absorb the most heat fromsunlight during the spring, summer and fall boating season. The presence of salt,alkali and other mineral components may be detrimental to the integrity and servicelife of the coating, and ultimately to the gangway structure. Flexibility is critical toenable the coating to bend and flex in accordance with the dynamic nature of agangway, and to properly respond to thermal expansion and contraction of thegangway during daily and seasonal temperature cycles.On new construction, gangway coatings typically are applied in fabrication shopsunder controlled conditions. However, field application of gangway coatings shouldbe performed either (1) on shore after temporary removal of a gangway, or (2) inplace over water using approved procedures to repair and/or remove existingcoatings and apply new materials. Containment methods must be employed tocatch, contain and remove any coating materials, new or removed, that could enterthe water as chips, dust, vapor, spray, drips or spills.How aggressive a surface texture to provide on a gangway is a local judgment callthat must be tempered by local conditions and consideration of the users. If asurface is too smooth, it will not provide adequate traction on steep slopes whenwet. If too aggressive and rough, it may be suitable to boot-wearing personsengaged in commercial fishing, but be totally unsatisfactory for young childrenwearing shorts who are prone to falling down and scuffing their hands and knees.Also, some senior citizens who are only able to slightly lift their feet when walkingwill sometimes have problems with their shoes catching on surfaces that are tooaggressive. Additionally, the rougher the surface, the faster the high points wear,and the more difficult it is to keep clean and serviceable.The color of a gangway decking is important. Metal decking should be lightlyblasted to remove the shine that can be overly bright on sunny days. Such lightblasting removes oil and fabrication residue, and is excellent preparation forapplication of deck coatings. Dark colors are to be avoided as they become hotduring summer days, and can actually burn bare feet. The absorbed heat from darkAppendix A -- Section F Commentary - Page 116