Manson Engineering designs, manufactures and installs aluminium and steel gangways for marinas, ferry terminals, ports and waterfront infrastructure projects across New Zealand.
Our gangways are designed for safe access between fixed structures and floating pontoons. We offer proven standard designs as well as custom gangway solutions developed around the site, loading, access and architectural requirements of each project.
Custom marina gangways for New Zealand waterfront projects
Manson gangways are designed for strength, low maintenance and long-term performance in demanding marine environments.
The longitudinal trusses in our standard aluminium gangway provide structural strength while also forming the handrails and side barriers. This creates a practical structure with a strong weight-to-strength ratio and fewer unnecessary components.
Manson Engineering can manage the full project in house, including design support, engineering, fabrication, delivery and installation.
Standard and custom gangway options
Our standard gangway design provides a proven solution for many marina and waterfront applications. Where a project has specific functional, structural or visual requirements, our team can develop a custom solution.
Gangways can be designed around:
- Required length and width
- Pontoon movement and tidal range
- Pedestrian and service access
- Loading requirements
- Handrail and barrier requirements
- Surface and deck options
- Site connection details
- Architectural and visual requirements
- Coastal exposure and durability
- Installation and lifting requirements
Common marina gangway applications
Manson Engineering supplies gangways and related access structures for:
- Marinas
- Ferry terminals
- Ports and wharves
- Floating pontoons
- Public waterfronts
- Commercial marine facilities
- Service access platforms
- Coastal infrastructure projects
- Pedestrian access structures
- Custom floating access systems
How Manson marina gangways work
Marina gangways need to accommodate the movement between a fixed land-based structure and a floating pontoon.
Manson gangways use connection, roller and guide systems that allow the gangway to move as water levels and pontoon positions change, while keeping the structure controlled and correctly aligned.
Abutment connection and movement
The upper end of the gangway connects to the fixed structure through a hanging system designed to accommodate the multi-directional movement of the floating pontoon.
This allows the gangway to respond to changing water levels and pontoon movement without placing unnecessary stress on the gangway or its connections.
Pontoon rollers and guides
At the pontoon end, rollers allow the gangway to move along its length as the pontoon rises, falls or shifts.
Tracks or guides control sideways movement and help keep the gangway correctly positioned during use.
The final system is designed around the pontoon, tidal movement, site conditions and project requirements.
Why choose Manson Engineering?
- Design, engineering, fabrication and installation managed in house
- Standard and custom marina gangway options
- Aluminium and steel fabrication capability
- Practical support for consultants, contractors and project managers
- Proven gangway designs for marine environments
- Low-maintenance material and finish options
- Documentation to support project and consenting requirements
- Standard 10-year warranty
Marina Gangway FAQs
A marina gangway is an access structure that connects a fixed wharf, abutment or land-based structure to a floating pontoon.
Because pontoons move with tides, water levels and wave action, the gangway needs to move while maintaining safe and stable pedestrian access.
Yes. Manson Engineering manufactures standard and custom marina gangways.
Custom gangways can be designed to suit the required dimensions, loads, pontoon movement, access needs, site connections and architectural requirements of the project.
Manson Engineering manufactures gangways using aluminium and steel, depending on the project requirements.
Aluminium is commonly used because it provides a strong, durable and relatively lightweight solution for marine environments. Material, finish and structural requirements are confirmed during the design process.
Yes. Aluminium is well suited to many coastal and marina applications because it is durable, low maintenance and resistant to corrosion.
The full gangway design must still account for the site conditions, loading, fixings, connections and expected exposure.
The fixed end of the gangway connects to the land-based structure, while the lower end uses rollers and guides to accommodate the movement of the floating pontoon.
This allows the gangway to move as the water level changes while controlling sideways movement.
Yes. Manson Engineering can manage gangway projects from design and engineering through to fabrication, delivery and installation.
Keeping these stages within one team helps maintain consistency between the design, manufactured structure and final site installation.
Manson Engineering works with marina owners, port operators, councils, developers, consultants, engineers, architects, main contractors and project managers.
Our team can become involved during early planning or work from an existing design and project specification.
Yes. Gangways can be designed with handrails, side barriers, decking and other features to suit the project requirements.
These details can be developed around public access, safety, appearance, loading and the surrounding marina infrastructure.
Manson Engineering can provide design and engineering support, fabrication documentation, quality records and other project information required for the agreed scope.
The exact documentation package should be confirmed at the start of the project.
Manson marina gangways come with a standard 10-year warranty. The applicable warranty terms and project-specific requirements should be confirmed as part of the quotation and contract documentation.
RECENT PROJECTS
Planning a marina gangway project?
Talk to Manson Engineering about standard or custom gangway solutions for marinas, ports, ferry terminals and waterfront infrastructure.
