Oct 23, 2018
What is Pier and Waterfront Solutions – Part 3
Pier Solutions – that’s an unusual name. But then again, PWS is not your ordinary Pier & Boat Lift Company.
In previous articles, we looked at some of the work we have done to solve customer issues. Today let’s look at still more problems PWS has solved for customers.
Is your embankment so steep it makes it unsafe to access the beach?
PWS solved that issue with a set of aluminum stairs. These come in 4’ and 6’ sections to adjust to changing conditions Handrails are standard equipment for added security.
Aluminum Stairs
PWS also will make wood stairs if you prefer.
Steps with Handrails
A PWS pier solution to meet ADA regulations
With the passage of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), more opportunities for peoples with disabilities opened up. A simple fishing pier is a norm for most people. However, that same pier presents many obstacles & dangers for someone in a wheelchair.
PWS was selected to provide an ADA compliant fishing pier for people with disabilities. Built on a landfill with a man-made lake on top, the changes are apparent right from the shore end.
An access plate allows a wheelchair to roll out safely onto the pier. Rails surround the entire pier. There is also a bumper around the edge to prevent a wheelchair from accidentally slipping off the pier.
Lowered fishing stations and bait rails are strategically placed on the patio area to allow a person in a wheelchair to fish comfortably.
The entire pier stays in the water year round.
Starting the Robl Fishing Pier
Completed Robl Fishing Pier
Fishing Stations
You can count on a PWS pier solution!
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is here year-round to assist you. Don’t forget – Give us a call If you want to see an issue discussed on our site.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com with any questions.
Oct 16, 2018
What is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
In a previous article, the discussion was about some of the less widely known projects that Pier & Waterfront Solutions has undertaken. We do much more than most people realize. We have completed everything from decks, wood or metal stairways down cliffs, rip-rap and more. It all falls under the “Solutions” portion of our name.
This article further expands that article.
Before
In the “Before” photo above, you can see the condition of the railings, the broken walking surface, and rotted and missing timbers around the perimeter. The owners were concerned that someone would trip and injure themselves. They really wanted to enjoy this area again.
After the appropriate DNR permits were obtained, the work began. EVERYTHING was removed. Permit restrictions required that the general outline be followed.
In this “After” photo, the perimeter was replaced with concrete and decorative rails were added. A new concrete surface was installed as part of the renovations. Solar operated lights were placed on the top of the posts.
After
The decorative rails were provided in-house as part of the “Solutions” name.
We are always looking for “winter” work. Call Jerry with your ideas.
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is here year-round to assist you. Don’t forget – Give us a call If you want to see an issue discussed on our site.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com with any questions.
Sep 18, 2018
Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
SOLUTIONS – What does that word mean in the name – Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
Ok, The name implies that we sell, service, install and remove Piers (docks) and boat lifts. But a lot of people do that. Don’t they?
Yes, they do. But it means a whole lot more when you talk about Pier & Waterfront Solutions. Why? Because we are more than Piers (Docks) and Boat Lifts. What else do we do?
Want to enjoy the outdoors more?
If the answer is YES – Pier & Waterfront Solutions is the right place to be. Just pick up the phone and call us.
Did you know, we also build Decks – attached or freestanding by the water.
We also create some very unusual Stairs to access the shoreline and those Piers and Boat Lifts we talked about.
Stairs looking down the cliff
How about this one? Looks simple enough – Right!? A nice straight set of stairs- what’s the big deal?
Stairs and deck built over a cliff
Truthfully, anyone can create a set of stairs. But can they do it while suspended over a cliff? How about a deck suspended in the air? Not too shabby. Wait a minute – it’s getting a little more complicated now.
New Stairs down a cliff
The stairs are so long, we had to include platforms on the way down so you can rest. Do those stairs ever quit?
Makes you wonder how they get the docks and lifts down there. But we do!
Now, do you understand why we use “Solutions” in our name?
Where is Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
PWS is located at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is here year-round to assist you. Don’t forget – Give us a call If you want to see an issue discussed on our site.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com with any questions.
Sep 4, 2018
Electrical Shock Drowning ESD – Part 2
Electrical Shock Drowning or ESD was discussed in Part one of this series. Part 2 will get into more detail about this infrequent but deadly situation.
There are two potential failures in a boat’s electrical system that put people on or around the boat at risk. In a properly functioning system, the same amount of AC flows in the hot and neutral wires.
Properly Functioning Circuit
Images courtesy of Boat U.S. http://www.boatus.com/
Happens when a wire or appliance leaks power?
Electricity may “leak” from it’s intended path in these two wires to ground. This condition is called a ground fault. A good example of this is an insulation failure in the wiring of an appliance. Notice the microwave (or any appliance using A.C. power) with the ground fault. This condition will result in a mild electric current in the water which will potentially paralyze a person in the water.
Electrical Fault with Functioning Ground
What happens when there is a leak in the ground wire?
A faulty ground occurs when the grounding path breaks through a loose or broken wire. For instance, a shore power cord ground wire may fail due to constant motion and stress.
Electrical Fault + safety ground fault = Danger
When these two conditions occur at the same time, the results may be tragic. The combination of a ground fault and a faulty ground results in metal parts in the boat and under water becoming energized. People on board the boat are likely to receive a shock from touching energized metal parts.
When this happens, a person swimming near the boat will be electrocuted immediately.
A Coast Guard sponsored study showed numerous instances of electrical leakage causing drowning or potential drowning even though the shock did not result in death.
What can prevent this from happening?
ELCIs (Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupters) and the more familiar GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) are part of a larger family of devices. These devices measure current flow in the hot and neutral wires. They immediately switch the electricity off when an imbalance of current flow is detected. ELCIs and GFCIs that are also Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCBO) provide overcurrent tripping protection also.
GFCIs are used as branch circuit ground fault protection at the 5mA threshold in wet environments. GFCIs protect against flaws in devices plugged into them but offer no protection from the danger of a failing hard-wired appliance, such as a water heater or cooktop.
An ELCI provides additional whole-boat protection. Installed as required within 10′ of the shore power inlet, an ELCI provides 30mA ground fault protection for the entire AC shore power system beyond the ELCI. ABYC regulations still require the use of GFCIs in environments described above.
Thanks to Blue Sea Systems for the information in this article. For more on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from electrical shock drowning, go to the BoatU.S Electric Shock Drowning Resource Center.
Where is PWS?
PWS is located in the center of Door County at 7325 St Hwy 57. It is located 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the intersection of Idlewild Road.
Want us to address a dock or boat lift topic for you? Feel free to give us a call.
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
Apr 17, 2018
Ice Shoves have stalled the Spring Install Season
Ice shoves have stalled the Spring Install season.
Mother Nature has proven to be a real challenge in 2018. PWS was able to complete a few installs when winter returned with a vengeance!
Instead of a beautiful Wisconsin Spring as we had the last couple of years, the Door County peninsula got 10″ of wet, heavy snow. These events were followed by temperatures near freezing and even MORE snow!
Instead of this:
Relaxing on the dock
We see this:
2018 Ice Shove on Sun & Surf
LOOKING BACK
In 2016 we saw a few ice shoves like this:
Spring 2016 Ice Shove
Then, in 2017 we saw this:
Spring – 2017 Ice Shove
TODAY – we see the SAME boat house with an even bigger ice shove.
2018 Arrowhead Beach – Crushing a boathouse
It did not fare well as you can see.
2018 Crushed boathouse on Arrowhead Beach
The ice has heavily damaged this home even though there was a seawall and more than 100 feet between the house and shoreline. We won’t even talk about the trees and seawall damage occurring all along this stretch.
Ice shove lifting a deck and crushing a house
Ice shoves, caused by strong winds, are damaging sea walls and landscaping, That is not to mention, the docks and lift equipment stored on shore. The ice shoves are happening up and down the peninsula. See our previous article if you are not familiar with this phenomena. https://wisconsinpws.com/ice-shove/
What to expect in 2018
IF and WHEN the weather improves, the forecast for this year is to have up to an additional 10″ of water depth. There is still lots of snow in Northern Wisconsin and more coming. The snow will eventually melt and the Spring rains will come. (If we even have a Spring)
As of this publication date, the inland lakes and Bay of Green Bay are locked in ice. More near zero temperatures and heavy snow are in the forecast.
Is PWS ready?
Our trucks, trailers and All Terrain Forklifts are ready to go. Even our crews are getting anxious to start. They have a lot of work to do and not much time to do it. Even with additional crews and overtime, it is a real challenge this year.
Everybody is waiting for the ice to go out and stay out. Some areas open up in the morning. Then, later in the day the wind shifts and the ice comes back in the same location.
Bear with us and we will keep you informed in future posts.
Where can you find Pier & Waterfront Solutions?
We are located in the center of the Door County Peninsula at 7325 St. Hwy 42/57. That’s 1 mile North of County MM (Hwy 42) and 3 miles South of Sturgeon Bay. Look for the Idlewild Road intersection.
Our staff is always ready to serve your needs.
Don’t forget – Give us a call If you have a dock or boatlift topic you would like to see addressed on our site,
Call Jerry at 920-493-4404 or Email Jerry@wisconsinpws.com for more information.
