Unique ScaffFloat design aids critical Africa infrastructure

Modular pontoon provider ScaffFloat has desiged, manufactured and deployed a custom floating access system to support corrosion protection and maintenance on a major infrastructure project in Tanzania, Africa.

ScaffFloat’s pontoon access system.

The client required an efficient method for workers to access and maintain a long series of newly installed piles, across more than 100 locations, supporting a jetty from shoreline to its terminal almost 1km from the shore. The solution had to be easily and rapidly repositioned, while providing a safe working platform for personnel above water level around the full circumference of each pile.

In collaboration with the customer ScaffFloat designed and built two bespoke, 8m x 3m self-propelled pontoons designed specifically for hoisting. The unique design allowed the units to be secured on either side of the piles. Once in position, workers utilised staging boards across the gap to create a stable, full-enclosure work platform. Crucially, the units could be lowered, moved, and re-hoisted onto the next pile in just a few hours, maximising project efficiency.

Engineering and preparation

Tanzania pier gantry suspended ondeck.

To ensure structural integrity and operational safety, the entire system underwent a comprehensive preparation phase at ScaffFloat’s yard in Cornwall, UK. This included a full trial-build and test run of the hoisting methodology with a simulated deck load.

The methodology was subject to strict verification:

• A Cat 3 Check from Richter verified the structural integrity of the hoisting system.
• An inclination test, verified by a local marine surveyor in Falmouth Harbour,confirmed the stability of the narrow pontoon design.
• A full lift plan and methodology was produced alongside detailed engineering drawings and supply of all necessary lifting gea

Site sign-off

The entire solution, including both self-propelled pontoons and all ancillary equipment, was packed into a standard 40ft shipping container and dispatched directly from Cornwall to the project site in Africa.

Tanzania pier gantry suspended ondeck.

Following arrival, a member of the ScaffFloat team was deployed overseas to manage pontoon assembly, conduct final trials, and provide training to the client’s team as part of a full operational handover. ScaffFloat continues to provide vital remote support as the maintenance project progresses.

“This project perfectly demonstrates the true value of modularity and rapid deployment in complex international civils work,” said Toby Budd, Founder and MD of ScaffFloat. “We didn’t just provide a pontoon, we engineered a bespoke, hoistable marine tool that directly addressed the client’s core challenge of efficient 360-degree access.

“By handling the full package - from engineering verification in Falmouth to the final handover in Africa - we provided a unique, low-risk solution that is solving problems daily. This is a major operations team milestone for ScaffFloat.”