Watertight hatches with wheelchair friendly, flush floor lip?

[crasch]

Does anyone know of a way to create watertight hatches with a flush floor lip that makes it easy for someone who is in a wheelchair to easily cross the threshold? Imagine this hallway with doors at a similar interval, but wide enough and flush with a floor to move a wheel chair down the hall easily.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/303289356136057992/

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[gonzo]

Are you asking about submarine rated watertight doors?

 

[waikikin]

Does anyone know of a way to create watertight hatches with a flush floor lip that makes it easy for someone who is in a wheelchair to easily cross the threshold? Imagine this hallway with doors at a similar interval, but wide enough and flush with a floor to move a wheel chair down the hall easily.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/303289356136057992/

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Hi crasch,
Depends on the duty of the ship, if it needs to retain certification for traveling the ocean that makes it hard.
One simple option is to create ramps purely for this duty & deployed when needed, ramps were used on a ship I look after for trollies with 4.5" shells to be loaded through the passageways, this comes at some effort..
If the vessel is a museum ship in static display then modifications may be allowed so long as they don't compromise curatorial/original fabric governance that might apply to the vessel.
There may be a case for a removable lower coaming to be fabricated from a piece removed or re-fabricated with additions of bolted flanges and or lapped plates bolted, these style of removable structural items are sometimes referred to as a "soft patch"- some competent engineering implied to such modifications very especially if the vessel is to still operate.

Jeff.

 

[gwboats]

An option is to fit sliding watertight doors. We fitted them on the Jubilee Sailing Trust's barque 'Tenacious' when we built her in 2001. They are still going strong and are used by wheelchair users 365 days a year. They also have the advantage of disappearing into the bulkhead lining when open and can be opened/closed locally or remotely in case of emergency.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[Scot McPherson]

Not having done this myself nor being an engineer, my first though would be to cut a slot or kerf into the floor at the doorway for a compression fitting to sit in. This would allow you to seal the bottom part of the door, provide resistance against lateral forces, while allowing for a flush threshold.

 

[Squidly-Diddly]

Do you mean actual "water tight" or just able to resist 99% of a GreenWaterMoment for a few minutes?

Or just really, really splash proof? (major heavy spray hitting one side, rice paper staying dry laying on floor on other side)

Will SOME streamlined threshold be OK, like standard office exterior door plate?


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-E-O-3-3-4-in-x-36-in-Satin-Nickel-Threshold-SN36-36A/204737242

You can also buy a bar that screws onto the side of the door bottom and has a little lever-button that pushes a sealing bar with weatherstrip down into the threshold for better weather seal under spring tension.

Its this a Hardware Store budget project or NASA/custom boat budget?

These are water tight with minimal threshold, like leave water in the tub for a week tight. Sorry I don't remember the aspect of the seals, just that you would stand barefoot on the threshold without discomfort.http://www.discovermymobility.com/s...fUIR7bUCx-Fl4TTjp3QwMB-yioLZyZhPnKxoCHJTw_wcB

I also notice the "walkin tubs" have quite small doors to seal, more like "one leg at a time" rather that "walk".

 

[Ad Hoc]

You should ask Alik, a forum member, he's done work on these type of vessels.

 

[crasch]

Thanks y'all. I'm looking for a door that can be closed to make a water tight chamber in the event of a disaster. It should have the following characteristics:

* Can be closed remotely, in case of emergency
* Can be operated locally by hand
* Fulfills the current requirements in SOLAS regulations such that the door can remain open during navigation. (Not sure which ones those are yet).
* Ideally, made of fiberglass or some other non-corrosive material

The door pictured here looks like it would work for my application:

http://www.gard.no/web/updates/content/20651832/the-dangers-of-power-operated-watertight-doors

(Also attached picture below).

gwboats, do you recall which model/supplier you used for your boat? Your application seems similar to mine.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

 

[waikikin]

As it happens, vessel Tenacious is berthed at work at present, if Graham cant access the records I may be able to check out on board, not sure on their schedule at present - I believe they might be doing day sails/ events during their visit.

Jeff

 

[gwboats]

The watertight sliding doors on 'Tenacious' were supplied by Winel in Assen in Holland. I believe they were the 'Seagull' type but all their doors are semi-custom so there are plenty of options on the basic style that you can choose.

Glad to hear 'Tenacious' is safe and well in Sydney. Have been following her epic voyage round the World with interest.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[crasch]

Many thanks, Graham and Jeff!