Gambol Industries was formed in 1992, originally as a yacht builder. Over time, local boat owners began to request custom work and repairs for their boats. Eventually, word spread about their company and ability to create custom work and they expanded into a full service boat yard in 2000. Gambol Industries approached SLIPNOT Metal Safety Flooring to provide slip resistant plate stair treads for transom steps for a pilot boat they were building for Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors.

A pilot boat is used to transport maritime pilots between land and the ships they will be piloting. The transom steps on the back of the vessel needed to be slip resistant. The steps allow the pilots to gain access to the ladders of the ship that they will be piloting. Since these transitions will take place over water, a corrosion resistant surface is mandatory.

Gambol Industries and SLIPNOT worked together to determine the best fit for the needs of the application. Aluminum plates were chosen due to their lightweight properties and natural corrosion resistance. Marine applications favor aluminum products because of these qualities. Gambol Industries provided SLIPNOT with drawings of the treads, showing nosings and areas that needed to be masked. SLIPNOT had six 1 1/2” x 10 ½” x 60” stair treads fabricated to the drawings. They also had a ¼” x 24” x 60” plate fabricated for the landing of the transom steps. The material was coated with the aluminum slip resistant surface and packaged to be shipped to the customer for installation.

The plate and treads were shipped to the customer to be incorporated into the vessel. Once installed, Gambol Industries needed to finish the vessel. They protected the stair treads and plate while painting and fabrication was being completed. Recently, the vessel was completed and it is being prepped for sea trials. Maritime pilots, crew members and anyone who comes into contact with the aluminum treads and plate can count on the slip resistant surface to keep them on their feet in the wet environment found at sea.