10/09/2025
Time for another big one.
Even though this encapsulation was smaller compared to some of our past projects, it came with its own set of challenges. The location and width made it tricky — that corner at Harwood (Polaris Marine) is notorious for high winds, funnelling either off the harvested cane fields or straight up from the Clarence River.
Nevertheless, this car ferry was encapsulated on time and on budget.
These structures almost defy logic — built from unconventional materials like electrical conduit, bent and spun into large arches to create a moving shell that is both functional and user-friendly. But they demand care: constant ventilation to stay positively charged, no careless cut-outs, and every opening carefully considered.
After completion, our team was buzzing — boasting, high-fiving, celebrating another great job. But the next morning, high winds and an access door left open under the boat created a parachute effect that bent the roof structure.
The good news? The encapsulation withstood days of 20-knot winds after that. And now, our team is back at it, rebuilding the roof with extra strength.
We’ve been building these for many years now… and every one of them fights back. That’s part of the challenge we love.
Harwood Marine
Polaris Marine Group
Sitemax
Sweep Marine Services
