Boarding & Water Access
Hydraulic and mechanical swim ladders, platform stairs, and boarding systems for safe, comfortable access to and from the water. Retractable, configurable, and invisible when not in use.
Safe and reliable boarding in any condition
Our hydraulic swim ladders, platform stairs, and boarding systems retract completely when not in use, preserving your vessel's clean lines while providing instant, secure access to the water.
Products
Hydraulic swim ladders, platform stairs, and retractable boarding systems for safe water access.
Engineering Partnership
H+B technics works as a systems supplier directly with shipyards, naval architects, and project teams. We don't deliver components from a catalogue, we engineer hydraulic tender handling, boarding access, and space-on-board systems that integrate with your hull structure, your hydraulic layout, and your build schedule.
From the first GA drawing to the final commissioning at the quay, our engineering team is your single point of contact: CAD integration, hydraulic schematics, structural calculations, and pre-assembled delivery, function-tested before it leaves Münster.
Jan Olfenbüttel
Head of Sales & Marketing
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about water access and boarding systems.
H+B technics offers hydraulic swim ladders, mechanical swim ladders that operate without electricity, the Ascender full-width step platform, the Ocean Access combined tender handling and boarding system, and the Hydraulic Platform Ladder with auto-close cassette. Each system is individually configured for the vessel.
The hydraulic variant deploys independently at the push of a button regardless of platform position. The mechanical variant is coupled to the swim platform through a linkage and operates without any electrical components. The hydraulic offers more flexibility, while the mechanical requires zero electrical maintenance.
Safety for all ages is a core design principle. The Ascender provides a full-width, gently angled staircase with self-levelling steps. All swim ladders have non-slip tread surfaces. Every system is load-rated and structurally calculated for safe use under dynamic sea conditions.
Yes. Most access systems require only structural mounting points and sufficient depth beneath the platform for the retractable cassette. No hull modification or engine relocation is typically required. Our engineering team confirms feasibility from your drawings before fabrication.
Minimal. The electropolished stainless steel construction requires only fresh water rinsing after saltwater exposure. Hydraulic components are inspected during the vessel's standard service interval. The Mechanical Swim Ladder has no electrical components and therefore no electrical maintenance at all.
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Boarding Access That Works When Conditions Don’t
Calm water, flat platform, dry hands — boarding is trivial. Swell at anchor, wet platform, guests returning from a swim — boarding becomes the moment safety matters most. H+B technics designs water access systems for the second scenario. Every ladder, step, and platform is engineered to perform reliably when conditions are difficult, not just when they are easy.
Two Swim Ladder Philosophies: Hydraulic and Mechanical
The Hydraulic Swim Ladder deploys from a stainless steel cassette at the push of a button, independent of platform position. The Mechanical Swim Ladder uses a direct kinematic link to the platform — it extends as the platform lowers and retracts as it rises. No electronics, no maintenance cycle, no failure mode. Both designs disappear completely beneath the platform surface when stowed.
Full-Width Access: Ascender and Ocean Access
The Ascender replaces the traditional ladder with a full-width staircase whose treads self-level regardless of platform angle. It transforms the swim platform from a launching surface into a comfortable, safe entry point. The Ocean Access goes further — a rotation platform that combines tender handling and guest boarding in a single system with sensor-monitored position control and hydraulic locking at every angle.
Platform Ladders for Deep Cassette Integration
The Hydraulic Platform Ladder retracts into a compact cassette with an automatic closing lid. Multiple step configurations cover the full range from platform to waterline. Removable handrails at the upper steps provide additional grip for returning swimmers. The swing range accommodates varying hull geometries without custom fabrication.
Individual Configuration from Vessel Drawings
No access system leaves Münster without being matched to the vessel’s GA drawing. Step count, cassette depth, mounting geometry, and hydraulic integration are defined during the engineering phase. All components manufactured from electropolished marine-grade stainless steel, function-tested, and shipped ready to install.
