Specializing in sailboat refits, PSL Gréement works every week on the masts of the finest catamarans and monohulls in the dry port of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. To carry out its work at height, the company – rather atypical in its sector – has chosen to use a Haulotte aerial work platform. A solution that combines safety, autonomy and efficiency, as Hugo Verde, the company manager, explains.
A trade of passion and precision
PSL Gréement is a three-person family business: Hugo Verde, his father and his partner. They bought the company five years ago, specializing in nautical rigging.
« We handle general refits of sailboat masts, as well as the sale of sails, fittings… everything that makes a sailboat maneuverable and safe at sea, » explains Hugo Verde. This maintenance work is mainly aimed at owners of boats between 12 and 17 meters, with a strong focus on catamarans.
Safety first: the aerial work platform as a solution
Work at height, such as mast inspections or parts replacement, used to be carried out using a harness. A method now relegated to second place by Hugo: « I used to climb the masts with a rope and a climbing harness, but you can’t always see the condition of the rope… I’ve sometimes discovered a damaged rope at the top of the mast. Since then, I’ve always preferred the basket. »
Using the basket ensures optimum safety:
« It’s my equipment, I maintain it, I know what condition it’s in. And above all, I can work alone, without waiting for a colleague to belay me up the mast, » says Hugo.
PSL Gréement uses a 2005 HA32 PX model. This machine is perfectly suited to the needs of the site.
« It’s still in good condition, even if I have to start changing some hoses. What I appreciate most is its stability. It’s heavy, well-balanced, and its automatic levelling system is very useful on the sometimes uneven ground of the port, » explains Hugo Verde.
With its 32-meter working height, it covers 95% of the boats in the park: « At Port-Saint-Louis, we have the largest dry port in Europe. The boats are on the ground, so we can bring the aerial work platform right alongside them. »
How does a rigging inspection work at PSL Gréement?
Find out on there instagram post here ➡️
Technical operations made easy
The work carried out with the aerial work platform is varied: mast inspection, replacement of furlers or one-off interventions on specific parts. Hugo Verde explains how this operation is carried out: « The furlers are technical devices used to furl the headsail. When we replace them, we disconnect a cable that holds the mast in place… We don’t take this kind of risk without ensuring maximum safety. »
Thanks to the aerial work platform, he can also take on board more tools, and work with comfort and precision:
« Sometimes I go up with a complete toolbox, which I can’t do with a harness. And when the wind suddenly picks up, as it often does here, the quick response of the aerial platform makes all the difference. I can get down quickly and safely. »
Among his most memorable interventions, Hugo cites two emblematic projects: « On a Lagoon 560, a large catamaran, I had to replace halyards at the very top of the mast. I was just over 30 meters from the top of the machine. The view over the harbor was breathtaking! He also recalls a recent job on an Outre-Mer 64 Light, « We had to secure the mast with ropes, dismantle the furler (a heavy part) and do everything from the MEWP. It was a complex operation, but much safer that way. »
A rare solution in the sector
While the use of aerial work platforms is slowly being democratized in the nautical world, it remains an uncommon approach, as Hugo observes: « It’s true that it’s original in our business. But here, we have two major dry ports: Port Navy Service, where our aerial platform is based, and Port Napoléon, where I sometimes use the port’s aerial work platform. The port’s crane operators also use a Haulotte 260 PX. »
The example of PSL Gréement shows how adopting lifting solutions can transform practices in unexpected sectors.
« We had an incident last year with another company. A technician got stuck at the top of the mast, the halyard was jammed. They had to call the fire department. That day, I told myself I’d really done the right thing by investing in my own aerial work platform, » explains Hugo.
In addition to having gained greater autonomy in his tasks, Hugo Verde is counting on a faster response time, as well as enhanced safety thanks to the Haulotte HA32 PX, which accompanies him to look after the sailing boats before they embark on their new summer adventures.