British Columbia is one of the world's most important aquaculture regions, and the Discovery Islands near Quadra Island are at the heart of BC's salmon farming operations. Every fish farm relies on float systems — the platforms, walkways, and structures that keep workers, equipment, and feed systems above water. Building these systems properly is critical for safety, productivity, and environmental compliance.
Float System Components
A typical fish farm float system includes main float modules made from welded aluminum tube and plate, HDPE or foam-filled flotation chambers sized for the expected loading, aluminum grating or non-skid plate walkways, handrail systems that meet WorkSafeBC requirements, mooring connection points rated for tidal and storm loading, and equipment mounting platforms for feed systems, cameras, and generators. Every component must be designed for the dynamic marine environment — waves, tidal current, wind loading, and biofouling all affect performance.
Material Selection
We build float systems exclusively from marine-grade aluminum, primarily 5086 and 6061-T6 alloys. Steel has no place in a saltwater float system — it rusts too quickly and adds weight where buoyancy is critical. All welding is done with TIG using 5356 filler wire and pure argon shielding. Fasteners are stainless steel or monel to prevent galvanic corrosion. We avoid mixing dissimilar metals wherever possible.
Fabrication Process
Float systems are fabricated in our Quadra Island shop and transported to the farm site by barge. We build modular sections that bolt together on-site, which simplifies transport and allows sections to be removed for maintenance. Each section is pressure-tested for watertight integrity before leaving the shop. Critical welds are visually inspected and, where required, dye-penetrant tested to ensure structural integrity.
Maintenance and Longevity
Even marine-grade aluminum needs regular maintenance to maximize service life. Annual inspections should check for weld cracking, corrosion at fastener points, biofouling accumulation affecting buoyancy, flotation chamber integrity, and wear on walking surfaces. Sacrificial zinc anodes should be checked and replaced as needed. With proper maintenance, an aluminum float system will last 20-plus years in BC waters.
T & C Fabrication has built float systems, pen infrastructure, and marine platforms for aquaculture operations across the Discovery Islands and northern Vancouver Island. Call Ted at 250-202-1643 to discuss your marine fabrication project.
