Patent ID: 8387192

Claim:
A shore-to-gangway access system for use on a variable level body of water, the system comprising: a gangway supporting structure with longitudinal edges configured to enable slideable movement, where the gangway supporting structure is affixed to the shore; and a slider assembly affixed near a proximal end of a moveable gangway structure, where the slider assembly is affixed to the moveable gangway structure using at least a means for swiveling, where the slider assembly includes a pivoting unit, runner plate, and cam followers configured to make slideable contact with the longitudinal edges of the gangway supporting structure and keep the runner plate mounted to the gangway supporting structure, where a distal end of the moveable gangway structure contacts a floating structure and the moveable gangway structure does not include a separate floatation device; a motorized assembly to automate longitudinal movement of the moveable gangway structure relative to the gangway supporting structure; and a water detection sensor located near a proximal end of the moveable gangway structure, where the water detection sensor is configured to activate a motor in the motorized assembly in response to the sensor detecting water.