Can Lasman do scaffolding? – Yes, but this is for a boat, a big boat!

by Lasman Press Unit | 3rd February, 2026 | Uncategorised

RSS Discovery was built in Dundee in 1901.The vessel, the first purpose-built ship of its kind designed for scientific research, allowing access to what was then largely an untouched continent to record discoveries such as the Cape Crozier emperor penguin colony, the Antarctic plateau – where the South Pole is located – and many new marine species.

It was built by the Dundee Shipbuilders Company. The yard had built the Terra Nova, purchased by Scott for his last expedition, in 1884. The total cost for the Discovery was £51,000, equivalent to £4.1m in modern currency.

The ship has a massively built wooden hull designed to withstand being frozen into pack ice and resist crushing. At the time of her launch, Discovery was widely held to be the strongest wooden ship ever built. The hull frames, placed much closer together than was normal, were made of solid sections of oak up to 11 in (28 cm) thick. The outer hull was formed from two layers – one 6 in (15 cm) thick and an outer skin some 5 in (13 cm) thick. A third lining was laid inside the frames, forming a double bottom and skin around the entire hull. This meant that in places the hull was over 2 ft (61 cm) thick, providing not only formidable strength but excellent insulation against the cold. The wood used for the planking varied depending on where in the ship it was laid and what structural purpose it served.

Despite the quality of the various woods used Father Time has had its effect. Timber deterioration is now evident in many areas across the ship particularly in the hulls three layers.

This left the renovation team with a problem. Whilst repairs to the deck and interior areas were easily accessible, the hull was another matter. The scale of repairs ruled out using platforms dropped from the deck. It was agreed that the best approach was to use scaffolding.

Fine in theory but in practise how do you apply scaffolding to a hull that curves both vertically and horizontally?

This complex, challenging problem was handed to Lasman’s Technical Department. After a few on site trials in drydock, drawings were prepared which allowed for the most ergonomic and practical way to position the scaffolding. A successful outcome, where our scaffolding structure ensured access to all areas requiring renewal of essential timbers.