As part of a wider replacement programme, we designed, supplied and installed a new pontoon on the existing piles at the entrance to the River Hamble.
| Client | River Hamble Harbour Master |
| Date | November 2025 |
| Where | River Hamble, Southampton |
Following a detailed review to ensure all operational and environmental needs were met, we supplied a heavy-duty pontoon system finished with timber-effect GRC decking. The robust frame offers a secure, year-round mooring solution for both resident and visiting vessels.
The timber-effect GRC decking replicates the appearance of traditional hardwood planks while eliminating the maintenance burden typically associated with timber – a key advantage for a pontoon accessible only by water.
This installation also featured our new polyurea float coating, designed to protect against impact damage from vessels and debris. This coating reduces the risk of punctures or buoyancy loss, extending the service life of the floats and maintaining long-term stability.
Challenges
Although the installation site appears relatively sheltered, the pontoons are in fact exposed to a strong south-westerly fetch and challenging wind-over-tide conditions. Combined with the heavy and varied traffic on the Hamble – from leisure craft to commercial vessels – these environmental and operational factors significantly influenced the design requirements.
Furthermore, because the new pontoons were installed on existing piles, precision fitting was essential. Traditional survey methods could not achieve the required accuracy in such a busy and constrained location. To address this, we used Cloud Cam drone surveying to produce a detailed as-built model of the site, ensuring an exact fit upon delivery.
Given the site constraints, delivery and installation logistics were carefully managed to minimise disruption. We partnered with Williams Shipping, a well-known local marine contractor, to provide the appropriate plant machinery for offloading and towing the pontoons from Southampton to Hamble. Final installation was completed alongside the client’s team, under our supervision, ensuring a smooth handover and a reliable long-term solution.
The upgraded pontoons will benefit the River Hamble Harbour Master and boat owners requiring visiting mooring space, and offer a secure year round, all weather mooring location for a wide range of vessels.
