Delivering a bespoke heavy-duty passenger pontoon for one of the Channel Islands’ most challenging tidal environments.
| Client | Guernsey Ports |
| Date | May 2026 |
| Where | St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands |
We designed, manufactured and delivered a bespoke self-levelling pontoon system for Guernsey Ports’ new X Berth facility, creating safe and efficient passenger access for a 245-passenger vessel operating in a location with tidal ranges approaching 10 metres.
As part of a wider harbour improvement scheme designed by Marina Projects, Guernsey Ports required a specialist floating berth capable of accommodating a large passenger vessel with a gross tonnage of 322 tonnes.
The berth needed to safely manage high volumes of passenger traffic embarking and disembarking throughout the day, while operating reliably within one of the most demanding tidal environments in the British Isles.
“The replacement of the X berth has given us the opportunity to review how the current arrangements can be improved,” says James Way, Acting Harbour Master at Guernsey Ports. “In addition to better access for passengers and crew, the new facilities will provide on-shore power for berthed vessels, and the installation of a new turnstile gate, making the berth available for superyachts to come alongside.”
The project presented several significant engineering challenges.
The site experiences tidal variations of approximately 10 metres, making conventional access solutions unsuitable. Space restrictions within the harbour also created tight design constraints, limiting the options available for connecting the floating berth to the quayside.
In addition, the pontoon geometry required a sharp angled design to align correctly with the berthing arrangement, demanding an exceptionally high level of precision during both design and construction to ensure the structure floated evenly and performed as intended.
The solution
Working closely with Marina Projects and Guernsey Ports, we developed a bespoke self-levelling concrete pontoon specifically engineered to accommodate high live loads generated by large passenger movements.
Given the site’s tidal conditions and restricted footprint, articulated access stairs were identified as the only practical solution for maintaining safe access throughout the tidal cycle. The stairs were specially designed to operate effectively across the full tidal range while maintaining user safety and comfort.
To improve accessibility, the stair structure also incorporates an assisted access feature for wheelchair users. A hinged flap system can be deployed over the stair treads to create a smooth surface, helping improve accessibility where traditional gangway solutions were not feasible.
Ramped access arrangements were incorporated at the vessel interface, enabling safe and efficient passenger movements between the pontoon and vessel.
Specialist floating foam-filled fenders were also installed to minimise berthing impacts. These were carefully selected and designed to accommodate a range of vessel types with differing operational requirements, providing flexibility for future harbour operations.
Collaborative design
A key aspect of the project’s success was the close collaboration between our engineering team, Marina Projects and Guernsey Ports, which required extensive coordination throughout the design process to ensure compatibility between the pontoon system and the mooring infrastructure.
The complexity of the project extended beyond design and engineering. Due to the size and weight of the pontoon sections, transporting the completed structure from our manufacturing facility in Ireland to Guernsey required a bespoke logistics strategy.
We chartered a dedicated vessel to transport the pontoons, loading the units individually before securing them on deck for the crossing to Guernsey. The delivery operation was completed over three separate voyages, with the pontoons subsequently offloaded and installed using mobile cranes on site.
“This project showcased the importance of collaboration and bespoke engineering,” says Vincent Carey, Senior Commercial at Inland and Coastal. “The combination of high passenger loads, restricted site conditions and a tidal range of almost 10 metres meant every aspect of the design had to be carefully considered. From the pontoon geometry through to accessibility and installation logistics, the result is a highly effective solution that will serve Guernsey Ports for many years to come.”
The completed X Berth facility now provides Guernsey Ports with a robust, future-proof passenger access solution capable of safely accommodating high passenger volumes in a challenging operational environment.
