Historic club installs movable rowing pontoon

Marlow Rowing Club at Bisham on the River Thames, UK has invested in a new rowing pontoon to upgrade its launching area, improve access, and increase space for disabled rowers.

The project entailed a complete rebuild of the waterfront of the historic club by removing the old quay and replacing it with a re-profiled and aligned hard standing and quay wall. Inland and Coastal Marina Systems (ICMS) worked with P&D Environmental to create the best solution.
ICMS designed and manufactured the 40m (131ft) x 4m (13ft) low freeboard (150mm/6in) modular rowing pontoon which connects to the quay. It has been specifically designed to accommodate a rowing eight alongside, with oars partially deployed, while still allowing space for wheelchairs to pass along the length of the pontoon for boat access.
Designed with special adaptations to decouple the joints, the individual modules of the pontoon have towing cleats positioned to enable the sections to be detached and transported to other parts of the river to form separate landing stages during major competitions.
“The water’s edge at Marlow Rowing Club was uneven and needed to be replaced prior to installing the club’s new rowing pontoons, providing safe water access for its members,” said ICMS sales manager Jon Challis. “To find the most cost-effective solution for the club, rather than subcontracting we collaborated with P&D Environmental to replace the quayside. Working in this way, we ensured the best possible outcome for Marlow Rowing Club’s members while making tangible savings for the club on the overall project.”
The pontoon is topped with ICMS GRP mini mesh decking to give a more stable, non-slip platform and the gap between pontoon and quay wall has been reduced to improve wheelchair access.
David Plaskitt, who headed the project at the Club, appreciated the fact that the new pontoon was delivered on time and that all was well managed. “It has been well received by our members who appreciate the stability provided by the single rigid pontoon with consistent freeboard, making boat egress simpler and safer for our competitive, adaptive and para rowers alike,” he said.
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