MDL MARINA CONSULTANCY DELIVERS CUSTOMISED PONTOON
MDL Marina Consultancy, a division of MDL Marinas (the official UK marina partner for Land Rover BAR), is delighted to have project managed the design and construction of a high specification customised pontoon to complement the Land Rover BAR team’s innovative new headquarters.
The new pontoon offers the Land Rover BAR team access to first-class facilities and essential access to the Solent while the team are training in the UK and competing in the UK leg of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series.
The team’s expertise in providing specialist marina advice and solutions meant MDL Marina Consultancy was ideally suited to oversee the pontoon’s development. The project commenced in 2014 when the team worked with Land Rover BAR to scope their requirements.
The team managed a full consultation with all stakeholders involved in its licensing, construction and use. MDL Marina Consultancy worked with a number of parties to ensure there was compliance with legislation, and allay any environmental, technical and operational concerns with the first-class pontoon.
Manufactured by Walcon Marine, the MDL-branded pontoon has been created with the highest quality materials, including continuous concrete flotation and beautiful sustainably-sourced hardwood decking. Strong attention to detail extends to the MDL logo embedded in the deck boards with a CNC machine – a first for the industry. The pontoon is fully serviced with water and electricity and lit with stainless steel lighting, recessed into the deck.
A lot of consideration had to be given to the use of the pontoon and the project addressed any challenges to ensure it did not impede navigation to surrounding berths or impact the active ferry port. The consultancy team also had to assess the challenges of the environment due to its exposed position which can get choppy. As a result, the pontoon uses heavier and longer than usual mooring pile sections and has been designed so that it flattens out the sea in adverse weather conditions.
The installation commenced in May to fit with the base construction site logistics. The entire build was carried out from the sea, including all material deliveries. The project was completed in a record three weeks – just in time for the Land Rover BAR team to sail one of the AC 45 catamarans into the base and moor up alongside the new pontoon – marking the beginning of the team’s work out of their new Portsmouth base.
Alex Beere, Head of Consultancy at MDL Marina Consultancy, commented: “In supporting Land Rover BAR, this has been a particularly exciting project for our consultancy team. Managing projects of this kind, from conceptualisation through to delivery, is what we do best. It’s great to have been able to make a significant contribution towards the team’s campaign.”
David Powys, Land Rover BAR Base Manager, commented: “The pontoon created by MDL Marina Consultancy is truly excellent. It complements our innovative new base, providing essential access to the Solent for team training.”
The pontoon was completed by the MDL Marina Consultancy team as part of a six-year deal with MDL Marinas to become Land Rover BAR’s Official UK Marina Partner.
