A pontoon doesn't have to be just a place to tie up the boat. That's the message coming out of the UK ahead of this year's Southampton International Boat Show, where marina infrastructure specialist Inland and Coastal will showcase some unlikely uses for the humble floating platform, including growing oysters and sheltering seaweed.
The company returns to the show, running 18 to 27 September, sharing stand H208 in the New Wave Hall with The Yacht Harbour Association.
Top of the list this year is an oyster reef pontoon, developed on behalf of Ulster Wildlife as a floating platform to help restore native oyster populations. It's a simple concept on paper: build a pontoon that still does its job mooring boats, but design it so oysters can colonise it too, adding habitat rather than just taking up space on the water.
A similar idea sits behind the Living Seawalls panels also on display. These can be incorporated into harbour walls to create a haven for invertebrates, seaweeds, small fish and other marine fauna.
Durability gets a look-in too. The firm is showcasing its Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) pontoon decking, designed to withstand the demanding conditions found in marine environments and offering a durable, low-maintenance surface with excellent resistance to wear.
Jon Challis, Head of Business Development at Inland and Coastal, says: "Pontoons have traditionally been viewed primarily as infrastructure for accessing and mooring boats, but there is so much more that can be achieved with a well-designed system. From supporting oyster reef restoration and creating additional marine habitat to providing a highly durable surface that can withstand the demands of a busy marina, we're increasingly seeing opportunities to make waterfront infrastructure work harder. SIBS is a great opportunity to demonstrate what is possible and talk to customers about how these ideas could work within their own projects."
Inland and Coastal will again sponsor the daily exhibitor drinks at the TYHA stand, along with daily hub talks on a variety of topics for marina professionals and the wider boating community. The company's own hub talk is set for Tuesday 22 September, focusing on how innovative pontoon design can help marinas deliver greater value from their waterfront infrastructure.
Throughout the show, the Inland and Coastal team will be on hand to discuss projects ranging from marina expansions and new developments to the addition of Living Seawalls panels and upgrades to existing pontoon systems.
There's also a GRC bar on the stand, where visitors can enjoy a cold Guinness while discussing their pontoon requirements with the team.
