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TPA Pontoons are the Star of a Unique Show

14 Oct

Access provider’s VersaDock system provides a temporary marina at ExCel.

The pontoons from specialist access provider TPA have helped the world’s leading defence and security equipment exhibition double the size of its temporary marina.

TPA was called back as sole pontoon supplier by Clarion Events, organisers of the bi-annual DSEI exhibition at London’s ExCel, to supply the modular marina for this year’s show (September 10-13) after a successful installation in 2017.

The show connects governments, national armed forces, industry thought leaders and the global defence and security supply chain on an unrivalled scale. The marina is a key element of the Naval Zone, an interactive showcase of the latest vessels and maritime technology, which is fully supported by the Royal Navy and First Sea Lord.

The distinctive dockside setting delivers a dazzling showcase of maritime capabilities and international warships including the opportunity to see the industry’s latest vessels in action through interactive presentations and waterborne demonstrations.

This year the marina was twice as big and a total of 440m2 of TPA’s VersaDock system was required for the bespoke layout which comprised a 75m by 2m main walkway off which ran eight “finger” jetties between 10 and 15m long and 6.5m to 8m apart.

The pontoon units were supplied complete with integrated cleats and fenders to accommodate the different display vessels from UK and northern European companies, as well as a 4m aluminium roller gangway with handrails to give guests access from the quayside onto the main walkway.

The pontoons and equipment were transported and installed using Hiab wagons to lift the pre-built sections into the water where they were linked together into the unique layout by a four-man crew over two days.

Paul Robinson of Clarion Events, a former senior naval officer, said: “I was very keen to have a single provider and TPA installed it for us for the first time in 2017 and it was very successful.
 
“This year was a huge installation because we had more customers interested in putting their boats on the
water but even so we have been absolutely delighted with the construction. It was first class. TPA are a very good team. They have been extremely responsive and adaptable so there were no big issues.”

TPA’s VersaDock pontoons are the only float system on the market that are NATO codified for use in military installations in a variety of applications. In addition, the floats have more plastic in them than any other similar product, with a wall thickness of 8mm minimum. They have also been re-engineered to give a stronger radius around the lugs and feature the latest technology in pin and nut moulds which has added an extra tonne in loading to each, massively strengthening the whole platform.

TPA Pontoons are the Star of a Unique Show