The Dockmaster Pontoon is a state-of-the-art heavy duty pontoon system suitable for berthing large yachts, ferries and support vessels. Dockmaster has now become the pontoon of choice for the UK windfarm industry and has been installed in several harbours for personnel craft. Dockmaster can be supported on piled or anchored moorings.

Beckett Rankine has developed designs for the Dockmaster, working closely with the client and production teamto include refinements as required. Strength is provided by stressing the precast concrete side panels against the expanded polystyrene buoyancy block and all tied together with the concrete deck.

A new passenger landing pier was called for in the lower reaches of the River Thames to give river access close to the major urban regeneration at the historic Woolwich Arsenal. Here the old buildings have been converted and transformed into desirable residential accommodation with a significant focus on the River.

Beckett Rankine have designed the pier and its canting brow access bridge together with locating piles. The location is more exposed than the sheltered upper reaches of the river making it necessary for stronger structural designs including collision loading on the bridge.

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Riverside Quarter is part of the regeneration of the southern bank of the River Thames converting a brownfield site into new residential properties with modern riverside facilities with boathouses and a riverbus service. The old river walls restrain the tidal river flow and also form part of the flood defences along the River Thames.

Beckett Rankine are involved in condition surveys of the river walls and have designed works to strengthen and enhance these traditional masonry structures. Environmental issues have been considered and mitigation measures include new barges for birds to nest and roost.

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The Thames-side barge wharf at Rainham had been constructed following the Second World War using some of the floating roadway units that had returned from the Mulberry Harbour. Facilities at the wharf needed to be modernised to accommodate large self-discharge dredgers. The imported gravel is much needed for construction.

Beckett Rankine inspected the marine facilities and designed strengthening to the existing dolphins. New dolphins were also designed to support a replacement pontoon and a new conveyor system. A check was carried out on the flood wall in the area of the new stockyard.

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A large residential complex is being developed at St George Wharf near Vauxhall Bridge in London. A passenger pier for river craft was included in the local authority planning agreement. This is part of the Transport for London initiative which includes using the River Thames as an important link in the overall public transport system.

Beckett Rankine have planned and designed the new pier and will supervise its construction. This work has included site investigations, hydraulic model study, environmental analysis as well as submitting applications for approvals from all relevant authorities.

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The former Shell Oil terminal in the lower reaches of the Thames Estuary is to be redeveloped as a deep water port. Its close proximity to London and the motorway network makes this a good site for a substantial container terminal. P& O ports worked with Jacobs Shipping to include a roll-on, roll-off freight terminal.

Beckett Rankine prepared a masterplan for the roll-on, roll-off terminal as the first part of the development. This included outline design of ferry berths with pontoon and linkspan bridges to accommodate the six metre tidal range, together with shoreside facilities.

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With the improvement of much of Plymouth's waterside property over the last ten years, the City Council planned to provide a public transport link between strategic locations around this extensive harbour. These sites included Mounbatten and historic Royal William Yard. Plymouth City submitted a bid for a millennium grant.

Beckett Rankine prepared outline designs for the passenger ferry terminals at four new locations around the harbour. We also prepared a specification for the passenger ferry vessels for use on these routes. Costings were calculated for both the shore and waterbourne infrastructure.

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A new steel floating breakwater structure has been installed to give all year shelter from waves at Falmouth Yacht Harbour. While protected from offshore storm waves, the marina is exposed to wind driven waves generated across the 3 km fetch within Falmouth Bay. Craft can now remain at their berths throughout the winter season.

Beckett Rankine advised the client on the procurement of the floating breakwater units and carried out a technical audit of the designs. Our work also included design of moorings using large stud linked chain and high performance anchors buried in the sea bed.

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A new state-of-the-art lifeboat station has been constructed within the protected waters of the historic Ramsgate Royal Harbour. In keeping with RNLI policy an architecturally attractive building was needed. The building had to provide accommodation for crews and enable quick and easy access to both inshore and offshore lifeboats.

Beckett Rankine designed and supervised construction of the sub-structure, which was a reinforced concrete platform supported on steel tubular piles. Our work also included close liaison with the architects to provide all the engineering input to the building superstructure.

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A new Roll-on Roll-off freight ferry service between Southampton and the French terminal at Radicatel has started operation. Vessels carry accompanied and unaccompanied road trailers and containers on this new route which fills a gap in the market. This overnight crossing will save the users considerable driving time.

Beckett Rankine have managed the project, masterplanning the terminals, undertaking the outline design of the new facilities and preparing the contract documents for the new linkspan at Radicatel. This fast track project was completed on time and to budget.

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