After several months of intensive activity Walcon Marine has completed the first phase of the rebuilding of the marina at Yarmouth Harbour. Finished on schedule for its planned reopening in time for the Easter holiday, the project involved the redesign of the previous layout to provide more fullfacility, walk-ashore pontoons for resident and visiting yachts and required both the moving of existing piles and pontoons, and the installation of new berthing infrastructure.
Over 400 metres of pontoons were moved to new positions, and another 200 metres were added to create new capacity.
Walcon’s System 21 pontoon design was chosen by the client, Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners, for its proven durability and flexibility, and fitted out with water, power and low level lighting. A new bridge head and access bridge were also installed.
Walcon Marine is delighted to have become the first marina manufacturer in the UK to use Kebony decking material. Fitted to the new finger pontoons at Yarmouth Harbour, the environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional tropical hardwood decking uses an impregnation process to infuse temperate woods with a patented mixture derived from agricultural waste that strengthens and stabilises the wood fibres. The result is a decking that is high in density, has excellent durability and requires minimal maintenance. Physically it looks and feels very similar to teak, has the same non-slip properties and, if left untreated, acquires an attractive silver patina over time.
“We’re very pleased to have worked alongside Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners and Kebony to introduce this new material to the UK marina community,” said Walcon Marine’s commercial director, Clive Kemp. “We believe that Kebony will prove to be the hardwood substitute for which we have been searching that combines all the benefits of traditional materials with the sustainability for which so many of our customers look. The 25 year guarantee that they have given for this project also demonstrates the confidence that they have in their own product.”
Chris Lisher, Harbour Master and Chief Executive of Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners, added, “We are delighted to be opening the new facility in Yarmouth on time for Easter. We have found working with John Donald and his team from Walcon an easy process; when there have been problems they have supplied alternatives or solutions. They take great pride in their work from top to bottom of their company, just as we all take great pride in Yarmouth Harbour. Although Kebony is a new product, all the research and testing that has been done over the years makes us confident that this new material will work.”