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HPC Fixed Point Frames
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NSH Pontoon Package – HMNB Clyde
Following the award of a £2.5 million, nine-month contract from Graham Construction, Cairnhill was appointed to deliver four modular floating pontoons at the client’s base location. The scope covered full design, fabrication, surface treatment, testing, delivery, and installation, with final assembly, painting, and trials completed at Cairnhill’s Renfrew facility.
OVERVIEW
Cairnhill were engaged by Graham Construction to supply, fabricate, test, deliver, and install four identical and interchangeable pontoons for the floating quay at HMNB, Faslane.
The CLIENT
Graham Construction is a UK-based organisation that specialises in construction management, civil engineering, facilities management, and investment.
Following the award of a £2.5 million, 9-month contract from Graham Construction, Cairnhill was tasked with the supply, fabrication, surface treatment, FAT testing, delivery, and installation of four floating pontoons for deployment at the client’s base location. The structures were designed to be identical and modular, allowing for segmented transport to external paint facilities for partial coating. Final welding, painting, testing, and full trial assembly were then completed at our Renfrew facility.
Each pontoon measured 10.7m (L) x 5.8m (W) x 1.7m (H) and was outfitted with protective fenders, mooring bollards, and sub-water anode arrangements. The hulls were accessed via watertight hatches, with internal compartments constructed to uniform specifications. Ballast was added in the form of bagged steel punching to provide flotation stability. Protective coating systems were applied both internally and externally, including a non-slip top deck finish.
All structures were fully sealed, air-tested, and certified with inspections witnessed by both Lloyd’s Register and our client. From the slipway, the pontoons were transferred via crane into the White Cart River, thereafter, sailing in pairs to their final destination for inspection and installation. Involving the coordination of various safety vessels, the interchangeable pontoon units were pinned together for transportation using 60mm diameter super-duplex pinned joints. Precision-machined hinges ensure dimensional accuracy and ease of installation.
