2017 May June Marina World

PONTOONS/DOCKS & DECKING
Special build for special needs
Walcon Marine has designed and built a disabled-access pontoon (above) for
Sailability. This Hampshire-based UK charity helps individuals of all ages with
special needs to enjoy dinghy sailing in a safe and supportive environment.
Constructed using Walcon’s
aluminium-framed System 2000
pontoons, the structure has a 13.5m
(44ft) bridge leading out to a 7.5 x 4m
(24 x 13ft) landing stage with an 11.5
x 4m (38 x 13ft) main platform beyond.
a freshwater lake outside Totton,
Southampton, and represents the
creation of a third branch for Sailability.
Testwood Lakes Sailability (TLS) has
taken six years to get started and was
only made possible by donations from
individuals and organisations including
Sainsbury’s and the New Forest branch
of Rotary.
Walcon is experienced in creating
marine access structures to aid those
with special needs. Its Wheelchair
Pontoon is a specially designed and
engineered marine pontoon that gives
the disabled and elderly wheelchair
access into deep water, whether
at swimming pools or in oceans
and lakes. It allows individuals in
wheelchairs to move down a series of
internal ramps fitted within a pontoon
which extends below the surface of the
water.
At the end of the ramp system is a
submerged platform at one side of the
pontoon ramp, from where individuals
can float gently off their submerged
wheelchairs and move ahead into the
water.
Queen’s Award for Dura Composites
UK company Dura Composites has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2017 in the international trade
category as a result of its sustained and impressive international growth.
The Queen’s Awards celebrate the
best of British business and recognise
companies who are making an
outstanding contribution to enterprise.
In winning the award, Dura Composites
joins an impressive list of organisations
that have previously been honoured in
this way, including Dyson, JCB, Jaguar
Land Rover and Siemens.
Each entry is judged by a specialist
panel that makes a recommendation
to the Prime Minister’s Advisory
Committee. Her Majesty the Queen
then decides the winners, who each
receive an official grant of appointment
and an invitation to a celebratory
reception at Buckingham Palace.
Dura Composites was established
in1996 when the company first began
selling glass fibre grating for use as
anti-slip walkways in the marine and
industrial sectors. Over the past 20
years, the product range has expanded
to include glass reinforced plastic trench
covers, profiles, handrails, stair treads
Special features include optimisation
for wheelchair access, detachable
hoists to assist with embarkation and
disembarkation, and safety barriers
around the perimeter.
The pontoon has been built on
The deservedly proud Dura Composites team worked together to earn the company’s
and the market-leading Dura Deck
decking and Dura Cladding made from
low-maintenance composite timber.
Dura Composites managing director,
Stuart Burns, said: “This award
recognises our talented and committed
workforce and comes at a really exciting
prestigious Queen’s Award.
time as we look to the future and
the continued growth of our product
portfolio… everyone at Dura Composites
is immensely proud and honoured to
receive this award, which we are sure
will be a springboard for further success
both in the UK and overseas.”
www.marinaworld.com - May/June 2017 47