Britannica AI Icon

pontoon dock

marine construction

Quick Summary

A pontoon dock is a floating structure that rises and falls with the water level, used for berthing vessels. These docks are anchored or moored and provide access to the shore via a hinged trestle. Docks, in general, are artificially enclosed basins for inspecting and repairing vessels. Historically, they served as dry basins for shipbuilding or wet basins for berthing and cargo transfer. Modern docks include quay walls, piers, wharves, and floating pontoon docks. A pontoon bridge, on the other hand, is a bridge supported by hollow containers filled with air that float on water.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. pontoon bridge
  2. dock
  3. pontoon

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.