Wave exposure
Separate:
- local wind waves
- ocean swell penetration
- ferry wake
- ski/wakeboat wake
- reflected waves from seawalls
- storm waves
Wave height alone is not enough. Period, direction, fetch and pontoon natural response affect comfort and loads.
Current
Current acts on:
- pontoon underwater area
- piles and guides
- moored vessel hulls
- debris trapped on the structure
A vessel can transmit current loads through mooring lines into the pontoon. For catamarans, houseboats and ferries, projected area can matter as much as displacement.
Flood
Critical questions:
- maximum flood level
- rate of rise/fall
- current velocity
- pile top elevation
- gangway behaviour
- debris loading
- bank erosion
- whether pontoon can escape the piles
- secondary restraint
Cyclone regions
Northern WA, NT and QLD projects should explicitly address the applicable wind region, storm tide, debris and operational cyclone plan. "Cyclone area" cannot be solved only by thicker aluminium. The complete system includes piles/anchors, gangway, shore structure, vessel evacuation and water level range.