BC Ferries Quathiaski Cove Docking Pontoon
Marine Structures
The new Quathiaski Cove terminal was designed to use existing components that were left over from the old Bear Cove terminal. The main components, pontoon, ramp, and apron, had to be reworked to suit the new design. The biggest challenge of the project was getting the existing steel components onto dry land to carry out the addition and modification work.
Modified ferry fenders. These fenders were trimmed, split, and then welded back together for a new dock configuration. You can see the inner channel structure welds dusted for testing before the cover strip is installed. December 4, 2009 
Fabrication of turning fender. December 30, 2009 Old floating pontoon from Bear Cove with ramp about to begin its transformation. January 4, 2010 Building new pontoon additional bulkheads in shop. January 12, 2010 
The ramp and pontoon were towed to the Esquimalt Graving Dock where the 150 tonne crane was used to lift the ramp off. The ramp was blocked on shore for steel modifications and the addition of a pedestrian walkway. January 21, 2010 
Moving the pontoon additions into the paint shed for painting. January 29, 2010 The pontoon being hauled out. Note that the port side cradle catwalk had to be removed (you can see the bolt holes on the deck) to accommodate the pontoon width. Also note the close clearance between the pontoon and the storage buildings that the Point Hope crew are watching. February 10, 2010 Working scaffolding surrounds the shore side of the pontoon where we had to cut out damaged areas where the old mooring piles had crushed the structure. Portions of the bulkhead, stiffeners, deck, and side plates had to be replaced. February 15, 2010 
Installing support steel for a new pedestrian walkway on the starboard side of the ramp. February 18, 2010 
Preparing the pontoon for the additions. The corner was cut and flotation foam removed from the front bulkhead. Note the supports and blocking for the new addition that will be lift in place for fitting. February 22, 2010 
Lifting the starboard pontoon addition for fitting and welding. February 22, 2010 Fitting and welding starboard pontoon addition. February 23, 2010 Once the additions were welded up and the pontoon received a paint job, the pontoon headed back to the water. Here the pontoon is on the PHM turntable getting positioned to be pushed onto the marine railway cradle. March 8, 2010 The pontoon just before entering back into the water. A bolt on extension bulkhead is added here to the starboard side. Note the sheet pile wall trimmed down to accommodate the descending over hung pontoon. March 8, 2010 
For the tow up to Quathiaski Cove, the ramp is supported by the refurbished pontoon and a secondary pontoon. Here the secondary pontoon is moved into position before the ramp is lowered into place. March 12, 2010 The pontoon and ramp were then towed back to Point Hope Maritime for the addition of fender brackets, fenders, the apron, and the installation of hydraulics. March 16, 2010 
Lifting the apron onto the ramp. March 16, 2010 Apron and ramp deck after reworking complete. March 31, 2010 Docking Pontoon complete and waiting to be towed. March 31, 2010
