| Prior to 1873, Standing docks were constructed in | | | | these, the wooden dock is the least expensive while |
| order to provide for large ships to dock themselves. | | | | the Floating Polydock is the most convenient option. |
| But these systems saw many a drawback in the | | | | This is so since it is all about connections. All the |
| form of flooding, freezing, usage of ladders to get | | | | pieces therein can be joined together and rearranged |
| onto the boats or ships and load other materials onto | | | | as and when required. The Steel dock is made up of |
| the boat. | | | | galvanised steel and that makes it more long lasting, |
| The loopholes left in Standing Docks were spotted | | | | corrosion-free and economical. This material helps the |
| by Edwin Clark and John Stanfield, of the | | | | Floating sock to last 15 years with minimum repairs. |
| Clark-Stanfield fame, and they decided to construct a | | | | A special kind of floating dock that is fast gaining |
| buoyant and stable platform to dock large and small | | | | round is the Dry Dock. It boasts of the ability to |
| ships and boats alike. What conspired out of the idea | | | | drain off water after flooding it. This also helps |
| and plan was a system that protects boats from | | | | conduct maintenance and repair activities. |
| natural disasters like hurricanes, high tides and | | | | In spite of such a commendable design, there are a |
| fluctuation of water. | | | | few considerations that go into the design and |
| A floating dock is made up of following parts: Deck, | | | | operation of a floating dock: |
| A Vertical Pole, Rollers and Floats. Its accessories | | | | 1. Water currents and pressure play a major role on |
| facilitate many actions and the list of accessories | | | | the orientation of the objects floating on it especially |
| includes - Ladders, a lift, toolboxes, fishing kit, awning | | | | when these objects (floating docks) carry many |
| and cleats. Anchoring paraphernalia like poles, cables, | | | | other things on them. |
| stiff arms and ramps put together by the designers | | | | 2. During winters, water freezes and this might result |
| are such that they can be used in many | | | | in bending of the vertical poles that are used for |
| combinations. This helps provide a modular structure | | | | anchoring the dock. Dismantling the dock during |
| to the system. The elevation provided by billets helps | | | | winters needs to be given a serious thought as well. |
| distribute the entire weight evenly throughout the | | | | 3. Permissions to be sought before building your own |
| structure. The maximum weight that these | | | | dock. |
| structures can handle is slightly over 200 pounds. This | | | | 4. Place of building the Dock and its proximity to the |
| also helps in the mobility of the dock. | | | | water boundary. |
| There are various types of Floating Docks that can | | | | 5. The location of the Dock. |
| be assembled. These types depend upon the material | | | | Taking into perspective these considerations, a |
| that is used in their construction. The quality of the | | | | certain set of guidelines need to be adhered to. |
| material used will determine the years of service it | | | | These instructions, rules and regulations and |
| can provide. The floating dock types include - | | | | classification of Floating Docks have been put |
| Wooden Dock, Floating Polydock and Steel Dock. Of | | | | together by the inventors themselves. |