Direct from release with UK MoD, extremely high specification Air Portable Ferry Bridge Pontoon (APFB) workboat sections, from reserve stocks.
The pontoons are designed as components of a rapid deployment military bridge system, with extremely high build quality and ingenuity incorporated in the specification and launching system.
Each stack is fitted to a specially constructed DROPS rack and consists of 1 powered pontoon and 2 unpowered units. These are designed to interlock with another set to build the base of the ferry bridge.
The APFB pontoon is powered by a Schottel waterjet driven by a Deutz air cooled diesel engine. The engine is mounted in a lightweight frame, secured to the deck by four clamps and can be rapidly removed for either maintenance or complete in field replacement. The Schottel pump jet is mounted by clamps in the deck of the pontoon and can also be rapidly removed for servicing. There are no protrusions on the underside of the pontoons, enabling the unit to operate in shallow or heavily obstructed water without risk of fouling. Steering is controlled by rotating the jet outlet. The 360-degree movement provides the pontoon with a high level of manoeuvrability.
The powered pontoon is primarily intended for use as a ferry, but they can also be effectively used during the construction of floating bridges, providing a rapid means of placing piers.
Each pontoon is of open top construction which allows stacking for transport and storage. The marine grade aluminium pontoons have built in buoyancy which is adequate floatation for the ferry or bridge structure. They are self-draining with a (net) buoyancy of 12.000kg at 30cm freeboard.
They are stacked on the purpose built rack with three pontoons nested one inside the other 2.7m high on the flatrack. These stacks can be carried on a standard DROPS type truck which can also be used to launch and recover the pontoons using the power and air connections on the vehicle.
Each pontoon includes a self-bailing system that allows any water inside to drain away automatically.
When built, the ferry can operate in 0.8 metres of water and has an operating speed of 3.5 metres per second unloaded and 2.5 metres per second when loaded.
Deployment and Recovery
The APFB Ferry’s six pontoons are stackable (nested) and are carried on two dedicated DROPS flatracks with one powered and two standard pontoons per vehicle.
A built-in release system launches the pontoons sequentially into the water. An integrated winch system within each DROPS flatrack recovers each pontoon after use.
These units are for sale either as a complete unit on a rack, or we can split the stacks and sell either individual powered pontoons or unpowered pontoon sections. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
