NEWS

Innovative new jetty brings real benefits for prestigious Argyll hotel

A prestigious Argyll hotel has found an innovative solution for replacing its old and decaying sea pier by installing a new floating jetty made from recycled plastic.

The steel pier at the Five Star Isle of Eriska Hotel near Oban had become increasingly dilapidated in recent years and was suffering from serious rot and corrosion.

Replacing the pier was therefore seen as a priority, given that it formed an essential part of the hotel’s operation, providing guests with boat trips and enabling yachts and other visiting craft to tie-up alongside.

Following close consultation by Fusion Marine on the hotel’s exact requirements, an individually designed 30m plastic jetty was specially manufactured and installed. Anchored to the shore by a concrete plinth, the jetty rises and falls with the tide ensuring round-the-clock access.

According to Chay Buchanan-Smith, proprietor of the Isle of Eriska Hotel, the innovative design and construction offers several advantages over more traditional pier constructions.

“One problem with the old pier was that of abrasion caused to boats moored alongside by the metal pillars,” he said. “This does not happen with the plastic jetty, which is also much more cost effective as it is tougher and will not corrode. We were particularly attracted to the fact that the structure is made from recycled material.”

Iain Forbes of Fusion Marine said: “We have manufactured and installed a number of these pontoons for hotels and estates on the West coast of Scotland. They are a great way of boosting business by attracting yachts and offering guests the option of boat or fishing trips.”

“Their versatility means that they can be sited on sloping beaches, with the flexible nature of the jetty enabling it to follow the course of the shoreline and provide a suitable freeboard and access at all states of the tide.”