Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland, was selected by Scottish Coastal Rowing Association (SCRA) as the venue for a major, international coastal rowing event, “Skiffie Worlds 2016”. Competitors, some from as far away as the United States and Tasmania, and as many as 50 boats, took part in these World Championships for the St Ayles’ Skiff class of coastal rowing boat. The event  was hosted by the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership (SLLP), working closely with the SCRA, and with the support of local councils and communities along the County Down Coast, who volunteered their help.
In order to host the championship the venue that was chosen for the event needed a large temporary pontoon to be deployed, Pontoons Ireland won the tender, not just on price, they showed a clear understanding of the brief, their methodology for deployment could not be faulted, and the modular floating pontoon product was second to none.  We knew we had struck gold when the company representatives came on their very first site visit, after that nothing was too much trouble and the attention that was paid to detail could not be faulted, nothing was assumed.  The site of the pontoon deployment was sensitive both ecologically and archaeologically, this was taken into account on all method statements and risk assessments.
    All health and safety documentation was supplied as a matter of course, and never had to be sought.  There was training given for the construction of the pontoons to SLLP volunteers, which was delivered soundly with a great deal of humour, all our volunteers really enjoyed their time in helping to build the pontoon, and we had no trouble in getting them to return when it was time to remove the pontoon at the finish of the event.  All the technical work was however carried out by Pontoons Ireland, such as the delta anchoring which had minimal impact on the floor of the lough, and the metal work for the walkway access and the fitting of posts and rails.
    Pontoons Ireland delivered on time throughout the project,  the site was always tidy and free from obstruction, nothing was left to chance, and nothing was too much trouble for this hospitable company, they were a joy to work alongside, everything was always delivered with a smile and a ‘bit of craic’. We at Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership would have no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending them to any one for any of their varied services.

Sue McClay
Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership