Pontoons are semi-permanently moored marine floating structures that provide access to the surrounding water body through a ramp designed to be connected to the shoreline. They can act as floating jetties on waterways that experience a significant tidal level variation. They are designed to withstand harsh high- and low-tide loading conditions and they meet stringent structural, operational and safety requirements.

The whole pontoon dock assemblage can float up and down, following the tide level, and must be anchored to the seabed, usually with steel marine piles. Access to the shoreline is provided by a trestle hinged at the shore end, that is resting freely on the pontoon end.