Innovative Modular Marine System Launched By New Zealand Company

New Zealand-based engineering company Mariteq Marine is receiving international interest in the patented design of its advanced marina system.

The design is based on yachting technology which takes an aluminium/polyethylene marina system and makes it as stable as a concrete system.

Mariteq directors Garth Beker and Ross Langman have been driving the development of the new design for the past five years.

“Until now, concrete based marina systems have been the most stable to walk on. While aluminium marina systems have other significant advantages over competing systems we had to address the issue of liveliness. Through our new design we have achieved a remarkably stable system,” says Beker.

Over time they identified an increasing demand for alternative marina construction materials, away from large, heavy high-maintenance concrete systems.

“We were already heavily involved in manufacturing floating structures principally using aluminium/polyethylene materials. But as the business grew we increasingly encountered, in New Zealand at least, a strong bias toward concrete systems. Clients wanted the best on-water stability possible,” he says.

Beker says beyond New Zealand the world was quickly moving towards cleaner greener marinas manufactured from lightweight yet robust materials. However, he says these systems were very ‘lively’ to walk on, and until this performance characteristic was improved concrete systems would be preferred.

“Seeing the need, we set about improving the stability of our aluminium/polyethylene marina system. Following much research and development our company has finalised a fully engineered marina system and in the process have an international patent and pending PCT patent,” says Beker.

The main benefit concrete marina systems have had over aluminium systems is stability. Mariteq’s new system gives marina owners the option to go with an alloy system that delivers on-water stability characteristics very close to concrete systems.

The system is modular and can be easily configured to suit any marina or canal design. Unlike concrete systems that need to have a predetermined length and moulded individually before installation, Mariteq’s system ensures maximum options; the finger piers coming off the main walkways can be adjusted to allow for specific configurations whether temporary or permanent.

Beker says this means developers are no longer concerned or restricted by predetermined individual mouldings. Rather, each arm can be shaped or extended to suit, whether it’s the length or width, and can be moved around if the user finds the layout doesn’t suit.

Mariteq also investigated the installation logistics and costs associated with installing much heavier systems. Because of the marina’s initial lightweight construction several units can be road transported at one time eliminating expensive transport costs. Loading on and off and into the water can now be carried out with substantially lighter and less expensive plant not only lowering costs but with little or no visual impact. The marina system can be shipped anywhere easily as deck freight or containerised.

“When concrete marinas are damaged it can be a mammoth exercise to co-ordinate cranes and barges for replacement, repair or extension work. Mariteq marinas are designed to be ‘modular’ in nature enabling easy replacement of either a part or a complete section, which can be carried out usually within a day– it’s that simple,” says Beker.

“Instead of replacing a whole arm, we only need to repair the directly affected area. For example, if a boat backs in and damages decking or floatation pods we can simply unbolt and replace these parts instantly. Also, ninety-five percent of products used in our marina system are reusable which means most of the marina’s original components can be reused time and again, especially as they also have a very long useful working life.”

The new marina design was first tested at Hopper Developments Pauanui Waterways in New Zealand and assessed by industry professionals.

One of the people to run the ruler over the new system was Leigh Hopper, chief executive of Hopper Developments. His company recently opened its latest development project in New Zealand at Marsden Cove, which includes a 250 berth marina and multi stage canal housing.

Leigh Hopper says a great deal of innovation and engineering has been applied to the design of the Mariteq system and he finds the product exciting.

“I have 30 years’ boating experience as well as designing, installing, and maintaining various marine related structures. I was initially struck by planked surface synonymous with traditional wharf materials, then I was surprised at the marina’s stability,” he says.

“It incorporates a flexible jointing arrangement, is modular and capable of being constructed to exacting specified lengths and angles. The system would have a high reuse or residual value given the long life materials used. The net present value of this calculation could be of considerable value.”

Mariteq’s Garth Beker says he is receiving interest in the system from around the world including some expressing interest in securing licenses to market, manufacture and install the system.