Dolphin structures in Germany.

Dolphins are usually installed to provide a fixed structure when it would be impractical to extend the shore to provide a dry access facility. Typical uses include extending a berth (a berthing dolphin) or providing a point to moor to (a mooring dolphin). Dolphins are also used to display regulatory information like speed limits etc, other information like advertising or directions and navigation information like a daybeacon as well as ranges and lighted aids to navigation.

The structures typically consist of a number of piles driven into the seabed or riverbed and connected together above the water level to provide a platform or fixing point. The piles can be pressure treated wood poles, or steel or reinforced concrete beams, blocks or tubes. Smaller dolphins can have the piles drawn together with wire rope, but larger dolphins would typically be fixed using a reinforced concrete capping or a structural steel frame.

Access to a dolphin may be via a pedestrian bridge (mooring dolphins) but is usually by boat.

See also

• Daybeacon

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