Designing Inflatable Pontoons as Boat Stabilizers for Dock Safety
Project Type
group
Authors' Class Standing
Grace McSween (Freshman), Skyler Singleton (Freshman), Katelyn Wentworth (Freshman), Katherine McBrayer (Freshman), Paul A. Galarnyk (Freshman)
Lead Presenter's Name
Grace McSween
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. James Pembridge
Abstract
Rowers with physical disabilities, adaptive rowers, often use pontoons to help stabilize their boats on the water, however additional problems have been recognized with entering and exiting the boat. The problem of this project is to research and design a device or system of devices to increase stability at the dock while adaptive rowers are getting in and out of the boat. This project addresses how the docking process can be made more efficient and safe through boat stabilization. It further explores how well inflatable pontoons stabilize the boat at the dock in addition to the water. Using a design process, a system was developed where an inflatable pontoon is partially deflated at the dock to provide resistance to the dock, thereby decreasing boat movement. This device helps adaptive rowers’ autonomy at the dock by eliminating the need for assistive personnel to keep their boats steady.
Designing Inflatable Pontoons as Boat Stabilizers for Dock Safety
Rowers with physical disabilities, adaptive rowers, often use pontoons to help stabilize their boats on the water, however additional problems have been recognized with entering and exiting the boat. The problem of this project is to research and design a device or system of devices to increase stability at the dock while adaptive rowers are getting in and out of the boat. This project addresses how the docking process can be made more efficient and safe through boat stabilization. It further explores how well inflatable pontoons stabilize the boat at the dock in addition to the water. Using a design process, a system was developed where an inflatable pontoon is partially deflated at the dock to provide resistance to the dock, thereby decreasing boat movement. This device helps adaptive rowers’ autonomy at the dock by eliminating the need for assistive personnel to keep their boats steady.