Float (nautical) marine salvage, often deployed uninflated then pressurized to raise a sunken object. In popular usage, the term "pontoon" can refer to any of several of the following objects that make use of nautical floats. A pontoon boat is a flattish boat that relies on nautical floats for buoyancy. Common boat designs are a catamaran with two pontoons, or a trimaran with three. In many parts of the world, pontoon boats are used as small vehicle ferries to cross rivers and lakes. In Australia and New Zealand, the term "pontoon" often refers to an anchored raft-like platform used for diving from.
Pontoon bridge consisted of one or more pontoons, which were maneuvered into position and then anchored underwater or on land. The pontoons were linked together using wooden stringers called "balks". The balks were covered by a series of cross planks called "chesses" to form the road surface, and the chesses were secured with side guard rails. A floating bridge can be built in a series of sections, starting from an anchored point on the shore. Modern pontoon bridges usually use pre-fabricated floating structures. Most pontoon bridges are designed for temporary use, but bridges across water bodies with a constant water level can