Finger pier

A finger pier is a narrow pier projecting from the shoreline that provides berthing on both of its long faces, doubling berth length within a given waterfront. The piled or filled structure carries the apron, mooring fittings, and any cargo gear, with fenders on each face sized to the design vessel’s berthing energy. Finger piers are common at ferry, ro-ro, marina, and general-cargo basins where two ships berth either side of one structure. Spacing between adjacent fingers sets the berth pocket width, which must clear the design vessel beam plus a maneuvering and safety margin. Design of the deck, piles, and fendering follows BS 6349-2.