Pile

A long structural member driven or fixed vertically into the bed of a river, harbour or sea.

Piles may be timber, steel, concrete or another suitable material. They support piers and pontoons, guide floating structures as the water level changes, carry navigation marks or mooring fittings, and can be grouped to form dolphins or protective barriers.

A pile may stand alone, be partly submerged or blend visually with a structure behind it. Mariners should observe charted and local markings and allow for current, tide and projections such as bolts, brackets or damaged timber when passing or lying alongside.