On the surface a pontoon (6)
I believe the answer is:
afloat
'on the surface' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a pontoon' is the wordplay.
'pontoon' becomes 'float' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a'+'float'='AFLOAT'
(Other definitions for afloat that I've seen before include "On board a ship or boat" , "Bobbing along?" , "Resting on water" , "At sea, drifting aimlessly" , "Borne on the water" .)