CASE STUDY

Project:

To work with Aberdeen Harbour and Caledonian Towage to successfully complete the largest marine infrastructure project in the UK.

The challenge involved transporting and implementing the caissons which will form the new south harbour. The 22 caissons were towed over 100 miles across the North Sea, each with a weight of 8,000 tonnes. Optimal sea and weather parameters were mandatory for handling the caissons. Swell, tides, windspeed and wind direction were continuously monitored throughout.

After each caisson arrived in Aberdeen, the harbour tugs were attached, and the caisson was pushed sideways into the berth. The seabed was then prepared, and levelling stone was inserted into the caisson. Following on from this, the caisson was pumped full of water, allowing the structure to be lowered onto the seabed.

Ocean Kinetics was also involved in fabricating and supplying all the materials needed for the contract, as well as providing all the necessary diving equipment. In addition, we carried out relevant inspection and diving works as part of the project, this including seabed inspections prior to the caisson’s arrival and removing the caisson’s underwater tow-points.

The project was completed smoothly, safely and on-time.