PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The main purpose of this challenging offshore infrastructure project, which was successfully completed in 2015, was to provide protection to the harbour from swells and waves. A follow-on project saw the installation of pontoons at the North Pier. The reclamation area was used to relocate a road which ran adjacent to the front of a Bird Observatory Building to be relocated away from the building. Space was then provided for parking and landscaping to the front of the Observatory, all to the benefit to the operation of the Observatory. The precast concrete storm gate system weighing 1,000 tonnes was precast in dry dock and floated and towed by tug approximately 100km to Cape Clear. It was then sunk into position on foundations up to 7m under water. His team then installed a set of sophisticated computer-controlled mitre storm gates which includes two 30t gate leaves each operated by 140t hydraulic rams. This novel solution ensured that the vital island harbour could remain open throughout the construction programme. The solution also minimised underwater construction works and thus improving build safety.
