08 March 2023
Works are well underway at Pembroke Port to create new workboat pontoons as part of the Swansea Bay City Deal-backed Pembroke Dock Marine project. Contractor BAM Nuttall began construction in August 2022 and is expected to complete the works by the end of 2023.
The construction of a new workboat pontoon is progressing well and once complete, will provide much-needed berthing for vessels, supporting long term operations and maintenance contracts.
We caught up with Port of Milford Haven’s Senior Project Manager, Jason Hester to find out how the works are progressing…
Currently, we have 6 piles have been installed with 4 yet to be completed.
The main contractor is using the rotary drilling technique, this was chosen during the planning stage for this project to reduce the noise impact in the local area and marine environment, as opposed to a driven piling method which would create increased noise.
Using the rotary drilling technique requires more time and effort in comparison to other methods, due to the hardness of the rock each pile takes between 22-24 hours to install.
The next step will be to attach the brackets, once the brackets are in place the pontoons will be floated out into the position and attached the piles.
The new workboat berthing facilities will allow for safe and efficient access to workboats at all states of the tide, enabling Pembroke Port to accommodate a far wider range of marine devices.
This will in turn enhance operational efficiency and give developers the much-needed flexibility throughout the development cycles and during operations.
The workboat pontoon development is part of the Swansea Bay City Deal-backed Pembroke Dock Marine project which is funded by UK Government, the Welsh Government, the public and private sector. It is also part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.
