CASE STUDY:
Marine Support Site Investigation Ovingham
LOCATION:
Ovingham, River Tyne
Equipment Used:
Description:
Situated on a part of the River Tyne which is un-navigable this project required careful planning and timing for logistics. The work location presented many obstacles which needed to be overcome to complete the project. The client cleared a track to enable access for a 100te Crane once this was completed and the crane was in position it was then used to crane the vessels and pontoons into the river. The NESB team constructed the NATO Pontoon system installing the solid handrails, the moonpool and spud legs. Due to the fast current of the river, we decided to use 2 x vessels for manoeuvring pontoon system into position for drilling, having the two vessels also gave us a redundancy in the event something was to go wrong. Given the challenging environment through the expertise and careful planning of the NESB team the project was a success and completed on time.
CASE STUDY:
Gravity Based Foundations Blyth Offshore Windfarm
LOCATION:
Equipment Used:
Sea Eagle, Plastic Modular Pontoons, DSV Curtis Marshall, Compressor and Airlift
Description:
With renewables energies technologies developing and growing at an expediential rate due to the demand in the last 20 years for clean energy an experimental project was undertaken to design, construct and install concrete gravity-based foundations as opposed to the traditional steel pile driven foundations. NESB supported the construction and installation phase of the project. We were tasked with providing pontoon solutions for diving operations and 24-hour safety boat cover. When the problem came of the dry dock gates being unable to open because of a build-up of material after years of being decommissioned, in less than 12 hours the NESB team were able to charter and mobilise the DSV Curtis Marshall installing a compressor and an air lift to remove the material. Skippered by our Operations Director Gareth Southcott the DSV Curtis Marshall laid 2 x anchors in the river and 2 x mooring ropes ashore to enable a 4-point mooring system, the airlift was then deployed to remove the material from around the dock gates over a 24-hour period. The project was completed with great success and the dock gates were able to be lowered so the sailing of the gravity-based foundations could be conducted in the small tidal window.
CASE STUDY:
Seaton Carew Outfall Repairs
LOCATION:
Equipment Used:
Sea Eagle
Description:
North East Safety Boats were tasked by Hartlepool Marina and Southbay Civils to provide a crew transfer vessel and safety boat for outfall repairs and modifications works being carried out at Seaton Carew Beach, this project involved transferring personnel in difficult circumstances and in shallow water, a high degree of boat handling was employed by the NESB staff.
CASE STUDY:
Water Sampling River Tyne
LOCATION:
Equipment Used:
Sea Eagle
Description:
Working with the National Oceanography Centre. Two scientists were taken upstream between Newcastle and Dunston. Several water samples taken at various points along the River Tyne, the vessel had to take these intermittent samples along the river until we reached a point where know salinity was detected in the water, interestingly this is further than expected.
CASE STUDY:
HM Endeavour Move Stockton to Whitby
LOCATION:
Equipment Used:
Description:
The replica-built vessel Endeavour has been permanently moored on the River Tees since her construction, in previous years the vessel has been used as a museum to showcase Captain Cooks exploits and as a Function Space. As the years passed the vessel slowly deteriorated with rotten decks and rigging, being up for sale two Whitby based businessman decided to purchase her with a view of transforming her into a restaurant and living history museum. The vessel was to be towed to the Tees Barrage where it was lifted out using a heavy lift crane before being towed to A&P Tees for a refit, on completion of the refit she was towed to Whitby where her new home awaited her. This project regarded extremely careful planning as there had been several bridges constructed since the vessel was berthed at Stockton in the early 90’s and there had been no dredge campaigns conducted.
With excellent helmanship from the skippers and guidance from the Barge Master the Endeavour arrived at Tees Barrage without incident, the Endeavour was then prepared for her lift by the Heavy Lift Crane, issues with the crane meant there were some slight delays however these were overcome, and the lift was able to take place with her being hoisted onto the commercial side of the river. Again, the tow from the barrage to A&P Tees was undertaken without incident with Tees Pilots assisting for this part of the journey.
Once docked an extensive refit was undertaken and she was looking like new again. The tow from A&P Tees was an extensive one which needed the grunt of larger vessels, with perfect weather the vessel arrived at the entrance to Whitby Harbour to be greeted by thousands of revellers, horns sounding and cannons blasting, it did feel like a rock star moment, the hardest part to negotiate was the Whitby swing bridge, which was again overcome without incident, the Endeavour is now berthed at her permanent home and is open to the public.
CASE STUDY:
INEOS Ladder Fabrication & Installation
LOCATION:
Equipment Used:
Description:
Having supported INEOS on their Tees Jetty’s for several years providing support for various projects we were approached and asked if we could fabricate and install new ladders to the existing jetty’s, the ladders in place were structurally unsafe due to constant use over the years and damage from visiting vessels. Initially a site visit was undertaken to determine the sizes and requirements from the client, the ladders were then fabricated to specification before having a galvanised coating applied to them. The removal and the installation of the ladders took place over two days, for this we used the MMS Humber Engineer using her HIAB crane to assist and the smaller workboat Sea Minion for close in work.
CASE STUDY:
Flood Alleviation Schemes
LOCATION:
Equipment Used:
Description:
We have been providing support on these projects since 2018 with the team tasked to work up to 2023.
Currently we are providing vessels and manpower in support of both projects with the requirement for further vessels, pontoons, and equipment in 2021.
Both large-scale projects come of the result of historical flooding in previous years in their respected local areas and as a result work is being undertaken to resolve this.