Moniz: Heritage Wharf will be ready for Breakaway

The Ministry of Public Works would like to advise that work is progressing well at Dockyard on the new structures being installed at Heritage Wharf.

Since the start of work on these structures only two weeks ago, a significant amount of work has been completed.  Preparatory work of installation of noise mitigation has been undertaken.  This takes the form of bubble curtains to dampen any noise transmitted through the water into the marine environment.  Outside of this is a silt curtain which prevents any construction activities from affecting the water turbidity (visibility) around the site.

Piling templates have been constructed comprising six driven piles and large steel frames have been constructed and welded in place for two berthing dolphins (the mooring and breasting structures). Eight of the permanent works piles, which are 3 feet in diameter, have been driven to a depth of 120 feet to the southern dolphins. Pile driving has also commenced to the northern dolphin.  Welded extensions are being added so that all piles can be driven to their full length. 

The Ministry advised that the welding is quite intensive which requires teams of two welders to work in tandem for eight hours to compete and 100 percent of the welds are tested to ensure compliance with our quality control criteria.

Preparation of forms and fixing of steel reinforcement for concreting has commenced on the precast elements of the work and some of these will be cast this week. In the coming weeks we will commence filling the driven piles with concrete fill. The piles contain reinforced concrete and will have studs welded to them as shear connectors. These will be reinforced into the concrete caps of the dolphins.  

“All this has taken place despite the challenging weather conditions that have reduced the number of days that we could operate on the water.  Fortunately we have been able to work with the construction team to work more efficiently during these periods of bad weather, preparing materials and equipment on land in readiness for the clear days that allow work to progress,” Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Trevor Moniz JP MP said.

The Minister continued: “Our schedule is driven by the arrival of the Norwegian Breakaway, the newest cruise ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.  The Government is confident that we will deliver a structure that befits a ship of this stature and that the dock will be prepared to receive this ship from its maiden voyage on the 15^th of May this year.”

It is intended that the all piling works be completed prior to the arrival of the ship.  However the public should expect to see further works continuing after this date as the dock is further upgraded for progressively higher design wind speeds.

“By mid-season we will have a structure that will be competent for moored vessels in wind speeds of a sustained 45 knots.  To reach this level of strength we need to complete concreting works to two additional mooring dolphin structures, one to the north and one to the south of the main dock,” the Minister said.

“These structures also allow clean unobstructed lines for the mooring ropes of the larger vessels. In addition we will be installing important safety upgrades to the dock, providing deck furniture in the form of safety railings and ladder access to the water for recovery of persons in the event of any accidents.”

‘We are extremely pleased with the collaborative approach to working on this project that has been evident from all parties on the site with all contributing to progress and driving the project forward to completion.  This project is one that the contractors have very much taken ownership of and are clearly looking to produce a completed structure to be proud of,” Minister Moniz concluded.