As part of the refurbishing of the operations and maintenance (O&M) base for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, Inland and Coastal Marina Systems (ICMS) has installed a floating concrete breakwater within the Port of Newhaven to provide safe berthing facilities for crew transfer vessels (CTVs).
Working with civil engineering firm Knights Brown, ICMS designed and installed a 90-linear-meter concrete breakwater with 1-meter freeboard, suitable for berthing CTV vessels up to 140-metric-ton displacement. The floating structure, with external pile guides, has a width of 4.5 meters, providing ample space for the associated electrical, water, lighting, and fuel services required.
“Working closely with the team at Knights Brown, we were able to install the new access system and pontoon without disruption of the 24/7 operations and maintenance activities of the wind farm,” said Jon Challis, ICMS sales manager.
“We also worked alongside sub-contractors for the pontoons’ services to ensure full compliance with health, safety and quality management procedures as we installed the new berthing facility, which will benefit vessel operators for years to come.”
Rampion was the first offshore wind farm off the south coast of England and is owned and operated by RWE Renewables. The O&M base is a permanent structure within the Port of Newhaven, comprising offices, warehousing, and berthing and quayside facilities for the wind-farm commissioning and maintenance vessels.
Manufactured in ICMS’ highly controlled pre-cast facilities in Banagher, Ireland, the concrete pontoon has a 200mm rubber D-fender and one-meter freeboard to match that of the vessels using it, creating a comfortable berthing facility for the CTVs serving the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm.
With a durable, textured decking designed for commercial use, the crews have continuous safe access to their vessels night and day, year round, whatever the weather.
“I can truly say it’s been an absolute pleasure working with Inland and Coastal’s project team from the start of the design stage to the delivery of the breakwater and the successful hand over to our client,” said Arron Dolan, contracts manager at Knights Brown. “We have found the project team to be user friendly and always on hand to support the team with any queries. We found their on-site team helpful and accommodating at all times. I would personally highly recommend them.”
More info www.inlandandcoastal.com
