How do you get a 60 tonne crane onto a jack up barge that is 240m out to sea and is 30 times too heavy to move down the Pier?
You build a ramp, 20 metres long and 3 metres high out of sand to allow the crane to drive from the last point of the shore that it can reach, to the barge.
The new “jack-up” barge was tested this week to make sure that it can be properly secured in the Weston mud. With this test successfully passed, the ramp will now be created with 2 diggers and 2 dumpers taking sand from inside the Grand Pier fence line. After the crane has reached the safety of the barge, the sand will be replaced.
Joint owner of the Pier Kerry Michael said: “This is one of many creative solutions that we have had to come up with to solve the challenges that are created in building this extraordinary Pier. I’m sure there will be many more improvisations before we are finished!”
Richard Sutton is the Senior Contracts Manager for main contractor John Sisk. He said: “We have checked with Natural England about moving the sand and they have given us the all clear as there will be no problem or harm to the environment. The ramp was the quickest method to put the crane on the barge.”
Showing posts with label barge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label barge. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Grand Pier work on course
Work to rebuild the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare is on target with support piles for the attraction’s new 85 metre observation tower due to be driven into the sea bed next week.
So far 22 steel piles have been driven into the sea bed by Commercial Marine Piling to support the new pavilion, which is planned to open in time for the 2010 summer season.
Contractors Commercial Marine Piling is carrying out the work using a specialist jack-up barge brought to site to cope with the high tides. At the same time shot blasting work underneath the pier is also being carried out and replacement of steelwork damaged in the fire that destroyed the old pavilion in July last year.
Image shows the barge next to the Grand Pier.
Contracts for the construction of the new pavilion, which will house exciting amusements and rides for the public, have now gone out to tender.
Co-owners Kerry and Michelle Michael are continuing their worldwide search to find some of the most up-to-date rides and attractions for the new pavilion. But they are also finalising plans for old favourites, such as the Fun House, go-kart track and a traditional helter-skelter.
Michelle Michael said: “Every day sees progress being made and we are working to a tight timescale. So far everything is on course with the piling and superstructure clean-up and we can’t wait for the next stage.”
The Fun House will be twice the size of its predecessor and will be three storeys high with lots of thrills and tricks for those who enter. There will also be “psychedelic experience” where the fun starts by putting on special glasses and entering a world of “mind-blowing” visions from the Sixties.
Image shows an illustration of how the new Crazy House & Psychodelic Trip will look.
Kerry Michael said: “We want this to be the best pier in the world and for that we need to have the best rides, the biggest laughs and the most fun. There are designers and ride specialists working on getting that right for us all over the world.
“The pavilion structure is important but what will entertain local people and also attract people to Weston will be what they find when they go inside. We want to create the fun of a seaside holiday and also an all-year round attraction where local people can let their hair down and enjoy themselves.”
So far 22 steel piles have been driven into the sea bed by Commercial Marine Piling to support the new pavilion, which is planned to open in time for the 2010 summer season.
Contractors Commercial Marine Piling is carrying out the work using a specialist jack-up barge brought to site to cope with the high tides. At the same time shot blasting work underneath the pier is also being carried out and replacement of steelwork damaged in the fire that destroyed the old pavilion in July last year.
Image shows the barge next to the Grand Pier.
Contracts for the construction of the new pavilion, which will house exciting amusements and rides for the public, have now gone out to tender.
Co-owners Kerry and Michelle Michael are continuing their worldwide search to find some of the most up-to-date rides and attractions for the new pavilion. But they are also finalising plans for old favourites, such as the Fun House, go-kart track and a traditional helter-skelter.
Michelle Michael said: “Every day sees progress being made and we are working to a tight timescale. So far everything is on course with the piling and superstructure clean-up and we can’t wait for the next stage.”
The Fun House will be twice the size of its predecessor and will be three storeys high with lots of thrills and tricks for those who enter. There will also be “psychedelic experience” where the fun starts by putting on special glasses and entering a world of “mind-blowing” visions from the Sixties.
Image shows an illustration of how the new Crazy House & Psychodelic Trip will look.
Kerry Michael said: “We want this to be the best pier in the world and for that we need to have the best rides, the biggest laughs and the most fun. There are designers and ride specialists working on getting that right for us all over the world.
“The pavilion structure is important but what will entertain local people and also attract people to Weston will be what they find when they go inside. We want to create the fun of a seaside holiday and also an all-year round attraction where local people can let their hair down and enjoy themselves.”
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
The Barge has Arrived!
The latest news about the Pier is the start of the rebuild. A barge has been parked next to the Pier to hold the equipment and a large crane for the building work. Both the Weston Mercury and the Bristol Evening Post have given us excellent coverage of the barge’s arrival. Please see their news stories:
Weston Mercury
Bristol Evening Post
We have taken several pictures of the barge arriving at the Pier and they are posted in the ‘month one’ album on our facebook page.
The Mercury also have a video of its arrival, please click here to watch.
Weston Mercury
Bristol Evening Post
We have taken several pictures of the barge arriving at the Pier and they are posted in the ‘month one’ album on our facebook page.
The Mercury also have a video of its arrival, please click here to watch.
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