TMS accept European Commercial Marine Award for best Marine Civils project

Monday, 8th July 2024

TMS (Teignmouth Maritime Services) are very proud to announce we have accepted the European Commercial Marine Award for best marine civil engineering project 2^nd year running, this year with an emergency project assisting Balfour Beatty on the Nunham Viaduct Project.

TMS were called by Balfour Beatty on Good Friday 2023 following the emergency closure of a critical railway link between Oxford and Didcot at the Nuneham Viaduct

This historic, two-span bowstring truss bridge carries both passenger and freight over the River Thames and is a vital freight link for the UK. The bridge had been under constant monitoring since suffering progressive settlement of the southern span and after a sudden increase in the deterioration of the abutment, the line was forced to close.

Working on behalf of Balfour Beatty, TMS were appointed as the onsite marine civil engineering contractor to install temporary works from the river to support the viaduct while reconstruction took place. Following a rapid mobilisation, TMS were on site within days, fully equipped with pontoons, tugs and piling equipment to install two significant pile-supported bridge trusses. These were designed to allow the whole bridge deck to be jacked to facilitate the repairs.

Working in the River Thames using our specialist fleet of modular pontoons allowed easy movement between the river locks and access to the remote site using our shallow draft and high-power tugboats.

Working 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, to ensure the emergency works were not only completed but reopened within 65 days

– Procurement of piling equipment, including 33T & 38T Movax with DH-25 & DH-35 piling hammers.

– Installation of four clusters of six driven tubular piles either side of the viaduct for the temporary works

– Mobilisation of a 150T crawler crane to act as a service crane for the site

– Mobilisation of 750T crane to lift the temporary works structure into position under the soffit of the bridge

– Jacking up of the south side of the bridge by 0.7m

– Removal of bridge structure using 750t crane under a Network Rail possession

– Cutting and removal of all temporary riverbed piles

– Mobilisation of TMS Sinbad Barge and pontoons from Abingdon lock to Nuneham Viaduct

Providing professional marine and land based civil engineering services since 1991

TMS has been providing professional marine and land based civil engineering services since 1991. Experienced in working as the principal marine contractor, providing a one-stop-shop construction service as well as a design service. TMS are also fully able to work as a sub-contractor for large civil engineering and building companies who need our marine expertise and specialist marine and land-based plant.

Associated Listing:

Durham Lifting invests in the Heritage of Britannia Test House

Tuesday, 2nd July 2024

Britannia Test House is a living monument to Middlesbrough’s industrial heritage.

Set against Middlesbrough’s rich industrial backdrop, the Britannia Test House stands as a significant monument to the town’s steel manufacturing legacy.

Its crucial contributions to engineering marvels, most notably the Sydney Harbour Bridge, underscore its historical and technical importance. It is the last surviving structure of the Britannia Steelworks and stands as a proud testament to the region’s industrial and engineering heritage.

Today, thanks to Durham Lifting, the Test House continues to thrive, used for modern day load testing whilst preserving its rich legacy.

Constructed in 1926

The Britannia Test House was constructed by Dorman Long in response to their contract to build the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A unique clause in the contract required the company to provide a testing machine with a 1250-ton capacity, capable of stress-testing large-scale steel models.

Dorman Long invested £33,250 in this endeavour, with £20,000 allocated for the testing machine and £13,250 for the building itself. Construction commenced in July 1926 at the Britannia site, marking the beginning of a new era in structural engineering testing.

The building was designed to house what was then the world’s largest structural steel testing machine, created by W. & T. Avery of Birmingham.

This colossal machine could handle tension or compression specimens up to 50 feet (15.24 metres) in length and 3 feet 9 inches (1.14 metres) in cross-section.

The ground floor of the Test House featured a hangar-sized room to accommodate the 120-foot-long (36.58 metres) machine, equipped with a 30-ton overhead crane for positioning specimens.

This setup was not only a feat of engineering but also a logistical masterpiece, ensuring that the enormous specimens could be moved and tested with precision.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Before the arch construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge commenced, nearly forty scale models of its steel members were tested to destruction at the Britannia Test House. These tests were crucial in verifying the design team’s calculations and ensuring the bridge’s structural integrity.

The facility also tested the erection equipment, such as wire ropes and sockets, essential for the bridge’s assembly. The precise data obtained from these tests enabled engineers to predict the performance of the steelwork under actual conditions, thereby significantly contributing to the successful completion of this iconic structure.

Following the completion of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Test House continued to serve various commercial clients, including the Air Ministry, Admiralty, and the War Office.

During the Second World War, it played a pivotal role in numerous defence projects, providing critical testing services that supported the war effort. In the post-war era, it expanded its services to include civil aviation authorities, the Ministry of Defence, and numerous engineering firms, both domestic and international.

1970s Britannia Steelworks Closure

The Avery testing machine was modernised to operate on hydraulic oil pressure, thus enhancing its capacity to support a wide range of civil and mechanical engineering projects. This included testing materials and constructions such as concrete structures, crane and ladle hooks, and other mechanical lifting gear, ensuring their safety and reliability.

With the closure of the Britannia Steelworks in the 1970s, the logistics of specimen transportation shifted from rail to road. There were discussions about relocating the test machine to the Lackenby Works site, but the complexity and cost of such a move, along with the potential risk to the machine’s precision, prevented this.

1990s Durham Lifting Acquires Britannia Test House

Since the mid 1990’s, the Britannia Test House entered a new chapter when it became operated by Durham Lifting.

The company, specialising in lifting equipment and load testing services, took over the facility to continue its legacy of structural testing and engineering excellence. Durham Lifting, established in 1996, has built a reputation for providing high-quality lifting equipment and load testing services.

Their acquisition of the Britannia Test House has allowed the facility to expand its capabilities and maintain its status as a premier testing facility in the UK. Durham Lifting have invested significantly in upgrading the equipment and expanding the range of testing services offered.

The Britannia Test House is not merely a relic of the past but a living, breathing part of the engineering community, continually adapting and contributing to the field of structural testing.

It stands as a proud symbol of Middlesbrough’s industrial heritage and a beacon of engineering excellence. Its ongoing relevance is a testament to the foresight and ingenuity of those who established it nearly a century ago, and to the continued investment and innovation brought by its current owners, Durham Lifting, who are poised to continue its vital work well into the future.

Associated Listing:

Visit LiftEx 2024 to raise your lifting standards

Monday, 1st July 2024

LiftEx 2024, the flagship event of the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), will take place on 16-17^th October 2024 at the new West Hall at Olympia in London – a central location for a truly global industry.

The free-to-attend show is an essential visit for lifting safety professionals and anyone involved in using or procuring lifting equipment in industries including Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction, Oil & Gas, Offshore, Logistics, Defence, Utilities and Entertainment.

All of these sectors rely on a broad variety of cranes, hoists, platforms, cradles and their associated chains, ropes, slings and other lifting equipment to improve their productivity. These needs are served by a Lifting Equipment industry that is constantly evolving with the onset of new materials, innovative ideas, better ways of doing things and the inclusion of modern technologies. There are also the vital supporting services such as inspection, maintenance and training.

Find an expert

Operations should be seeking out experts for these services because they will offer the assurance of safety as well as value. For example, the ability to create solutions you might never think about, seeing the long-term implications of a project, saving time effort and money through safe and efficient practice.

Carrying a LEEA badge is one of the best ways to easily identify an expert: the Association’s membership comprises expertise in every aspect of the Lifting Industry – from design, manufacture, refurbishment and repair, through to the hire, maintenance and use of lifting equipment for an entire spectrum of end users.

LEEA members will pack the exhibition floor at Olympia, with almost 100 exhibitors

showing their solutions to improve productiveness and efficiency, as well as providing safety, for end users operating manufacturing and logistics facilities. Crucially, your visit will help you to improve safety with advice from experts on the LEEA stand.

With so much of our world viewed online, it is refreshing to gather with industry peers, be able to talk to real people and view for yourself the latest lifting products including hoists, mobile and overhead cranes, steel chains, wire rope, winches, shackles, web slings, rigging, spreader beams, height safety and load monitoring equipment, IT solutions and more.

Expand your knowledge

You will expand your knowledge during your visit by attending free training sessions and presentations on topics delivered by LEEA Accredited Training Scheme members at the ATS Seminar, which is being held across both days.

The programme of sessions aimed at end users includes on 16th October: Crane ropes – what the eye can’t see from Tensology Ltd, Working at height and rescue from ARCO Professional Safety Services, Know your sling calculations from ETDL – Elevation Training and Development, Slinging vs lashing – the critical difference from Mentor Training, Importance of pre-use checking equipment from Carl Stahl Evita Ltd and The role of an appointed person and the importance of planning a safe lift from Certex UK.

On 17th October the sessions will feature Working at height and rescue from ARCO Professional Safety Services, Importance of pre-use checking equipment from Carl Stahl Evita Ltd, Know your sling calculations, ETDL – Elevation Training and Development and Crane ropes – what the eye can’t see from Tensology Ltd.

Network at the best LiftEx yet

The leading annual networking event for the lifting industry is set to be the best yet, supported by sponsors including YOKE, the manufacturer of lifting fittings for chain, wire rope and webbing slings; Rope and Sling Specialists, one of the largest independent companies in the field of lifting equipment engineering in the UK; and Headline Sponsor RiConnect Inc, which offers powerful software known as RiConnect, designed to streamline equipment management and ensure regulatory compliance and traceability.

There will be many chances to network with your peers and colleagues, not least on the evening of 16 October 2024 – Day One of LiftEx – when the annual LEEA Awards ceremony will be held at the iconic Dorchester hotel. This promises to be the Lifting Industry’s party of the year.

All of this means a visit to LiftEx 2024 offers the perfect chance to gain vital lifting related knowledge and insights, as well as an opportunity to meet LEEA members and discuss ways they can help achieve best lifting practice.

Register for a free ticket at the exhibition website, events.leeaint.com/liftex-london-2024. For those interested in exhibiting, a few stands remain available. Sponsorship packages are also available for the exhibition and Awards Dinner. Requests will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis, so please contact Leah Phelps on +44 20 3488 2865 or at enquiries@L2Events.com.

Associated Exhibition:

Inland & Coastal Sponsors Autism On The Water for 2024

Tuesday, 18th June 2024

The pontoon and water access specialist, Inland & Coastal Marina Systems, is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of Autism On The Water for 2024.

In conjunction with Boatfolk’s Rhu Marina, they have also secured favourable berthing for the year, ensuring smooth sailing for all the charity’s endeavours.

Autism On The Water (AOTW) is a registered charity committed to raising awareness of the autistic spectrum through sailing, taking part in some of Scotland’s top regattas. The charity is also geared to helping autistic people access the world of sailing, bolstering their confidence and social skills.

The sponsorship reflects Inland & Coastal’s dedication to supporting organisations that make a positive change in the sailing community and beyond.

“All at AOTW are delighted to welcome Inland & Coastal as our newest sponsor,” says Murray MacDonald, Director and Founding Trustee of AOTW. “Our charity is growing every day and is one of the only charities in the UK that specifically caters for autistic sailing in the UK.”

“The sponsorship from Inland & Coastal has enabled us to secure a reduced marina berth at Rhu Marina for our new Impala 28 race yacht, which we plan to campaign at all the big regattas in Scotland such as the Kip Regatta, Scottish Series, Round Mull race, West Highland Yachting Week and the Scottish Two-Handed Race around the Isle of Man.”

“We are so grateful to our new sponsors, and it’s especially great that we have been able to pair it with the team at Rhu Marina who have supported AOTW for quite some time.”

Sailing for individuals of all abilities

Suzanne Bell at Boatfolk’s Rhu Marina said: “We believe in the transformative power of sailing for individuals of all abilities. By providing AOTW with a marina berth, we’re not just offering a place to dock, we’re providing a home for their mission to flourish.”

“Our collaboration with Inland & Coastal and Autism On The Water underscores our collective dedication to breaking barriers in sailing. By offering a reduced berth rate, we’re extending a welcoming hand to all sailors, regardless of background or ability.”

The partnership with Rhu Marina further exemplifies Inland & Coastal’s dedication to supporting maritime endeavours. By funding the marina berth for AOTW’s race yacht, the pontoon systems manufacturer not only demonstrates its commitment to providing practical support but also underscores the importance of community collaboration.

“It’s a charity close to all our hearts at Inland and Coastal, and we are so pleased to be able to support Murray to ensure he can continue his fantastic work,” says Oliver Shortall, Managing Director at ICMS.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the journey in forging a path towards a more inclusive sailing community, where everyone, regardless of ability, can find their place on the water.”

To find out more about Inland and Coastal’s pontoon ranges and unique decking options visit https://inlandandcoastal.com or email sales@inlandandcoastal.com

Associated Listing:

HRH The Princess Royal Opens Seawork Exhibition

Wednesday, 12th June 2024

HRH The Princess Royal concluded her tour of Seawork by officially opening the exhibition on Tuesday 11 June. She gave a speech that highlighted the importance of investing in the future and careers within the maritime industry.

The Princess stated, ‘The numbers of you here today and that have been coming for the past 25 years rather indicates that this is an important exhibition and conference.’

The Princess spoke directly to the crowd of Seawork exhibitors and visitors, ‘Thank you for the work you do, and the way in which you continue to invest and innovate, and for your support for those who also rely on the sea.’

Her passion for the maritime industry was demonstrated throughout her speech, ‘This is a very interesting and active sector to be involved in’.

The Princess is a patron of Mercy Ships UK, a faith-based international charity that deploys hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need. The Princess commented on how important their work is, especially in the current climate.

Seaplant are attending and promoting the event over the next few days. The Seaplant Magazine will be all around the show and we will be networking and boosting the profile of our advertisers and subscribers.

The latest copy of the Seaplant magazine, featuring the event, can be found here: Latest Magazine – Seaplant

Associated Exhibition:

FreeStar – a new force in Subsea Services

Tuesday, 4th June 2024

A new offshore ROV and subsea services company acquires their first vessel ‘Navicula Star’ to offer a combination of both Vessel and ROV services.

FreeStar Subsea Services is a new company born from the merger of Vriezoo ROV Services and Mark Offshore. The collaboration offers a unique combination of ROV services and survey support services with FreeStar’s own, recently acquired and outfitted vessel, the SSV Navicula Star. While most mid-sized subsea companies specialize in either survey vessel or ROV services, FreeStar’s owners believe that this combination will give the new offshore service provider a competitive edge.

Conception

Founders Mark van der Star and Willem de Vries, developed this concept over the course of several years before having the opportunity to actively and commercially join forces and acquire their first vessel ‘Navicula Star’ from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).

“With the purchase of this vessel, our journey began”, says Mark, who has 25 years of experience as a sailor, shipowner, and both operations and commercial director. “The SSV Navicula Star is equipped with an onboard ROV to quickly respond and save costs at the start of a project. The vessel can accommodate 11 people and is equipped with a crane, 2 davits and an A-frame with several winches, for deploying and/or recovering a variety of loads into or out from the water. The ROV control and survey desk are situated inside at deck level for quick response to the workdeck. With a draft of only 1 meter, it is also capable of beaching. In our view, this makes the Navicula Star the ultimate shallow water vessel.”

ROV and Subsea Services

FreeStar aims to offer a comprehensive suite of subsea services, including bathymetric and geotechnical surveys, cable protection, and burial operations. “With our fleet of 5 offshore and 4 inshore ROV systems and the Navicula Star, we can provide our clients with complete ROV service offerings”, says Willem, who, like Mark, also has years of experience, 16 of which running his own underwater inspection business. ”Safety is our top priority, and our procedures are ISO certified and comply with voluntary ISM standards”.

Innovation and Collaboration

Acquiring a new vessel requires time to fully understand its systems. Therefore, FreeStar Subsea Services engaged TechBinder with their Smart Vessel Optimizer (SVO) to connect all electrical systems and optimize power management. Techbinder’s AI capabilities are instrumental in understanding a vessel’s power dynamics and make data-driven decisions. With the help of the SVO technology, the Navicula Star will be the first 44-year-old vessel to become a truly ‘Smart Ship.’

In terms of ROV and survey services, FreeStar has opted to collaborate with Periplus and their GR:Dit system to map all collected data, web-based, and make it accessible for its customers. GR:Dit is an interactive map enabling users to store and analyse all kinds of spatial geodata. The system provides clients with direct access to the data while the survey and ROV mission are still ongoing.

FreeStar and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance)

Striving for sustainable operations is at the heart of FreeStars’ operation and management. At Vriezoo all ROV operations and its workshop are fully electrified and the company itself has very limited exhaust fumes. The CO2 output is kept to a minimum and avoiding unnecessary exhaust systems in operations is a constant effort. This goal is embedded in FreeStar’s business model.

Although the Navicula Star is a diesel-powered vessel, she will run on biofuel, such as HVO. The SVO technology will constantly monitor the output of exhaust fumes and register the CO2 output of the vessel and later also monitor the entire company, for which this technology is also suited. This will enable FreeStar and its partners to identify energy consumption and reduce it where possible.

Opportunities

Willem de Vries, MD of Vriezoo ROV Services and Co-founder of FreeStar Subsea Services, says: “We are very proud to have taken delivery of the Navicula Star and to have started FreeStar with Mark Offshore. This will elevate our service level and broaden our horizons. I am excited to embark on this new journey and look forward to growing the business in the coming years.”

Mark van der Star, MD of Mark Offshore and FreeStar’s Co-founder, says: “We are shallow draft and offshore specialists. With our own vessel, added with Vriezoo’s underwater inspection service, repair and maintenance capabilities, FreeStar is looking forward to serve our existing and new clients around the globe. I am enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead and look forward to showcase the Navicula Star to our clients. We want to thank NIOZ for their cooperation and the delivery of the RV Navicula. We are very proud to give this beautiful lady a new career!”

Form more information please contact …
Mark van der Star
Managing partner FreeStar Subsea Services
+31 6 1851 8126
mark@mark-offshore.com
https://mark-offshore.com/

Associated Listing:

Freestar Subsea Services

DuroWipers chosen by Harwich Haven for four vessel refit

Wednesday, 22nd May 2024

Of all commercial marine vessels, pilot boats can often lead the hardest lives. These hardy vessels are expected to take to sea at any time of the day or night all year round.

Harwich Haven has four pilot boats, Saint Brendan, Saint Christopher, Saint Cuthbert and Saint Edmund, all built at Holyhead Marine to a design by Camarc were delivered between 2010 and 2013, and are entering their mid-life refit stage.

Choosing the correct windscreen marine wipers for a vessel refit is critical for these kind of boats. Harwich Haven Authority’s (HHA) Marine Engineering Manager Matthew Pearson says “Our pilot vessels travel a total of 48,000 nautical miles each year, from the 01/05/23 to 01/05/2024 Distance travelled was 116,592 nm. Because they work in all weathers in significant wave heights of up to three metres they ship green water over their windscreens as a matter of course. Clearing this water with wipers that work effectively, are reliable long term, and easy to fix and maintenance is a key consideration. Any wiper problem can keep a HHA pilot boat in port.”

DuroWipers Class 90 marine wiper system

HHA selected the DuroWipers Class 90 marine wiper system for the vessel refit, which are driven by a 24 Volt 80NM Bosch Motor. Class 90s also benefit from a compact transfer box for applications where space is limited.

DuroWipers is supplying four sets of three class 90 DuroWipers for each of the pilot boats. Matthew Pearson continues: “Our pilot boats were originally supplied with wipers of European manufacture that were not offering the level of reliability we require.

We went through many sets of these wipers, which in some cases have failed in just 1-2 years. Apart from the cost and inconvenience of our pilot boats being off service, we were also becoming concerned about the carbon footprint of replacement wipers and parts coming from Europe.

We trialled a set of DuroWipers over the harsh conditions of December and January on the Saint Brendan, and placed the order for the other vessels on the strength of their simplicity, strength and reliability. DuroWipers also custom-built the control panels for us which was a useful addition.”

Many marine windscreen wipers are derived from crane or train wipers and are only engineered to deal with rain and occasional spray, lacking the torque, strength and longevity of DuroWipers’ 316 stainless steel dual-powered spindle pantograph designs.

Superior wiper design

Noel Gould, Managing Director at DuroWipers, has a simple philosophy: “Our aim at DuroWipers is to offer a superior product design, built in the UK from superior materials and to a superior level of workmanship. This means we have very few warranty issues with these wipers, and with the very few issues we do get, we support our customers the way we would want to be treated ourselves. We proudly supply marine wiper systems to the Royal Navy and RNLI along with a number of port authorities for their pilot launches. It is always a pleasure to have DuroWipers selected by serious seagoing institutions such as Harwich Haven Authority.”

Associated Listing:

Wescom’s new sMRT V300 Class M Man Overboard Now Available

Monday, 20th May 2024

The new sMRT V300 Class M Man Overboard emergency distress beacon by Wescom Group is now available worldwide. The first public viewing of this important item of marine safety equipment will be at the Navalia Ship Building Exhibition in Vigo, taking place May 21-23 (stand G96).

Emergency Distress Beacon

The sMRT V300 is the latest in the new series of emergency distress beacons from Wescom Group. A commercial-grade man-overboard device, the sMRT V300 offers an extended signalling range to enhance localised man-overboard alerting, locating and recovery.

With automatic water activation technology, audible and visual indicators, and multiple fixing options for life jackets, this exciting innovation of marine safety equipment will be manufactured at Wescom Group’s state-of-the-art facility in Hull, UK.

Real-time location tracking

The innovative features of the sMRT V300 include two-way signalling, real-time location tracking via AIS (Automatic Identification System), a 121.5MHz homing frequency, and the use of DSC (Digital Selective Calling) to alert nearby vessels to call for help. The sMRT V300 represents the latest development in the sMRT commercial distress beacon range, which has served as the backbone of offshore and oil and gas marine safety for over a decade.

The sMRT V300 is also one of the first commercial products on the market designed to meet the new Class M regulation ECC Decision (22)02, which will restrict AIS-only MOB device use of core AIS channels in certain countries from January 2025. Only Class M devices such as the sMRT V300 – those with GNSS and internal DSC receivers – will be compliant with the new regulations.

A step forward for Marine Safety

Wescom Group VP Marine Sales David Duffin stated: “The sMRT V300 is a step forward in man overboard beacon technology building on MRT’s class leading offshore distress beacon range. The sMRT V300 meets the latest Class M AIS/DSC requirements and is easy to fit to lifejackets and has accelerated alerting features including water activation. Following on from the successful launch of the award winning sMRT ALERT MOB, Wescom Group’s electronics division continues to drive safety and security in the harshest marine environments.”

The sMRT V300 costs from £360 RRP and is now available to order worldwide through Wescom Group’s network of international distributors of marine safety equipment.

Associated Listing:

Castoldi launches new high efficiency Turbodrive Waterjet 400HCT

Friday, 17th May 2024

Castoldi, a global leader in waterjet propulsion systems has launched the latest in a new range of hydrodynamically optimised waterjets; the Turbodrive 400 HCT.

Obtaining its name from its 400 mm jet housing, hydraulic gearbox/clutch and high thrust efficiency, the Turbodrive Waterjet 400 HCT is the latest size in a new range of high-tech waterjets. The new propulsion system has been designed using the latest and most advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software.

The Turbodrive Waterjet – 12 Years in the Making

The development of the new family of Castoldi HCT Turbodrive Waterjets started 12 years ago and according to Giacomo Castoldi, owner at Castoldi S.r.l. “Thanks to the very latest developments in fluid dynamics, the new Turbodrive 400 HCT is around 12 % more efficient than the outgoing model and is perfectly interchangeable with it”. Castoldi added: “Refit customers upgrading from the Turbodrive 400 HC to the Turbodrive 400 HCT will be pleased to learn that the bolt patterns have remained the same, removing the need for costly and time consuming structural work around the duct and transom.”

Whether used to increase a vessel’s top speed or allow smaller engines to deliver the same performance for reduced carbon emissions, efficiency is a useful force multiplier which in the case of the Turbodrive 400 HCT has also delivered improvements in acceleration, noise output, maneuverability and speed maintenance through sharp turns.

Double Hydraulic Gearbox

In common with all Castoldi waterjets, the Turbodrive 400 HCT features a durable hydraulic gearbox and multi-disc clutch allowing the drive to be engaged and disengaged without stopping the engine. This is important consideration for the fast ferries, Police, patrol and Search and Rescue boats which make up a significant proportion of Castoldi’s customers.

Castoldi’s gearbox is integrated into the jet casting which not only ensures a compact space requirement but also enables the key benefit of a low-slung driveshaft. Because the driveshaft is underslung below the gearbox on all Castoldi waterjets, it changes the whole geometry of the duct. Not only is the waterjet provided with a low centre of gravity- always of benefit on a boat- the duct is markedly less ramped than competitors’ waterjets, leading to enhanced efficiency of the propulstion system because the water that the jet pumps is neither lifted as far nor requires such sharp changes in its direction of flow.

Weighing in at 509 kg, the Turbodrive 400 HCT includes all essential components such as gearbox, hydraulic clutch, water intake, duct, anodes, and levers. The integrated gearbox offers 21 gear ratios, allowing for precise matching with a variety of engines in its power range.

Redesigned Steering System

Capable of handling up to 882kW (1,200 mHP) of input power, the Turbodrive 400 HCT also features a redesigned steering system ensuring greater precision, further reducing speed loss during turns. Additionally, a new reversing bucket geometry and increased hydraulic power enable prompt and efficient crash-stop manoeuvres.

Exclusive Castoldi Features

The waterjet is equipped with exclusive Castoldi features, including the Clear-Duct unclogging system for superior waterjet duct cleaning that when activated performs the dual action of back-flushing with intake grid opening and a variety of control systems, including the advanced electronic ACES; an intuitive joystick-controlled helming system.

Castoldi has over 60 years of expertise in manufacturing waterjet propulsion systems and is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. The Turbodrive 400 HCT represents a significant milestone in the evolution of waterjet propulsion, catering to the demands of a new era that seeks ever-higher performance without burning more fuel to achieve it.

Associated Listing:

Castoldi SpA

Southbay Civil Engineering receives ICE Robert Stephenson Award

Wednesday, 15th May 2024

Southbay Civil Engineering has received the 2024 ICE Robert Stephenson Small Project of the Year Award for the Dawdon Short Sea Outfall Refurbishment scheme.

Until its closure in 1991 Dawdon Colliery was one of the largest coal mines in the UK, which produced over 1 million tons of coal each year at its peak. Following its closure, the Dawdon Mine Treatment Scheme was constructed in 2016, which protects a vital source of drinking water to approximately 30,000 people in County Durham.

The project involved the refurbishment of the outfall structures used to discharge mine water from the treatment facility into the North Sea.

Due to the aggressive tidal environment, the project involved detailed planning by our experienced team of marine civil engineers, with daily monitoring of weather and sea conditions.

Specialist divers and marine plant in the form of a Jack up Barge, were used to access the outfall structures, which are located in the North Sea. The project included removal of damaged sections of outfall pipe, hydro demolition of the sea bed, placement of sustainable grout bags, placement of precast concrete units, complete with new pipework, and the installation of markers buoys.

The project involved significant collaboration with specialist delivery partners to ensure safe delivery within an unpredictable tidal environment.

The award ceremony was held at The Crowne Plaza in Newcastle. The judges responded to the win saying “This was a hugely interesting project. The design changes and the final impact on the environment were impressive, given the exceptionally difficult site conditions brought about by climate change.”

Managing Director of Paul Stephenson commented “I am delighted that our company was recognised for delivering this extremely challenging project, which required significant pre-planning and relied upon the specialist marine construction experience of our talented site team to safely deliver’.

Southbay Civil Engineering Ltd specialise in marine civil engineering and marine construction and design and build contracts.

Southbay Civil Engineering Ltd projects include:

– River and coastal works
– Jetty, quayside and sea wall repairs
– Reinforced concrete structures
– Steel piling
– Flood defenses
– Bridges
– Civil engineering for marine and non-marine structures

Associated Listing:

Author: Chris

Advertise with Seaplant

Join us