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Berth 50 Pontoons

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  2. Berth 50 Pontoons
DBFL's Role Civil and Structural Engineers
Value €1M
Location Dublin Port
Status Completed

Client: Dublin Port Company

DBFL provided technical support to the project team for the development of a new pontoon system, from the planning stage right through to construction and handover. DBFL provided civil and structural engineering consultancy services as well as coordination of mechanical and electrical requirements for the new pontoons.

Project Overview

A heavy-duty pontoon was required to provide crew members with a safe means of accessing/egressing two of Dublin Port Copany’s 24m harbour tugs; Beaufort and Shackleton. An aluminium walkway spans from the quayside to the pontoon level, with tidal levels, seal level rise, and maximum comfortable gradients considered in design. The pontoon system also incorporates bollards to safely maintain the tugs’ position alongside the berth. The pontoon incorporates its own life-saving equipment and lights with suitable lux levels for night-time operations. The pontoons are also equipped with power, water, and a waste pump-out unit. Previously, foul was removed from the tugs via a suction tanker, at considerable cost to the client.

The Challenges

To avoid piling works, DBFL designed a load transfer system that could be fixed to the existing sheet pile wall, which elimtaed expensive piling works, and negated trigerring a foreshore licenece application. DBFL also designed a new access road, with an automated gate system, fencing, new footpath, and lighting. DBFL also undertook pre-construction condition surveys of the existing buildings on site and the existing quay wall structure via drone survey.

The Outcome

DBFL designed a permanent foul pumping system, including wet well, valve chamber and discharge manhole. A flexible solution had to be developed to account for the tidal movement of the pontoons and articulation of the walkway. A narrow construction window was also necessitated for the rising main, as the outfall is within the adjacent ferry operator’s lands. The pumped foul system has made the export of foul waste from the vessels much simpler and much more cost effective, and avoids the need to frequently bring large suction tankers into the operational space to empty the tugs.

Bill Bates Director Civils Engineer at DBFL

Project Director

Bill Bates

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