Inland and Coastal Marina Systems (ICMS) has installed a floating concrete breakwater within the Port of Newhaven, on the UK south coast, to provide safe berthing facilities for crew transfer vessels (CTVs). The upgrade is part of the refurbishment for the operations and maintenance (O&M) base for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm.

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, located within the Port of Newhaven comprising offices, warehousing, berthing and quayside facilities for the wind farm commissioning and maintenance vessels.

Working with civil engineering firm Knights Brown, ICMS designed and installed a 90-linear-metre concrete breakwater with a 1m freeboard, suitable for berthing CTV vessels up to 140T displacement. The floating structure, with external pile guides, has a width of 4.5 metres 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 to the 24/7 operations and maintenance activities of the wind farm,” says Jon Challis, sales manager at ICMS. “We were also pleased to work alongside Taylor Fuel Control, which installed a high quality, environmentally controlled two-position fuel system for the fleet of CTV vessels.”

He adds: “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.”

Manufactured in ICMS’ pre-cast facilities in Banagher, Ireland, the robust and stable concrete pontoon has a 200mm rubber D-fender and 1m 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, all 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 handover to our client,” says 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.”

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