The end of April 2018 saw WaveWalker 1 successfully complete it’s scope of works for the Hinkley Point C Power Station jetty. After working on site in the Bristol channel since November 2016 and walking over a total distance of 8km, WaveWalker 1 took her final steps and then departed the site to tow to Portbury, in order for the vessel to demobilise.

All project equipment, a full drilling spread and pile gate, was demobilised from WaveWalker 1, along with the 32 accommodation units for crew members.

After a very quick and successful demobilisation, WaveWalker 1 then departed Portbury on the 5th May to commence work on her next exciting project, the details of which will follow shortly!

Progress on the £18bn project to install two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point C is well underway. The site beside the Bristol channel is due to be in service in 2025, and WaveWalker 1 has been on site to support the initial stages of the development.

In order to deliver the necessary construction materials to the Hinkley site, a 500m long jetty is being built which will allow 80% of aggregates to be delivered via sea transport. The new jetty is being built in a very challenging environment, as the Bristol Channel has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world. However, the terrain and tidal conditions meant that traditional floating rigs and self-elevating working platforms (SEWPs) were not suitable.

This is where WaveWalker 1 provided the ideal, innovative solution. The 8-legged, self-contained walking jack-up was able to provide a secure, effective platform from which to construct the jetty. Walking a total of 8km during the project, WaveWalker 1 was perfectly suited to navigate the 13m tides that rise and fall in the channel.

WaveWalker 1 undertook the pile installations from the top of the beach down to the intertidal area.

Time and tide really did wait for no man. The independent walking ability meant that work was able to continue around the clock, regardless of the state of the tide, as the vessel could walk on land up the beach making the relocation easy for the installation of the piles at the top of the beach. On site there are areas with a protected type of seaweed – Corallina Officinalis. WaveWalker 1 was able to work carefully around the foreshore stepping around the ecological sensitive areas.

For this project we were able to fit the vessel with af ull drilling spread, pile gate, and 32 man accommodation units, effectively transforming the platform into a walking construction island. It’s been fantastic to have been part of this exciting development, and to see WaveWalker 1 supporting the future of energy production in the UK.

A huge congratulation to Nick Puttick who has received full accreditation by IJUBOA (International Barge Operators Association) as a Jack Up Bargemaster for WaveWalker 1.

WaveWalker BV have now received confirmation following the visit of the warranty surveyor, Mr. Christopher Mallett of LOC, that Mr. Puttick reaches the required IJUBOA standards to be accredited as a Jack Up Bargemaster whilst working for a WaveWalker BV vessel and in full charge of the jack up barge WaveWalker 1.

The IJUBOA assessment of Bargemaster Competence is currently the only scheme available that accredits the skills and knowledge of working bargemasters. The assessment is made against set of criteria designed by IJUBOA in consultation with barge operating companies and industry experts.

It takes the form of a one day on site assessment by a competent person approved by IJUBOA. The assessor will use a mixture of observation, questioning and discussion with both the candidate and their line manager to decide whether the master can be deemed competent to operate the barge safely. If this is the case the assessor will endorse Section 5a of the IJUBOA Official Logbook and issue a formal report to the barge master, their employer and IJUBOA. Mr Puttick’s IJUBOA Blue Book has now been duly stamped and signed by Mr Mallett on behalf of IJUBOA.

WaveWalker BV would like to congratulate Nick on receiving this well deserved accreditation.