Following a winter monitoring and settlement period of the new breakwater’s gravel core, Cowes Harbour Commission’s contractors Boskalis Westminster will return today, February 25th 2015, and continue with the project.
Boskalis will carry out a week’s re-shaping work using the same plant as last year, an excavator and the Doreen Dorward barge. As part of the February works, the company will also carry out further surveys to determine that settlement of the core material into the subsoil is as predicted and in accordance with construction plans.
At the end of May, Boskalis will mobilize again to start the final phase of this 18-month project. The slopes of the gravel core will be brought into profile and then in mid to late June, the placement of the rock armor protection will commence, which should take approximately three months. Finally, permanent fixed aids to navigation will be placed on the breakwater.
The result in October 2015 will be a 350 meter long, detached rock armored breakwater that protects existing homes, businesses and harbor users and that enables the continued regeneration of East Cowes and the further economic benefits that brings to the Island.
Source: CHC