Portchester Vessel Removal

Client background

Southern Coastal Group and SCOPAC (Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline) is the Regional Coastal Group for central southern England.

Originally formed as separate groups, SCG and SCOPAC merged in 2020 with the aim of streamlining deliverables in research, policy, the environment and engineering. They now work as one organisation to share and develop research, best practice and resources within the regions.

As a technical group principally comprising coastal managers, planners and others with a knowledge of shoreline management, their primary objective is to be a source of expertise, advice and influence on matters relating to the 648km of coastline between Portland Bill in Dorset and Selsey Bill in West Sussex, including the whole of the coastline of the IOW.

The requirement

When an abandoned, damaged vessel was identified on Portchester shore, SCG and SCOPAC contacted us to request a quote for the dismantling and removal of it.

They needed the vessel to be removed from the shore, safely dismantled for onward transport, with the materials being transferred to a waste disposal facility for the appropriate processing.

Once the client confirmed that they were happy with the quote we provided, we carried out a Risk Assessment and Method Statement, providing provision for any potential hazards and a plan of action for the project.

The solution

Once the Risk Assessment and method Statements were checked and approved by the client, we scheduled the works, which we estimated would take one working day and a team of three operatives. The team consisted of a Site Supervisor/Plant Operator, a Banksman/Lift Supervisor and a Banksman / Labourer.

A tracked excavator (transported on an HGV) was utilised for the removal, and a tipper lorry employed for transporting the vessel after removal from the shore. The following hazards were identified and planned for:

Unloading of the tracked excavator from the HGV on the public highway: All works on the public highway were under the direction of a banksman at all times.
Using plant on the foreshore: The excavator utilised biodegradable oil to minimise the risk of contamination, plus all plant operation was under the direction of a banksman / lift supervisor.
Working within close proximity of the 1.2m sea wall drop: All plant operations undertaken under direction of a banksman / lift supervisor.
Public area: Our team ensured that work isolation barriers and signage was erected and kept secure throughout the works.

On the day, a site meeting was held to brief the team members, who were kitted out in the appropriate PPE.

Preparation
The tracked excavator was unloaded from the HGV and driven down the sea path.

Vessel removal
Due to the poor condition of the vessel, we weren’t able to lift her in one piece. So we towed her back from her beached position and instead peeled her apart like an onion, placing the parts onto our 8-wheel tipper for transportation, using the 9t tracked excavator with selector grab.

Vessel transportation
The vessel parts were then transported to a local licensed materials recovery facility for onward disposal.

Project completion
We then loaded the excavator back onto the HGV lorry and removed the safety barriers and any other equipment.

The outcome

A R Banks Director, Stuart Banks was the Site Supervisor for this project. He said: “The job was a great success, with everything going to plan. The team worked well together, ensuring the process was safe and efficient throughout - all in all, a seamless operation from start to finish.”

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