Constructex completed removal of 98 year old lock gates on behalf of

Associated British Ports.
 
In total, 3 timber gates were removed, weighing up to 39 tonnes each.

 

The gates had been in place since installation in 1918 and despite being

non-operational for many years, the main structural timbers were found to

be in remarkably good condition. 
 
Our commercial dive team initially carried out de-silting operations to free

the gates from years of sediment build up. Submersible hydraulic pumps

were required to shift around 25 tonnes of material. Underwater chainsaws

were used to cut out lifting gear attachment points. Once the gates were

prepared, a 350 tonne mobile crane was brought in to carry out the complex

lifting operation. Our dive team remained on site to attach lifting gear and

monitor lifts, with an inflatable buoyancy bag system on standby to assist

re-floating and lifting operations.
 
Support plant and lifting services were provided by Wavetrade and Seaflex.

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