Get the full project package at Seawork

The process takes considerable time and effort and adds financial risk to the contract. There are few more trying circumstances than paying for a workboat while waiting for essential additional plant to arrive.

Marine Construction Services (MCS) was formed to provide a one stop solution to the marine construction and diving sectors. It provides complete equipment packages including vessels, specialist tools and safety equipment. Company directors Gareth Evans and Andrew Baillie have over 50 years experience of marine construction between them and, in conjunction with a training provider, can also deliver site safety training for hired equipment.

The equipment available ranges from modular pontoons and safety boats suitable or inland and inshore inspections and repair works to multicat type vessels for major construction operations. Tools packages include NDT equipment, soil sampling and testing apparatus, hydraulic tools and power packs through to grout pumps. Other more specialist equipment includes diving decompression chambers and surface demand diving systems, diving hot water systems and underwater cutting equipment. The company will provide a complete package to any work site within Europe.

Where a road transportable fast, lightweight dive support vessel was required in Milford Haven, MCS supplied a 14m landing craft fully fitted for diving operations. The use of this vessel allowed operation to be conducted without damage to existing hollow concrete piles that would have been unable to sustain any significant vessel impact.

MCS is developing fully equipped multicat type vessels which will be completely self contained. With systems and equipment built in below deck, there will be much more work space available on deck. The first vessels will be aimed at underwater operations and will incorporate surface supplied diving systems and hydraulic tool systems integrated into the vessel. The 16m by 6m twin hull currently under build by MCS at its Fareham headquarters will be powered by Doosan engines driving waterjets, with a projected launch date in July. Design is now complete for a subsequent 21m craft which will be equipped with two hydraulic knuckleboom cranes.

The company is also involved in developing more effective tools and processes for underwater works and has been carrying out research in conjunction with Cranfield University both into scour problems arising from high speed ferries and into the use of water jet propulsion systems to provide a cost effective alternative to agitation dredging. MCS director Gareth Evans earned his doctorate developing an effective scour protection system which uses interlocking concrete blocks and geotextiles.

Marine Construction Services will be answering queries from everyone who visits their stand at Seawork 2010.