Bristol Survey Contract for Fathoms
Integrated subsea service specialists, Fathoms of Langport, Somerset, has been awarded a three-year contract by Bristol City Council for swathe bathymetry studies of the City Docks and sectors of the River Avon. It follows earlier work by the company at the beginning of last year covering pre and post-dredging surveys.
To be staged in two parts, the inquiry will first look into the ‘dry’ industrial park, business centre and transport aspects of the proposals before switching to the waterside dimension, which will require a Harbour Empowerment Order. Permission is also required under the Transport and Works Act to run double-tracked rail line to the site.
The contract covers annual surveys of all main dock areas as well as the feeder canal and some six miles of the River Avon. Fathoms says it has already completed the first tranche using its new survey craft, Elliann. Since the enclosed nature of the docks within the city and the terrain through which the Avon flows hindered the use of conventional navigation techniques, it was necessary to adopt Differential GPS methods of positioning. The company adds that this first swathe survey, carried out with a SEA Series 2000 interferometric system, is the most detailed so far produced for Bristol City Council.
The Bristol contract follows recent completion of a six-month survey project by Fathoms in Scotland on behalf of Highlands & Islands Enterprises for the proposed European Marine Energy Test Centre, involving detailed seabed mapping of three areas in and around Hay Sound, Orkney.
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