Cowes breakwater construction set to start

Cowes on the Isle of Wight is one of the UK’s most popular leisure destination harbours, playing host to numerous racing events and cruising rallies during the summer season. The virtually all year-round leisure activity is partly thanks to the harbour’s sheltered location across the water from Southampton, activity that co-exists alongside a commercial harbour operating high-speed and car ferry links to the mainland and other commercial craft up to 100m in length.

Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) is keen for development to keep pace with demand and the 350m long detached breakwater is the first phase in plans to transform Cowes into a ‘true sheltered harbour’, creating a variety of development and business opportunities for the island. The project is a joint initiative between CHC and the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), both parties funding the work with cooperation from The Crown Estate.

With limited room for significant expansion within the confines of Cowes and the river Medina itself, construction of the detached breakwater is an important element with CHC’s plans to develop a 400 berth marina and surrounding waterfront development at East Cowes. HCA recently began a search for a partner to develop and operate the marina. Visitors arriving at Cowes by ferry will be familiar with the Columbine Building, with the world’s largest Union Flag painted on its doors. The opportunity includes freehold of this iconic building, with its history of hovercraft construction and more recently development of wind turbine blades for Vestas and crew transfer vessels for South Boats.

The first phase of the work, to be undertaken by Boskalis Westminster will create the core structure of the breakwater and is due to commence imminently. The initial construction phase will continue through the summer of 2014, followed by a consolidation period to allow for settlement of the breakwater structure during the autumn, through to the spring of 2015. The contractor will then return to re-dress the core structure and complete construction of the breakwater during the summer of 2015.

Earlier in 2013 and prior to the announcement of funding, minor delays were incurred due to the requirement for investment assistance and government structural and policy changes. Importantly however, the HCA committed itself to finding a funding solution. This confirmation and awarding of the breakwater contract can therefore be viewed as positive news for both providing essential weather protection for the proposed marina and also flood protection for the Cowes area itself.

Another phase of the scheme involves construction of a short extension to the existing Shrape Breakwater. Additional benefits will include improving the availability of Trinity Landing for passenger tenders from visiting cruise ships which are unable to enter Cowes itself.

Cowes Harbour Commissioners are continuing to work closely with design and engineering consultancy Atkins, appointed to project-manage the breakwater. Paul Datson, Head of Capital and Coastal Projects at Boskalis Westminster stated: “Boskalis Westminster is very pleased to have been awarded the prestigious contract to design and construct the detached breakwater at Cowes. Our group has extensive experience around the world in the design and construction of breakwaters and other rock structures, and we are keen to start work on this project that will have such a positive benefit for Cowes.

“With our two major projects in Southampton and our local UK Head Office, we have significant resources in the area and look forward to working with Cowes Harbour Commissioners and Atkins in order to deliver a successful project.”

By Peter Barker