Marine engineering in Edinburgh spotlight

Ensuring that advances in coastal engineering continue to be highlighted, ‘Coasts, Marine Structures & Breakwaters 2013’ will provide an international forum for the discussion of the latest developments as well as informed debate.

Whilst retaining the historical coverage on shoreline structures, coastal processes, and design and construction of breakwaters and related structures, the conference will extend the marine energy theme initiated with the 2009 conference; with emphasis on aspects at the civil and coastal engineering interface, such as fluid loadings, resource modelling, interactions with the environment, construction, installation, cabling, servicing and maintenance.

The conference will showcase up to 150 technical papers over three days, covering all aspects of coastal engineering. All papers in this series are rigorously peer reviewed so will have an in-depth technical aspect giving all attendees access to the highest quality information. Papers are available to delegates in advance of the event to stimulate discussion, and papers are discussed in formal proceedings following the event.
In addition to the main session presentations, the ‘Fringe’ will give opportunities for presentations of recent news, continuing research, and developments in progress. Workshops, short courses and technical visits will also be offered as part of the event. Also, a technical exhibition will be part of the conference programme.

A technical visit will be taking place on Saturday 21 September, following the conference. This year it will start with a boat trip on Forth Belle, which will take in the famous Forth Railway Bridge, Forth Road Bridge and the site of the Forth Replacement Crossing, a new Forth Bridge which is under construction. A representative from the Forth Replacement Crossing Contact and Education Centre will be onboard to answer questions. There will be a presentation on the Forth Replacement Crossing, with a focus on foundations and marine works.

Following lunch in Dunfermline, the group will attend a presentation and exhibition at the Fife Renewable Innovation Centre (FRIC) in Leven. They will visit a viewing platform overlooking Fife Energy Park, where Pelamis and Oyster II wave energy devices have been fabricated and where the ground breaking Samsung 7MW offshore wind turbine is currently being constructed. Finally, there will be a visit to the site of the Kirkcaldy Sea Wall upgrade and refurbishment project before returning to Edinburgh.