Site investigations set scene for FRC project

Billed as the largest infrastructure project in the UK for this decade, the Forth Replacement Crossing is crucial to keeping Scotland’s transport network flowing.

During this second deployment, Fastnet Shipping was employed by the main construction contractors FCBC (Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors Consortium) to supply and operate a jack-up barge and safety boat for the third round of marine site investigations on the Firth of Forth.

All works were completely carried out onboard Fastnet Shipping’s modular jack-up barge Fastnet Jack 1 over a period of three and a half months in both 2011 and 2012.

Working directly for main contractor FCBC, the data that was obtained thoughout the investigation will be used to complete and finalise any design changes before heavy construction of the supporting towers and piers starts.

Fastnet Shipping and its crews are no strangers to the Forth Replacement Crossing Project and the highly demanding work required. This was the company’s second deployment on the project. Fastnet previously worked during the first round of marine investigations, where it provided all marine plant , towage, crew transfers and full marine support and coordination.

During this latest deployment, Fastnet demobilised , transported and remobilised its barge, crew and equipment from a project in southwest Ireland to the Forth and had the operation up and running in less than 72 hours .

Due to the demanding local conditions on site during Fastnet’s initial deployment, the company’s barge Jackup had to be modified to suit local ground conditions. Its legs were increased from 34m to 42m in order to combat leg penetrations of 18m in very soft silts and in 22m of water very close to the main shipping channel at the location of the south tower.