Walcon Marine has completed a project for longstanding client Guernsey Ports as part of a £1.4 million infrastructure upgrade.
The project involved the removal and replacement of piers D and E in the QEII Marina, a total of 500 metres of walkways and finger pontoons.
“Replacing the D&E pontoons is part of a long-term investment programme designed to modernise and upgrade facilities for our mooring holders,” said assistant harbourmaster Kieran Higgs.
“The project has not only enhanced our facilities, it has allowed us to optimise this area’s layout to specifically address the demand for larger vessels and better serve our customers’ needs.”
Work began in January 2024 with around 120 vessels temporarily relocated or craned out of the water onto hard standing.
Three new supporting piles have been constructed for D&E and the existing piles have been repainted and reinforced in order to provide really sturdy bases for the new pontoons
Guernsey Ports project manager Jenny Giles
The old pontoons, which date back to the construction of the QEII Marina in the 1980s and had reached the end of their design life, were lifted out of the water, and hundreds of metres of modular walkways, platforms and finger pontoons were shipped to the island.
The new ‘System 21’ pontoons from Walcon Marine have a strong and durable galvanised steel structure able to provide berthing to around 100 of the QEII Marina’s largest vessels.
The pontoon system is supported by a network of subaquatic pile structures, generally around 11 metres in height, which are set into large concrete bases to stabilise them.
The installation of the new pontoon infrastructure was overseen by Guernsey Ports project manager Jenny Giles.
“Three new supporting piles have been constructed for D&E and the existing piles have been repainted and reinforced in order to provide really sturdy bases for the new pontoons,” she said.
“Meanwhile, the new pontoons have been constructed on the quayside, before being craned into the water in stages, which then enabled us to apply the fittings, assemble the new runs, and connect them to power and utilities, which are of an excellent standard on the new pontoons.”
