tonybarebones
Well-Known Member
FORENSIC tests and detailed examinations are being carried out on the damaged tidal gate at Watchet Marina after it was successfully ‘floated’ out of position on Wednesday.
A five-strong team of marina staff and local company Exmoor Welding worked for ten hours to remove the gate, using airbags provided by a specialist company.
“It was a precision job and it was a tough day but it’s out and we are delighted that it went so well,” said a marina spokesman.
The operation began on Tuesday and the team worked mostly in the rain to complete the work.
The seven-ton structure was finally craned out of the water and onto the East Quay at about 5pm on Wednesday and was due to leave Watchet yesterday (Thursday) bound for Hunton Engineering in Kent.
“This is the only cill marina gate to have broken in the last 50 years according to the gate designers,” said the marina spokesman.
“It is believed the failure was caused by an object becoming stuck underneath it.”
The gate has been out of action since the beginning of September but marina staff have worked tirelessly to keep the facility open to boats.
The tests and assessments will determine whether the gate can be repaired or will have to be replaced.
All content © of West Somerset Free Press unless stated otherwise.
A five-strong team of marina staff and local company Exmoor Welding worked for ten hours to remove the gate, using airbags provided by a specialist company.
“It was a precision job and it was a tough day but it’s out and we are delighted that it went so well,” said a marina spokesman.
The operation began on Tuesday and the team worked mostly in the rain to complete the work.
The seven-ton structure was finally craned out of the water and onto the East Quay at about 5pm on Wednesday and was due to leave Watchet yesterday (Thursday) bound for Hunton Engineering in Kent.
“This is the only cill marina gate to have broken in the last 50 years according to the gate designers,” said the marina spokesman.
“It is believed the failure was caused by an object becoming stuck underneath it.”
The gate has been out of action since the beginning of September but marina staff have worked tirelessly to keep the facility open to boats.
The tests and assessments will determine whether the gate can be repaired or will have to be replaced.
All content © of West Somerset Free Press unless stated otherwise.
