Work will begin in June on the final stages of construction for the new detached Breakwater for Cowes harbour. Contractors Boskalis Westminster will carry out the final re-shaping and placement of rock armour layers which will provide long-term weather and wave protection. A total of around 45,000 tonnes of rock will be brought from Cherbourg in France and transported by barge to Cowes. The work is due to be completed by October.
Captain Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Harbour Master, said: “2015 is going to be an exciting year on the development front for Cowes Harbour. Completion on the new Cowes Breakwater will realise the Commission’s long-term goal of transforming Cowes into a true sheltered harbour, protecting jobs and businesses and creating a catalyst for further investment, as is already being seen with the proposed new marina and Solent Gateways development projects in East Cowes.”
Permanent navigation aids, fixed beacons and buoys will be put in place before a monitoring and handover period in autumn 2015. An Exclusion Zone marked by lit buoys continues to be in place in order to ensure the safety of navigation during the Breakwater construction and this Exclusion Zone may vary in shape and size during 2015 to accommodate the construction works.
Capt. McIntosh added: “We are mindful of keeping the Exclusion Zone as small as practicable and CHC will work to ensure that any impacts are kept as low as possible during construction. The close cooperation that we continue to receive from yacht clubs, event organisers and other stakeholders in Cowes, is greatly appreciated.”
See cowesharbourcommission.co.uk for further information on the Cowes Breakwater Project.
