Cowes Harbour Commission’s contractors Boskalis Westminster recently began the final stages of works on the Cowes Breakwater project.
According to the CHC, this involves a final reshaping of the breakwater’s gravel core, bringing sections into profile before applying layers of small rock that act as a filter to prevent the gravel migrating out of the core structure.
Following this, a rock armour layer consisting of 300-1000kg rocks will be installed to 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 rock barge will be offloaded by excavators and shovels on the western end and northern side of the breakwater. Excavators located on the breakwater will position the rocks working anti-clockwise, starting on the southern face working to the east and then back along the northern face to the west, bringing the breakwater to its final profile and finished appearance.
The last stage of the Cowes Breakwater project will be completed in October 2015.