BEDENHAM PIER – MARINE UXO SURVEY

AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2021

BACKGROUND

EODEX were contracted by Jacobs to provide suitably qualified and experienced personnel (SQEP) and specialised equipment to carry out intrusive Cone Penetration Test (CPT) (magnetometer cone) and Sub Bottom Imaging (SBI) surveys at the Bedenham Pier site.

Bedenham Pier is in the Northwest section of Portsmouth Harbour and is the current ammunitioning jetty utilised by the UK MOD to provide explosive stores to Royal Navy vessels.

The UXO surveys were conducted between 11 August – 03 September 2021. The survey works were overseen by an EODEX representative supervising CPT, GPR, Coring, and SBI operations.

The object of the operation was to conduct a full survey to determine the existence of any items buried in the seabed and which would meet the potential UXO (pUXO) criteria and pose a risk to follow on construction works at the site.

SOLUTION

The survey area was divided into 3 separate, but adjacent survey zones which covered the pier, fender piles and the pontoon pile locations with a 30m outer zone around the pier where marine plant could be used within the scope of works.

CPT SURVEY

A total of 48No fender piles, 2No restraint pontoon piles, 16No crane deck piles, and 1No fire pump pontoon pile were surveyed using a 20t excavator mounted CPT rig. In addition, a further 15No existing piles, not being replaced, were surveyed by CPT prior to removal.

SUB BOTTOM IMAGER (SBI) SURVEY

PanGeo Subsea were sub-contracted by EODEX to undertake a SBI survey to distance of 30m around the pier. to enable the placement of marine plant for the forthcoming jetty upgrade works.

SUMMARY

Form the extensive survey through CPT and SBI no targets meeting the pUXO criteria were identified, ALARP certification was subsequently issued. The project was successfully completed ahead of time and under budget. The weather and environmental conditions were good during the operational period and the site area remained in limits for safe survey operations throughout.

Our client Jacobs and the personnel from DM Gosport who were at all times positive and flexible in the assistance offered to EODEX and sub-contractors throughout the operation.

EODEX were very pleased to be of service in this project and look forward to further opportunities, both land and marine, to support Jacobs and their clients in safely managing the UXO risk at future sites.