Main feature photo by Adam le Grice
Jenkins Marine are thrilled to be helping the city of Dundee recieve a giant whale-themed canopy to grace the waterfront and commemorate the city’s historical links with the whaling industry. When installed the work will appear suspended as if in flight and swooping towards the Tay Estuary. Artist Lee Simmons designed the sculpture after being selected by a panel of experts, led by Dundee City Council, to feature at the city’s interactive playpark.
The whale sculpture was constructed at Littlehampton Welding having been in the works for the past 18 months. The job now falls to Jenkins Marine to transport the 36-metre, 22-tonne sculpture safely to its destination.
Our 50m flat top pontoon barge JML5014, BV Certified 50m x 14m barge for unrestricted navigation, has the job of moving the two kilometres of marine-grade tubular stainless steel that make up the sculpture. She is assisted by the capable Tugboat DMS Condor a powerful 2509 Damen Shoalbuster twin-screw vessel with 24t Bollard Pull and BV certificated for up to 150 nautical miles from a safe haven. This has been a good project to start her time with us and a good test for her 600m long main tow wire .
The giant sculpture was lifted via a 500 tonne crane onto JML5014 before being secured for its long trip north to Dundee. The harbour at Littlehampton was closed while the delicate operation was carried out under the supervision of the Jenkins Marine team.
You can read more about the artist and this latest piece in the Daily Mail here:
Daily Mail Article: “Whale I’ll Be Blowed!”
Or in the Littlehampton Gazette here:
“Giant whale sculpture constructed in Littlehampton to set sail”
Video of the view from tug boat DMS Condor
…as she tows deck barge JML5014, loaded with the whale sculpture, north to Dundee
Video of the sculpture arriving in Dundee
If you have a requirement for marine operations in shallow or near shore projects, please feel free to get in touch to see where we can help.