Jenkins Marine are currently back at the historic pier at Swanage, Dorset where some of the original timber piles and associated structures need replacing to allow continued safe use. We have successfully completed piling works for the pier over several years, including emergency work to the pier in 2013 following strong winds and rough seas that year which damaged the mid-section so badly it was near collapse.

This time round Jenkins Marine’s specialist piling barges, Avon (26m x 9m) and Stour (26m x 9m) are on site to carry out the work. Renewal of a number of wooden piles and cross members throughout the wooden structure is required. This involves the careful removal of decking and beams to permit the old piles to be extracted, then the new ones being driven into the seabed, before the beams and the decking are replaced.

Avon and Stours’  large working deck areas are able to easily accommodate piling equipment and materials. Precision and care around the historic structure are vital and both vessels are fitted with twin spud legs for highly accurate positioning and poweful deck cranes for lifting operations.

The pier originally opened to traffic on March 29th 1897 having cost £10,000. The first steamer, the P.S. Lord Elgin landed people on May 1st 1896. The 642ft (195m) pier was fully restored after falling into disrepair in the 1960s.

After  £1m restoration, it reopened in 1998 and pre-covid attracted more than 100,000 visitors a year  This followed successful works by Jenkins Marine to repair the North landing stage in 2010 for use by the famous Waverley steam liner.

This is a challenging project requiring work around the historic structure with heavy equipment without causing any damage. Jenkins Marine are proud to have been asked to attend to the historic pier again and to help the ongoing work to preserve this piece of local history. You can find out more about the restoration at Swanage Pier Regeneration Project

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.