We have been commissioned to install a range of environmental units that will provide new marine habitat at Hengistbury Head as part of the ambitious Hengistbury Head Long Groyne Project. This project is a part of a 17-year Beach Management Scheme, with the original 1930’s long groyne being replaced & upgraded between April – October 2024. The groyne is vital to protecting the surrounding headlands and beaches from erosion and sea level rise.

The main project contractors, Boskalis Westminster, approached Jenkins Marine as a long standing local marine partner for marine support, to place these distinctive reef units, weighing approximately 7t each at carefully planned locations off the southern tip of the new groyne.

The vessel required needed to be Something shallow draft, with spud legs to hold position, able to carry a deck cargo of giant reef blocks and stone, and with a suitable lifting capability and the ability to precisely place them on the sea bed.

The solution? To use Jenkins Marine’s 30m long Backhoe Dredger, Doreen Dorward! The dredger works with a 52t extended reach excavator, equipped with a 3D RTK GPS positioning system for high accuracy, spud legs and a selection of buckets and rock grab.

In addition workboat ‘Buffalo’ will be used to tow small 18m pontoon ‘JML 60’ to site to increase the deck cargo capacity and transport the reef blocks, whilst the Doreen Dorward will be able to transport the additional rock on her large deck.

This is an exciting, environmentally positive project to work on which has many technical challenges, and we are working closely with the Boskalis Westminster team to find the best solutions!

You can find out more about the project, it’s progress and aims here: https://twobays.net/project/hengistbury-head-long-groyne-works/

And at:

Hengistbury Head Long Groyne works

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.