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'Deep Diver' stirs interest in
Greencastle
08.01.08
YOU would be forgiven
for thinking they've struck black gold in
Greencastle after a massive oil rig-type structure
was erected 100m offshore.
The barge known as a 'Deep Diver' was installed
recently at the harbour much to the bemusement of
locals and visitors.
But project manager Paul O'Sullivan, an engineer
with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food, yesterday quashed any hopes of cheaper
home-heating bills for the people of Inishowen. |
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He explained that the
rig is a platform to drill holes into the seabed for
ten massive tubular piles as part of the Greencastle
breakwater project.
When constructed, the piles will create ten berths
for local mussel boats at the local harbour. "The
jack-up barge will be there for the next three to
four months to install cylindrical piles for |
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lay-by berths for ten
mussel dredgers," said Mr. O'Sullivan. "The rig
arrived just before Christmas for weather reasons
and drilling will start shortly." The ten tubular
piles are around one-metre in diameter and must be
bored eight metres into rock on the sea floor, then
grounded into position with a mixture of sand and
cement. The 'Deep Diver' has been supplied by
British-based marine construction company Seacore
Ltd., who send their rigs to marina and maritime
projects all over the world. Seacore Ltd., won the
sub-contract when the job went out to tender last
year. |
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