WJ Castle PE & Associates Castle was recently subcontracted by Brayman Construction to perform an inspection and document the underwater conditions at a utility’s proposed site for a diffuser pipe extension.
Using JW Fishers CT-1 cable tracker and PT-1 pipe tracker, Castle’s team of divers searched for a high voltage power cable and pipeline running through the area. Complicating the job was the excessive amount of debris littering the site, including steel plates, beams, and wire rope. Also close by were a seawall, constructed of steel-reinforced concrete and steel plates. Very high concentrations of ferrous metal in the area prevented the use a standard magnetometer, as it would be impossible to locate individual pieces.
The primary advantage of the PT-1 is its ability to pinpoint targets, even in areas surrounded by steel structures. Despite the challenges, diver Greg McGrath reports they were successful in finding both the pipe and cable. The team marked the positions of both, and also determined their approximately depth of burial under the gravel bottom.
Based in Hong Kong is the BEKK Group of Companies, offering a broad range of services in an array of fields, including civil engineering, underground construction, marine engineering, and offshore oil and gas. They have worked on projects from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific Region. Recently the company was awarded a contract to provide marine support, personnel, equipment and materials for the first phase of the offshore wind farm being built for Hong Kong Electric Company. Two of the first pieces BEKK procured to assist in this project are the Fishers PT-1 pipe tracker and Pulse 8X metal detector. Both will be instrumental during the site survey and clearing operations.