Boskalis Nordic Today No.02/2018-2019

11 PERSONNEL NEWS | TERRAMARE´S DREDGE MASTER MIKKO MERTANIEMI

the harbour basin was implemented to a minimum depth of -11.365 metres. Along- side the expansion dredging, Terramare also implemented a 32,000 m 3 excava- tion for the slope of a new end quay and ramp, which are included in a second con- tract, bringing the total amount of dredg- ing masses to 56,000 m 3 . The dredging masses were dumped into a separate ba- sin, from which they will later be utilised in a one and a half hectare harbour field to be built at the Port of Raahe’s Lapaluoto Harbour. The work was carried out using Terramare’s high performance backhoe dredger Attila. The dredging masses were transported to the dumping basin with the barges SCG 3 and SCG 4, both of which have a load capacity of 500 m 3 . In addition to the expansion dredging, a new 85 metres long end quay was im- plemented at the deep-water harbour in a separate contract. The new quay includes a 39 metres wide ro-ro stern door ramp to diversify the activities of the deep-water harbour’s main quay. In summer 2018, in parallel with the dredging and levelling work in front of the quay, slipform casting of the quay elements began, leading to the production of a total of 17 retaining quay wall elements, each 12.5 metres high. The elements were lifted and installed into posi- tion with Terramare’s floating crane Nosto- Pekka. The tops of the elements installed in the quay line are anchored to the harbour field. On completion the quay will be deliv- ered to the client fully equipped. The new quay section, equipped with a ramp, will also serve, in addition to loading activities, as an auxiliary quay for tugs operating in the basin.

TEXT & PHOTO: MARKKU SALONEN

PRECISION AND ALERTNESS THE KEY ISSUES ON A DREDGING VESSEL

T he backhoe dredger Attila, which has been busy in summer and au- tumn 2018 in Raahe, Kalajoki and Turku, is a familiar work vessel for Dredge Master Mikko Mertaniemi . “Although I’ve worked on many dredg- ers, I could say that the Attila is my home vessel. Over the years, I’ve come to know its character and technology like the back of my hand. It’s a suitable and effective unit for a wide variety of projects,” says Mikko. Mikko has worked in the marine construc- tion industry for over 20 years, and in that time mostly for Terramare. “I’ve always been fascinated and moti- vated by technology, and when I got to know about marine construction, I was attracted not only by its machinery and equipment, but also by its special charac- ter and challenges,” explains Mikko. “In addition, the varied projects in Fin- land and abroad, as well as periodic work, also seem to suit me well. Periodic work means that you work on average for 2-3 weeks and then have the same time off. With that schedule, both at work and on leave, you have enough time to achieve something,” says Mikko with a smile. With a dredging vessel, the dominant element is water and the challenges it

presents. The conditions are in many re- spects different from construction on land. “Working on water is a world of its own in terms of weather and conditions. Moni- toring the wind as well as fluctuations in sea level and temperature is an essential part of the daily routine. On a dredging vessel, the key issues for safe and effec- tive work are precision and alertness, and a readiness to act immediately as the situation demands. You have to constantly know where you are and what is happen- ing. Of course, information technology helps out with this. As a dredger operator you can’t see directly what’s happening when dredging under water, or sometimes even what’s going on around you. So the control cabin’s monitoring systems, loca- tion devices and virtual displays help the work go smoothly, and other screens show the surrounding water traffic,” says Mikko, who up to 2009 also worked as an opera- tor on a dredger. “Thus, over the years, I’ve learned in par- ticular to value working with reliable top professionals. A good team spirit creates a motivating atmosphere in which it’s great to embark on new projects – with enthusi- asm,” concludes Mikko.

The first LNG-powered vessel, M/S Haaga, arrived at Raahe’s deep-water harbour in October 2018. The vessel is a 160 metres long, 26 metre wide ice-strengthened ship, with a draught of 10 metres. The second LNG vessel to be served at the harbour is the M/S Haaga’s sister ship M/S Viikki.

INTERNATIONAL MARINE EXPERTS | BOSKALIS AREA NORDIC | WWW.BOSKALIS.COM/NORDIC