Port Edgar

IKM Consulting sets sail for Port Edgar Marina as new boat lift project launches

 

An innovative engineering project in South Queensferry is set to transform facilities at the popular Port Edgar marina and sailing school.

 

 

IKM Consulting is currently working to develop a scheme for a proposed boat lift at Port Edgar which will enable a range of boats to be launched from the existing jetties into deep water.

 

 

The area near the Forth Road Bridge is the site of a former naval base and is now home to a popular marina and sailing school run by Edinburgh Leisure, Edinburgh's largest sport and leisure provider.  The development is being upgraded to make the existing facility self-supporting and to enable future commercial development. 

 

 

IKM drilled through the pier as part of an initial phase of ground investigations which is now nearing completion.  The studies have been undertaken in order to assess the condition of the soil, the geological conditions of the area and to ascertain whether the landscape is suitable for a development of the proposed scale.

 

 

Once this phase of work has concluded the next stage of development will begin with piling and engineering design for the installation of a new crane for lifting boats off trailers and directly into the water.

 

 

Neil Chalmers, environmental scientist for IKM Consulting said: "The crane at the end of the pier is out-dated and can only lift about four tonnes which is obviously quite restrictive especially since most modern boats weigh considerably more.

 

 

"The investigation has posed a number of challenges including access issues which we have managed to overcome by drilling through the concrete pier deck as opposed to working overwater.  This land-based investigation is much safer and cheaper as it means we can reduce costs by not having to use barges and safety boats.

 

 

"We have procured the drilling contractor, supervised the ground investigation and drilled boreholes on site to obtain rock core samples which are currently being tested in the laboratory.  When this phase of work is completed the modernisation of the site can commence with the installation of a new hi-tech boat-lift which will be able to lift vessels of up to 20 tonnes."

 

 

Adam Cruttenden, Manager of Port Edgar Marina and Sailing School said: "This is a fantastic development for Port Edgar Marina and demonstrates Edinburgh Leisure's ongoing commitment to constantly improving the services and facilities available to our customers."

 

 

Other potential future developments for Port Edgar include work in support of the new River Forth crossing which will be constructed less than half a mile to the west of the facility.