McLaughlin & Harvey has completed major engineering works designed to protect critical marine infrastructure at King Edward VIII Pier in Douglas Harbour.

The project involved alterations to the pier, including installing two new large steel piles around the end of the pier and installing three new 100-ton mooring bollards close to the linkspan. Works also included modifying the fenders to prevent the vessel from colliding with the harbour wall.

The improvements were necessary due to the arrival of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s new vessel, Manxman.

While Manxman has been designed specifically for Douglas Harbour and can be berthed and manoeuvred exactly as planned, it is 8m longer and 3m wider than the Ben-my-Chree, the former vessel, and weighs almost twice as much; 24,161 tonnes compared to 12,504 tonnes.

Works also included repairs to the pier wall, and the placement of rock bags to protect the pier from underwater scour caused by the fast-moving water around the vessel’s propellers.

“’McL&H are extremely pleased to have handed over our King Edward VIII Pier Project. The last significant phase included the installation of two large parallel-motion fenders each weighting over 40 tonnes to protect Steam Packet vessels while they undertake manoeuvres in the harbour. The works on the 85-year-old Pier which included new moorings, dolphin piles, platforms, scour protection, quay wall repairs, ladders and lighting allows the new Manxman vessel to operate on the pier and stay in the harbour during high winds. McL&H are very pleased to have delivered this scheme in conjunction with our supply partners on a very tightly congested site while maintaining the current ferry programme and minimising any disruption to existing users of the harbour.”

Gareth Brennan

Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey