BAM is working in partnership with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), to deliver civil engineering projects associated with the RRS Sir David Attenborough, the UK’s new polar research vessel, commissioned by NERC and operated by BAS for scientific research and logistics projects.

Over the next decade Rothera Research Station—situated on Adelaide Island to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula—will undergo a comprehensive modernisation programme to ensure that its facilities continue to enable world-leading research.

A new wharf is scheduled to be built over two Antarctic seasons, starting in November 2018, in order to accommodate the Sir David Attenborough, and improve boating operations. During the first season, the existing wharf will be removed, and temporary cargo unloading and boat launch facilities will be operated from South Cove. The rear section of the new wharf will be constructed in the first season, then the front section attached during the second year.

RSS has supplied a variety of equipment, including polyester roundslings, webbing slings, chain slings, shackles, chain blocks, jacks, and safety harnesses. It has also provided a Modulift MOD 34 spreader beam with a safe working load (SWL) of 10t at 8.5m (28 ft.) in length.

Martha McGowan, project manager at BAM, explained that the below-the-hook equipment would be used with two 300t capacity crawler cranes and an 80t capacity mobile crane. She added that loads will weigh up to 20t during dismantling of the existing wharf and up to 35t as the steelwork frames to create the new wharf are installed.

McGowan said: “The [RSS] equipment will be used over two seasons, each lasting five to six months starting in November 2018 and 2019 respectively. We can expect to be working in temperatures of approx. 0°C with a -20°C wind chill. A lifting equipment cabin will protect the items from the elements whilst in storage between usages.”